Assistant Coach; Coordinator join Utah State University Football

Josh Heupel has been named assistant head coach, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach; Kevin Clune was named defensive coordinator.

Josh Heupel

Heupel has coached in 11 bowl games during his professional career and has been a part of six conference championships. He also was the runner-up for the Heisman Trophy and led Oklahoma to the 2000 BCS National Championship as a senior quarterback.

Josh Heupel, who has 10 years of coaching experience including four as a coordinator, has been named Utah State's [University] assistant head coach, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach it was announced Friday [Jan. 23, 2015] by Aggie head coach Matt Wells. Heupel replaces Kevin McGiven who was recently named the quarterbacks coach at Oregon State.

In all, Heupel has coached in 11 bowl games during his professional career and has been a part of six conference championships. He also was the runner-up for the Heisman Trophy and led Oklahoma to the 2000 BCS National Championship as a senior quarterback.

“What Utah State University and its alumni base have done in the last decade stepping up financially and giving themselves an opportunity to compete at the highest level year in and year out is something I wanted to be a part of,” said Heupel. “Utah State has been competing for championships and the program has a lot of momentum, and I know its brightest days are ahead.

“I’ve known Matt Wells for a long time and he is a man with a strong set of values, and he instills those values into the student-athletes he comes in contact with every day. He epitomizes everything that is good about collegiate athletics.”

Heupel comes to Utah State after spending the last nine years coaching at his alma mater Oklahoma, including serving as the team’s co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach the past four seasons, and its quarterbacks coach during his first five years.

During his time at Oklahoma, Heupel mentored numerous quarterbacks including Sam Bradford who won the 2008 Heisman Trophy and was the No. 1 pick in the 2010 NFL Draft. Heupel also coached Landry Jones who won the Sammy Baugh Award as the nation’s top college passer in 2010, and Trevor Knight who was the 2014 Sugar Bowl Most Valuable Player.

“We are very excited to add Josh Heupel to our coaching staff,” said Wells. “Josh brings a tremendous pedigree and accomplishments to Utah State and the offensive side of the ball. Our philosophies are very similar in how to move the football and I’m looking forward to a seamless transition this season with our offense. I’m excited to welcome Josh, his wife Dawn, and their two children to the Aggie football family.”

This past season, Oklahoma’s offense led the nation in sacks allowed (0.69 pg), and led the Big 12 and ranked 10th nationally by averaging 261.2 rushing yards per game, which is the best output by OU since 1991. OU also ranked third in the Big 12 and 20th in the nation in scoring (36.4 ppg), and fifth in the Big 12 and 23rd nationally in total offense (464.7 ypg), marking the eighth straight year the Sooners topped the 400-yard barrier.

With Heupel calling the signals of a balanced Oklahoma offensive attack in 2013, the Sooners led the Big 12 by averaging 223.9 rushing yards per game and averaged 423.0 yards of total offense. Despite three different quarterbacks seeing action over the course of the season, the Sooners registered an 11-2 campaign, culminating with a 45-31 win against Alabama in the Sugar Bowl. Oklahoma finished the 2013 campaign with a plus nine turnover differential and was plus 72 in points off turnovers in 2013, while also leading the Big 12 in time of possession (32:18).

In 2012, Oklahoma ranked fifth in the nation in passing (336.5 ypg) and 12th in total offense (497.9 ypg) as Jones became the Big 12's all-time leader in passing yards and total offense. Jones also finished his career third all-time in passing yards (16,646) and fifth all-time in touchdowns (123) in FBS history.

In 2011, Heupel’s unit finished fourth nationally in both total offense (512.3 ypg) and passing offense (349.4 ypg). Jones ranked third in the nation in total offense in 2011 after finishing second in the nation in passing yards in 2010 when he won the Sammy Baugh Award as the nation's top college passer. Jones led all FBS freshman with 26 touchdowns after Bradford was lost to injury in the 2009 season opener.

In 2008, Heupel tutored Bradford, who won the Heisman, Davey O’Brien and Sammy Baugh Awards, after throwing for 4,720 yards and 50 touchdowns with just eight interceptions and leading the nation in passing efficiency. Heupel also presided over an NCAA-record string of five straight 60-point games during the season.

Prior to being a full-time assistant at Oklahoma, Heupel spent the 2005 season as the tight ends coach at Arizona as the top two tight ends for the Wildcats combined for 31 receptions for 346 yards and eight touchdown receptions that season.

Heupel began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Oklahoma as he helped the Sooners to the 2004 (Sugar Bowl) and 2005 (Orange Bowl) national championship games.

Heupel, who prepped at Aberdeen (S.D.) High School, began his collegiate playing career at Weber State where he redshirted in 1996 and played in four games as a freshman in 1997. He then spent his sophomore season at Snow College in Ephraim, Utah, where he passed for 2,308 yards and 28 touchdowns.

