Josh Heupel has shown during his time at Tennessee that he can build a consistent program capable of competing for playoff spots. He’s done a really strong job recruiting, including one of the top classes in the country last year, and helped guide Tennessee into the College Football Playoff in 2024. He’s one of the best offensive minds in college football, and adding Jim Knowles only strengthens the staff even more.
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In light of this, Tom Fornelli and CBS Sports ranked the top coaches in college football, and Heupel came in at No. 19.
Fornelli said, "It's not a strong argument, but an argument can be made that Heupel's 8-5 mark in 2025 was more impressive than his 10-3 mark and playoff berth in 2024. Given the losses the Vols team had, both natural (draft departures, injuries) and otherwise (The Nico Saga), there was potential to see them bottom out in 2025. It didn't happen, and Heupel deserves plenty of credit for that.2025 rank 16 (-3), High 15, Low 26."
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I think overall this ranking is fair, but I don’t think Josh Heupel is a better coach than SMU's Rhett Lashlee and Houston's Willie Fritz, who are ranked ahead of him. If Tennessee were in the Big 12, they would likely be dominating the weaker conference, but oh well. However, they are in the SEC and have to deal with the toughest schedule in college football every year playing the Georgias, Texases, and Alabamas of the world. Not Kansas State and Cincinnati.
Although I do think Fornelli makes a great point that last year was a very impressive coaching job by Heupel. Maybe even more impressive than the year they made the playoffs in 2024. The Vols lost Nico in the middle of spring, and Josh Heupel was still able to steady things and save the season.
This potential underrated ranking sets up a big opportunity for Heupel to rise in next year's ranking.
I think if Josh Heupel can have a big season this year, he could jump into the top 10 coaches. If Tennessee makes the playoffs, it would likely be because of his coaching, especially with his hire on defense with Jim Knowles and his aggressive approach in the portal, adding big-name defensive talent. It would also mean Tennessee had a strong offense with a freshman quarterback, whether it's Faizon Brandon or George MacIntyre, which fits Heupel’s system well. That kind of season could push the Vols into the top 10.
However, there is also a chance he takes a big fall if Tennessee doesn’t perform this year. Two straight seasons without winning double-digit games would likely drop Josh Heupel out of the top 20, and maybe even the top 25.
All in all, it's a pretty fair ranking for Heupel, but he can prove all the haters wrong and rise to where he should be this seaosn if the Vols have a big year.
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