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Tennessee football hires Josh Heupel: Five reasons this could work

By Caleb Calhoun

Oct 19, 2019; Orlando, FL, USA; UCF Knights head coach Josh Heupel watches the scoreboard during the second half against the East Carolina Pirates at Spectrum Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 19, 2019; Orlando, FL, USA; UCF Knights head coach Josh Heupel watches the scoreboard during the second half against the East Carolina Pirates at Spectrum Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 1, 2018; Charlotte, NC, USA; A Tennessee Volunteers helmet is seen pregame before the game against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 1, 2018; Charlotte, NC, USA; A Tennessee Volunteers helmet is seen pregame before the game against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Ties across the country

It’s no secret that being able to recruit is a big deal regardless of the sport and regardless of the coach. When it comes to Tennessee football, that ability needs to go national, particularly given the fact that high school talent within the state is not as good as other SEC rivals who play the Vols every year.

Josh Heupel may bring those connections. Obviously, he played for the Oklahoma Sooners, but he then coached there from 2006 to 2014. As a result, he likely has lots of ties to Big 12 country, particularly in Texas, where lots of the recruiting is done for OU.

The first on-field coaching role for Heupel was coaching tight ends with the Arizona Wildcats in 2005. He then served as offensive coordinator of the Utah State Aggies in 2015. As a result, he has ties to Pac-12 country, which could prove useful.

Then there are the past five years. Heupel spent two with the Missouri Tigers as offensive coordinator, so he’s familiar with recruiting SEC country, and he now has been a head coach for three years at the largest school in the state of Florida. Simply put, his connections go everywhere, and that should be a boost in recruiting.

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