Heupel then spent his junior and senior seasons at the University of Oklahoma, as he was the runner-up for the Heisman Trophy as a senior in 2000 as he led the Sooners to an undefeated regular season and a national championship victory against Florida State in the 2001 Orange Bowl. As a senior, Heupel was named the Associated Press Player of the Year, the Walter Camp Award winner, the Archie Griffin Award winner and a consensus All-American. Overall, Heupel was OU’s first consensus All-America quarterback and first Oklahoma quarterback since 1971 to earn All-America honors.

During his two years at Oklahoma, Heupel posted a 20-5 record as the starting quarterback as he passed for 7,456 yards with 53 touchdowns. Overall, Heupel still ranks among the top three quarterbacks all-time in school history in passing yards (7,456), completions (654) and touchdowns passes (53) despite playing just two seasons.

Following his collegiate career, Heupel was drafted in the sixth round of the 2001 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins.

Heupel, a native of Aberdeen, S.D., earned his bachelor’s degree in business marketing from Oklahoma in 2001. Heupel and his wife, Dawn, have one daughter, Hannah, and one son, Jace.

Josh Heupel File
 

Coaching History:
2015 Utah State - Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
2011-14 Oklahoma - Co-Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
2006-10 Oklahoma - Quarterbacks
2005 Arizona - Tight Ends
2004 Oklahoma - Graduate Assistant

Bowl Games:
Oklahoma (11) - Suger Bowl, 2014; Cotton Bowl, 2013; Insight Bowl, 2011; Fiesta Bowl, 2011; Sun Bowl, 2009; BCS Championship, 2009; Fiesta Bowl, 2008; Fiesta Bowl, 2007; Holiday Bowl, 2005; Orange Bowl, 2005; Sugar Bowl, 2004.

Conference Championships:
Oklahoma: Big 12 (6) - 2012, 2010, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2004.

Playing Experience:
1997 Weber State - Quarterback
1998 Snow College - Quarterback
1999-2000 Oklahoma – Quarterback

Education:
2001 Oklahoma - Business Marketing

Family:

Wife - Dawn; Daughter – Hannah; Son – Jace

Kevin Clune

Clune spent this past season as the defensive coordinator at Hawai'i and the previous five years as the linebackers coach at USU

Kevin Clune, who has 12 years of coaching experience including seven as a coordinator, has been named Utah State's defensive coordinator it was announced Friday [Jan. 29, 2015] by Aggie head coach Matt Wells. Clune replaces Todd Orlando who was recently named the defensive coordinator at Houston.

“I’m really looking forward to returning to Utah State and the opportunity to work with so many of the players and coaches I have in the past,” said Clune. “Utah State football has great momentum and I hope to continue leading the young men of the program to even greater achievements.”

Clune spent this past season as the defensive coordinator at Hawai'i, as the Rainbow Warriors defense gave up 26.8 points and 418.2 yards per game, an improvement from the 2013 season, when Hawai'i allowed 38.8 points and 494.7 yards a game.

Clune previously spent five years at Utah State (2009-13) as its linebackers coach, helping the Aggies to three-straight bowl games and a 2012 Western Athletic Conference championship.

“I’m really pleased that Kevin Clune is returning to Utah State as our defensive coordinator,” said Wells. “Kevin has a tremendous amount of experience with our defense in terms of both terminology and daily operations, and his transition into this position will be very natural.

“Kevin did a tremendous job at Hawai'i improving that defense and I have great confidence that he will continue to do special things here with our Aggie defense moving forward.”

Prior to serving as Hawaii's defensive coordinator for the 2014 season, Clune spent the previous five years (2009-13) as Utah State’s linebackers coach were he coached all-conference linebackers Bobby Wagner, Jake Doughty, Kyler Fackrell and Zach Vigil. Wagner was a three-time first-team all-WAC selection and concluded his career with 446 tackles, ranking first all-time in league and school history.

During the 2013 season as Utah State’s linebackers coach, the Aggie defense ranked first in the Mountain West and seventh in the nation in scoring allowing just 17.1 points per game, the second-fewest allowed by an Aggie defense since 1971. USU also ranked first in the Mountain West and eighth in the nation in rushing defense (106.7 ypg), its fewest allowed since 1968, first in the Mountain West and 12th in the nation in total defense (330.9 ypg), and first in the Mountain West and 15th in the nation in passing efficiency defense (113.2).

Utah State’s 2013 defense also ranked sixth in the nation in the red zone, allowing opponents to score just 68.9 percent of the time, including just 19 touchdowns, to rank second nationally. Furthermore, USU’s defense ranked seventh in the nation in forcing three-and-outs with 5.6 per game, while its 7.6 tackles per loss per game ranked 10th nationally. USU's defense also ranked 11th nationally in third-down conversions at 32.6 percent.

