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Missouri Football: Offensive line job is Jon Cooper’s to lose

By Eric Quackenbush

LINCOLN, NE - OCTOBER 30: The Missouri Tigers line up along the goal line against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during second half action of their game at Memorial Stadium on October 30, 2010 in Lincoln, Nebraska. Nebraska Defeated Missouri 31-17. (Photo by Eric Francis/Getty Images)
LINCOLN, NE - OCTOBER 30: The Missouri Tigers line up along the goal line against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during second half action of their game at Memorial Stadium on October 30, 2010 in Lincoln, Nebraska. Nebraska Defeated Missouri 31-17. (Photo by Eric Francis/Getty Images) /
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On Tuesday, the Missouri Tigers gave former Oklahoma and Minnesota Viking center, Jon Cooper, the chance to coach the Tigers’ offensive line.

Missouri has two weeks to prepare for its bowl game against Texas on Dec. 27, but there have been a couple of changes for the Tigers, since winning their season finale at Arkansas.

In the span of the last couple of weeks, former Tigers’ offensive coordinator Josh Heupel accepted a job offer to become Central Florida’s next head coach, and took former offensive line coach Glen Elarbee with him.

In an interview with Dave Matter of the St. Louis Post, Head coach Barry Odom seemed largely unaffected by Elarbee’s decision to take join Heupel at UCF, presumably as offensive coordinator, and has since filled the team’s offensive line vacancy. However, Odom was not pleased with how the team found out.

Missouri Tigers Football
Missouri Tigers Football /

Missouri Tigers Football

"Glen Elarbee, I found out this morning, he made the decision to go with him. I’m a little indifferent about that one. I know this: I met with the offensive line. I met with the offense. They’re determined to go finish this the right way. We’ve got a lot of really good coaches around here that care about their kids and their word means something. That means something to me. There’s ways to handle things in this business and ways not. I was surprised (the players) learned the way they did."

I’m not sure if this job would be considered interim, or temporary with a chance to become full-time. My supposition would be the latter, as the team has confidence in Cooper’s ability, while Cooper certainly has the background qualifications.

In another interview with Matter, Tigers’ right tackle, Paul Adams, spoke highly of Cooper’s qualifications and drive to win.

"He’s been through all of this as a player and a coach. He’s gone to the next level, so he knows what’s in our best interest. He knows us personally. He knows exactly what it takes to motivate each and every one of us. He’s a great coach. I’m excited for these next couple weeks with him."

During the 2007-08 season, Cooper played center for the Sooners, with current Vikings quarterback, Sam Bradford. The Sooners defeated the Tigers in the Big 12 Championship that year.

Over the last couple of weeks, the Tigers needed to fill offensive and defensive coordinator vacancies, as well as offensive line and defensive secondary. Currently, Odom has to fill the vacancies at offensive coordinator and defensive secondary.

Next: Missouri preparing for Texas Bowl

After naming defensive secondary coach Ryan Walters to defensive coordinator, Odom didn’t take long to promote Cooper from offensive analyst to offensive line coach. If Cooper’s bowl game audition goes well, then it could mean he’ll be a more permanent fixture on the sideline for Missouri.

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