There’s a lot riding on this upcoming season for the Tennessee Vols. Josh Heupel wants to make another run to the College Football Playoff, but it won’t be easy with a brutal SEC schedule and a likely freshman starting at quarterback.
Spring football hasn’t changed Vegas’ outlook on Tennessee’s national championship odds
With that in mind, the yearly anonymous coach quotes from Athlon Sports are making the rounds, and the Vols definitely caught some heat, especially about the quarterback situation. But despite the criticism, there’s still a ton to like about this Tennessee team. Right now, most of the outside chatter feels more like offseason noise than anything else.
One coach said, “Without a veteran quarterback in that system, you don’t feel the same energy and excitement around that program."
The offense as a whole also recieved some shots.
Another coach said, "The last time they were extremely potent was when [OC Alex] Golesh was there.”
Anonymous Coach Comments on Tennessee in Athlon Sports CFB Magazine
— SEC Mike (@MichaelWBratton) May 19, 2026
“Without a veteran quarterback in that system, you don’t feel the same energy and excitement around that program."
"The last time they were extremely potent was when [OC Alex] Golesh was there.” pic.twitter.com/N6XkDmG0tA
The anonymous quotes about Tennessee could not feel more wrong
I mean, okay? In 2024 Heupel made the College Football Playoff with Nico Iamaleava as a freshman quarterback, so who says they can’t do it again? Nico wasn't exactly lighting it up either, in fact, the Tennessee team is built similarly to the 2024 squad. They will lean on the run game and, hopefully, a much-improved defense with Jim Knowles now in town.
Plus, Faizon Brandon and George MacIntyre are not just random walk-ons, either. Brandon was a five-star recruit, while MacIntyre was a highly rated four-star prospect coming out of high school. If either player lives up to his potential, the Vols absolutely have a chance to make the Playoff again. There is a lot of buzz around the program, and this is just noise for sure.
Make no mistake, yes, Joey Aguilar was a veteran quarterback, but he truly thrived in his only season in the Tennessee football system. While he had far more college experience than Faizon Brandon or George MacIntyre, he was also learning an entirely new scheme and still managed to lead the SEC in passing yards during the regular season. Josh Heupel puts his quarterbacks in good situations no questions asked.
The criticism involving Tennesse's offense and Alex Golesh honestly made no sense to me. It almost feels like something that came straight from the Auburn staff.
Tennessee still finished eighth in the country in points per game and 15th in yards per game, but apparently that’s supposed to be disappointing now? I guess, unless your offense is putting up 2019 LSU numbers every week, people are never satisfied. It was just a really weak criticism, and quite frankly not smart at all.
At the end of the day, these anonymous quotes are mostly just a way for coaches to take shots at each other and stir up fan bases. Tennessee still has plenty to be excited about heading into next season, even with some question marks at quarterback.
Regardless of the outside criticism, the Vols will have a chance to compete every single week and prove the doubters wrong.
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