Josh Heupel knew he had his work cut out for him when he left the University of Central Florida to become the 27th head coach in Tennessee football history earlier this year. From scratch, he constructed a coaching staff for both sides of the ball while keeping the Vols in the mix for some of the most sought-after high school recruits in the country.
On top of that, there were players already in Tennessee’s program that needed inspiration and motivation for the upcoming season. If Heupel’s goal was to win over the locker room and begin changing the culture on Rocky Top, it appears so far he’s doing just that.
Spring practice for Tennessee football doesn’t begin until March 23. However, since Heupel arrived on campus in Knoxville, returning players have been showing up in droves for offseason workouts. The Vols’ new coaching staff has capitalized on the time outside of pads to instill a team-wide mindset of accountability, trust and family with a light emphasis on X’s and O’s.
1. Set The Example
— Josh Heupel (@coachjoshheupel) February 12, 2021
2. Hold the Teammate to Your Left & Right to The Same Standard
Love Attacking ONE Day at a time with this team! #GBO https://t.co/8JD0EYyiBG
At times, the new Heupel culture on Rocky Top has looked a bit ridiculous on the surface. Last week, we wrote about the team going through blindfolded motions as a way to build trust with one another.
The attending players have also played dodgeball and participated in a team-building exercise that involved construction, logistical planning, and execution. Don’t believe us? Here’s some of what the team’s social media accounts have shared.
In loving memory of Patches O'Houlihan 🧡 pic.twitter.com/GcXLwECLS8
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) February 5, 2021
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If Jeremy Pruitt’s teams played paintball, which was quite cool, and Butch Jones’ team fell on helmets and injured themselves, then it looks like Heupel’s practice legacy so far is summer camp activities. But that’s not at all a bad thing.
In fact, all signs point to Heupel’s unorthodox methods of team chemistry building as a major step towards connecting the team and bringing winning football back to Knoxville. When recently asked about his offseason workouts and how players have responded to the new leadership, he had a few interesting things to say.
"“The level of buy-in has been phenomenal from our players. The accountability factor, those guys wanted it, they’ve bought into it, they’re trusting the process of getting ourselves prepared to go compete during spring ball. We call this our ‘First Quarter’ of the offseason here, the strength and conditioning side of it and starting to get some installs as far as what we’re doing in all three phases of the game as well.”"
Until the Vols are in pads executing those X’s and O’s, we’re left with social media clips and quotes to predict how Heupel’s first season will go. However, maybe players smiling and getting along right now is all we should need to see.
You can’t win games without a motivated group of talented players. Tennessee football has always had the talent, and now it appears they have a coach willing to prioritize the bond a team needs to succeed.