Josh Heupel will be without a top staffer as his Tennessee team gets ready to face Clemson in the Orange Bowl.

Alex Golesh has departed his post as Tennessee’s offensive coordinator to be the new head coach at USF. Heupel said it’s a positive reflection of the UT program.

“Yeah, certainly losing Alex is something that we’re excited about,” Heupel said during his Orange Bowl media availability. “I think it speaks to the growth inside of our program. When I say that, just that the success that we’re having on the field, the style of play, the culture that we have inside of our building, for him to have an opportunity to go run his own program is one that I and the staff are excited for him to have that opportunity.”

As far as handling Golesh’s departure for the game and recruiting, Heupel said that will be addressed soon.

“In the coming days we’ll understand how we want to fill that out on the recruiting trail, then as we get into game preparation as well. Excited for him,” Heupel told reporters. “Again, I think it speaks so well to what our players and staff has done in a short amount of time here at Tennessee.”

Golesh was with Heupel at UCF before following the coach to Tennessee, giving him some Sunshine State familiarity for rebuilding the Bulls.

[H/T On3]