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Tennessee football: Five things promoting Kelsey Pope to WR coach means for Vols

By Caleb Calhoun

Oct 2, 2021; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Cedric Tillman (4) celebrates with wide receiver JaVonta Payton (3) after scoring a touchdown against the Missouri Tigers during the second half at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 2, 2021; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Cedric Tillman (4) celebrates with wide receiver JaVonta Payton (3) after scoring a touchdown against the Missouri Tigers during the second half at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 6, 2021; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Jalin Hyatt (11) reacts after he is called out of bounds on his run into the end zone during the second quarter against the Kentucky Wildcats at Kroger Field. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 6, 2021; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Jalin Hyatt (11) reacts after he is called out of bounds on his run into the end zone during the second quarter against the Kentucky Wildcats at Kroger Field. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Relationships with players

The term players coach seems outdated, but as a former national championship All-American quarterback from this century, Josh Heupel is naturally going to be one of those guys. As a result, he’s also going to hire guys who have the same type of abilities to connect with players, and that’s exactly what he got in a guy like Pope.

According to Adam Sparks of the Knoxville News Sentinel, a good relationship with go-to wideout Cedric Tillman was a big selling point for Pope’s promotion. Tillman, though, isn’t the only player who can validate naming him receivers coach.

When Heupel told the players last week that Pope would have the role, they all celebrated and welcomed him with open arms. It was pure jubilation similar to how Notre Dame Fighting Irish players notably acted when Marcus Freeman was named head coach to replace Brian Kelly. Just check out this video of them reacting to the news.

Taking all this into account, Tennessee football clearly has another players coach. For better or for worse, that’s something Heupel is naturally going to value. After all, Burns, like Pope, was a wide receiver in college ball during the 2010s. This is the profile Heupel wants for this role.

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