Utah State’s defense finished the 2013 season holding five of its final seven opponents to 14 or fewer points and did not give up more than 24 points in its last seven games. USU also played in back-to-back-to-back bowl games for the first time in school history and won just its third bowl game ever in 2013.

Utah State was also the only team in the nation not to allow a touchdown run of 10 or more yards in 2013, and allowed just two 100-yard rushers, while limiting its opponents to just 13 points following 16 turnovers.

During the 2012 season, Clune helped Utah State’s defense rank among the top 15 in the nation in five different statistical categories, including being ranked first in the Western Athletic Conference and seventh in the nation in scoring defense (15.38 ppg). USU also ranked second in the WAC and tied for sixth nationally in sacks (3.23 pg), first in the WAC and 10th in the nation in pass efficiency defense (104.43), second in the WAC and 13th in the country in rushing defense (113.77 ypg), first in the WAC and 15th in the nation in total defense (322.08 ypg), and first in the WAC and 32nd in the nation in passing defense (208.31 ypg).

Utah State’s defense also led the WAC and ranked second in the nation in red zone efficiency at 63.6 percent allowing just 13 touchdowns and 15 field goals on 44 trips inside the 20, while blocking two field goals, intercepting six passes, recovering one fumble, and turning the ball over on loss on downs seven times.

Utah State’s defense also ranked eighth in the nation forcing 5.08 three-and-outs per game in 2012, while ranking 21st nationally in third down efficiency at 32.88 percent (73-222).

In 2011, Clune helped Utah State lead the WAC in total defense (366.2 ypg), ranking 50th in the nation, as well as ranking second in the league in both rushing defense (127.7 ypg) and tackles for loss (5.9 pg). The rushing defense also ranked 31st in the nation, an improvement of 57 spots from 2010, while the total defense's ranking was an improvement of 52 spots from its 2010 national ranking. The Aggies also were second in the WAC in opponent third-down conversions in 2011 as their opponents converted just 69 third downs on 195 attempts (.354).

Clune came to Utah State after four years as Weber State’s defensive coordinator (2005-08), helping the Wildcats to a share of the 2008 Big Sky Conference title and advancing to the quarterfinals of the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs.

During the 2008 season, Clune’s defense was fourth in the Big Sky in total defense (363.9 ypg), as well as leading the Big Sky in pass defense (208.4 ypg). Weber State also led the league in pass efficiency defense (109.4), which ranked 17th in FCS.

Under Clune, Weber State's defense was ranked second in the Big Sky in both 2006 and 2007. The 2007 Wildcat defense yielded an average of just 348.4 yards per game. WSU also ranked first in the league in pass defense (212.2 ypg) and third in rushing defense (136.2 ypg).

During his tenure at Weber State, Clune coached 15 all-Big Sky Conference winners, including nine in 2008 and a second-team All-America in 2005 in Brady Fosmark.

Clune also served as defensive coordinator at Southern Utah in 2003 and 2004 until joining the Weber State staff in 2005.

While at Southern Utah, Clune mentored outside linebacker Nick DiPadova, who earned second-team NCAA Division I-AA All-American honors in 2004 and was honorable mention in 2003. Marques Harris also earned third-team NCAA Division I-AA All-American accolades in 2004 as well.

Clune was a graduate assistant coach on the Utah staff in 2001 and 2002 working with both the running backs and linebackers. He also spent time on the football staffs at Occidental College and Fullerton Junior College coaching the defensive line and linebackers as well as the special teams coordinator. Clune also coached at Dos Pueblos High School and Palma High School.

Clune was a defensive lineman at Fullerton JC for one year and spent one season at the University of San Diego.

Clune earned his bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from Cal State Fullerton in 2000.

Kevin Clune File

Coaching History:
2015 Utah State - Defensive Coordinator
2014 Hawai'i - Defensive Coordinator
2009-13 Utah State - Linebackers
2005-08 Weber State - Defensive Coordinator
2003-04 Southern Utah - Defensive Coordinator
2001-02 Utah - Graduate Assistant
2000 Occidental College - Defensive Line
1996-99 Fullerton JC - Special Teams Coordinator/Linebackers
1993-94 Dos Pueblos (Calif.) HS - Linebackers
1991-92 Palma (Calif.) HS - Defensive Line/Receivers

Bowl Games:
Utah State - Poinsettia Bowl, 2013; Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, 2012; Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, 2011

Conference Championships:
Utah State - WAC, 2012; Weber State - Big Sky, 2008.

Playing Experience:
1990 San Diego - Linebacker/Defensive Lineman
1995 Fullerton JC - Defensive Lineman

Education:
2000 Cal State Fullerton – Kinesiology

Additional Aggie sports news is available at the Athletics website.