Josh Heupel talks Thanksgiving plans, praises his seniors ahead of Senior Day

Thursday will bring the Thanksgiving holiday and Tennessee coach Josh Heupel was in a festive mood at his weekly press conference Monday.

The 1st-year Volunteers head coach opened his remarks by wishing everyone in attendance a Happy Thanksgiving and went on to say that he would be having a number of players who wouldn’t be able to make it home for the holiday over to his house Thursday.

Heupel on Thanksgiving tradition: “I’m going to have about 25 people in this week, but my wife will take care of most of that. This weekend blends two of my favorite things: family and football.”

— Jack Foster (@jackfostertv) November 22, 2021

Heupel also said that Saturday’s regular season finale at home against Vanderbilt would be emotional, as all Senior Days are.

He added that he was especially proud of how well the seniors on this team bought in when he came in as the new coach.

Heupel says sometimes with a new coach the older players are reluctant to buy in: "That hasn't been the case at all in our program."

— Ryan Schumpert (@rschump00) November 22, 2021

Tennessee’s game with Vanderbilt on Saturday is set for 3:45 p.m. EST and will be televised by the SEC Network