Tulsa Names Keopple to Football Coaching Staff
1/10/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
Jan. 10, 2002
Tulsa, Oklahoma - The University of Tulsa appointed Bill Keopple (Kep-ple) as an assistant football coach today announced Head Coach Keith Burns. Keopple will coach the defensive line for the Hurricane.
Keopple, 43, coached the defensive line at Arkansas for two years (1999 and 2000) when Burns served as defensive coordinator for those two seasons. Keopple returns to the coaching ranks after being in private business for the last two years.
While at Arkansas, Keopple helped the Razorbacks register a 9-3 mark and Citrus Bowl appearance in 1998, and a year later posted an 8-4 record and made an appearance in the 2000 Cotton Bowl.
Before his appointment at Arkansas, Keopple spent the 1997 season as the defensive line coach at Boise State under Houston Nutt. Prior to that, Keopple coached 14 years at Central Arkansas. He first served as a graduate assistant in 1982, and a year later began a 13-year stint as offensive line coach. Keopple assumed the duties of offensive coordinator in 1990, a position he held for six years (1990-95).
During his coaching stint at Central Arkansas, the Bears won three NAIA national championships and 10 conference titles. Keopple helped UCA post an overall 117-28-6 record during his coaching tenure. Following his stint at UCA, Keopple spent the 1996 campaign as head coach at Newport (Ark.) High School, where his team posted an 8-3 record and made an appearance in the state playoffs.
"It will be great to have Bill and his family as part of TU football. Bill was our defensive line coach at Arkansas, so it's great to have someone that I've worked with before, and know what to expect. I believe Bill will have a great impact on improving our defense," said Burns.
A native of Little Rock, Arkansas, Keopple earned his bachelor's degree in physical education and health in 1982, and a master's degree in physical education in 1986, both from the University of Central Arkansas.
He and his wife Marsha have two children: son Landon and daughter Brittany.
