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COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) New Missouri coach Barry Odom hired Josh Heupel as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Thursday.
Heupel (HIGH-pull) is finishing his first season as assistant head coach/offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Utah State and will join the staff after the Aggies play in the Idaho Potato Bowl on Tuesday against Akron. The school will release contract details at a later date.
''I've known him for a long time and have always respected him highly, as a player, a coach, a recruiter and a coordinator,'' Odom said in a statement. ''I've been impressed by the offenses that he runs, they're very difficult to defend, and his achievements speak for themselves.''
Heupel has been a part of 13 bowl teams and six conference championships since beginning his coaching career in 2003, including 11 seasons at Oklahoma. He helped mentor Heisman Trophy winners Jason White (2003) and Sam Bradford (2008) at Oklahoma, and Landry Jones won the Sammy Baugh award in 2010 as the nation's top passer.
Heupel started at quarterback on Oklahoma's 2000 BCS championship team and finished second in Heisman Trophy balloting.
''I am very grateful to Coach Odom for this opportunity,'' Heupel said. ''I believe in the vision that he has for this program.''
