TCU co-offensive coordinator Curtis Luper to join Missouri staff
TCU co-offensive coordinator Curtis Luper is on the move after all.
Luper confirmed he will join the staff at the University of Missouri on Wednesday night. It’s unclear what Luper’s official title will be with the Tigers, although it’ll at least be co-offensive coordinator and possibly the sole offensive coordinator.
At his introductory news conference on Dec. 10, Missouri’s first-year coach Eliah Drinkwitz said he’d handle offensive coordinator and play-calling duties.
Signs pointed toward Luper returning to TCU for an eighth season early this week when he didn’t land the University of New Mexico head coaching job.
But things are always subject to change and Mizzou made a push in the last couple of days. Luper and Drinkwitz spent time together at Auburn, as each were on Gene Chizik’s staff at Auburn when it won the national championship in 2010.
Luper was the running backs coach at Auburn from 2009-12, while Drinkwitz served as the quality control coach in 2010-11.
Luper’s son, Chance, a three-star receiver out of Fort Worth Christian, received an offer from Missouri earlier Wednesday. Chance has been committed to Boise State.
For TCU, Luper’s departure opens up an opportunity for coach Gary Patterson to bring in another offensive assistant. It’s unclear who may be on Patterson’s short list to fill the role.
Luper joined TCU as wide receivers coach in 2013, and was promoted to co-offensive coordinator prior to the 2017 season. He played a critical role in bringing NFL-caliber talents such as Jalen Reagor, Darius Anderson and Ross Blackock to Fort Worth.
Prior to coming to Fort Worth, Luper had stints at Auburn (2009-2012), where he helped land 2010 Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton, and his alma mater Oklahoma State (2005-08).
Luper was a running back at Oklahoma State in the 1980s, playing with future Hall of Famers in Barry Sanders and Thurman Thomas.
This story was originally published December 18, 2019 at 9:01 PM.
