Landry Jones Joins Josh Heupel’s Coaching Staff at Tennessee: A Reunion of Sooner Legends
Former Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Landry Jones is taking his first step into coaching by reuniting with his college mentor, Josh Heupel, at Tennessee. According to a report from Volquest, Jones will join Heupel’s staff as an offensive analyst, replacing McKenzie Milton, who recently departed to become the quarterbacks coach at UCF under his former head coach, Scott Frost.
A Partnership Rekindled
Jones and Heupel share a storied history. Heupel, a former quarterback himself, served as Jones’ quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator at Oklahoma during the 2008-2012 seasons. Under Heupel’s guidance, Jones became one of the most prolific passers in Sooners history, amassing 16,646 yards and 123 touchdowns over his four-year tenure as QB1.
“Josh Heupel played a pivotal role in my development as a quarterback,” Jones said in a statement. “The opportunity to reunite with him and contribute to Tennessee’s success is incredibly exciting.”
A Stellar Playing Career
Jones’ college accolades include being a Second Team All-Big 12 selection in 2010 and 2012. Following his time at Oklahoma, he was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fourth round of the 2013 NFL Draft. Over seven NFL seasons, Jones served primarily as a backup for teams like the Steelers, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Oakland Raiders.
In 2020, Jones played in the XFL under former Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops, leading the Dallas Renegades.
First Steps in Coaching
The offensive analyst role at Tennessee marks Jones’ first foray into coaching. Heupel has a track record of giving his former quarterbacks their initial opportunities in coaching, and this move underscores that tradition.
Jones will work alongside Tennessee offensive coordinator Joey Halzle, another familiar face. Halzle was in the same quarterback room as Jones at Oklahoma during Halzle’s senior year. After graduation, Halzle began his coaching career under Heupel at OU, serving as an offensive quality control coach.
Heupel’s Coaching Tree
Heupel’s own coaching journey began under Oklahoma’s legendary coach Bob Stoops, who hired him as a graduate assistant in 2004. Heupel quickly rose through the ranks, becoming co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach by 2011. However, their partnership ended in 2014 when Stoops fired Heupel—a decision that caused a rift between the two.
Since then, Heupel has established himself as a successful head coach, first at UCF and now at Tennessee. Under his leadership, the Volunteers have become a competitive force in the SEC.
The Oklahoma-Tennessee Connection
The reunion between Heupel and Jones comes in a season where Tennessee defeated Oklahoma 25-15 in the Sooners’ inaugural SEC game. The Sooners will face the Volunteers again on November 1 in Knoxville for a much-anticipated rematch.
For Jones, this role represents not just a professional milestone but also a chance to shape the next generation of quarterbacks under the guidance of one of the most innovative offensive minds in college football.
“Tennessee has a bright future,” Jones said. “I’m honored to be a part of this journey and to help Coach Heupel build something special.”
