One thing that college football's coaching carousel has taught us this season is that nothing is for certain until the name has been signed on the dotted line. That said, all indications are that OU assistant offensive coordinator Kevin Sumlin will be leaving Norman to become the next head coach of the Houston Cougars. The University of Houston has scheduled a press conference today at Noon to make the announcement.
What does this do to Oklahoma's preparations for West Virginia in the Fiesta Bowl? My thoughts are very little. At Oklahoma Sumlin's responsibilities were coaching receivers and coordinating the passing game and I have full confidence that both of those will go on successfully in his absence.
The rumors are that Josh Heupel will promote up to co-offensive coordinator and take over Sumlin's passing game responsibilities while continuing to coach the quarterbacks. Josh knows a thing or two about the passing game and is one of the "young up and comers" in the coaching ranks.
Where the loss of Sumlin is going to hurt the most is in recruiting and coaching the receivers. Juaquin Iglesias and Malcolm Kelly have both blossomed under Kevin Sumlin's tutelage and he should be given full credit for it. In recruiting he was the Sooner coach who hit the Houston area and has several established relationships with coaches and programs there.
I would guess that if the Heupel rumor is true then the Sooners will just hire a receivers coach but in my opinion the priority must be reestablishing a presence in the Houston area for recruiting.
Thank you for your time at Oklahoma Coach. We wish you all the best at Houston!