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Josh Heupel on Tennessee avoiding bowl ban: ‘I’m really excited about the outcome’
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Josh Heupel told ESPN on Friday that he was pleased to learn Tennessee will not be subjected to a bowl ban for infractions committed by the program in the past.
A bowl ban was not part of the list of punishments doled out by the NCAA on Friday. The Vols committed “hundreds” of violations during Jeremy Pruitt’s tenure in Knoxville, the NCAA said.
And while Tennessee will face some consequences moving forward — including recruiting restrictions — it won’t involve a postseason ban.
Heupel told ESPN’s Pete Thamel the outcome is a “huge relief.”
“You don’t know until today what it’s actually going to be,” Heupel told ESPN. “It’s hugely important that our players were protected and the future players were protected as well. I’m really excited about the outcome.”
Heupel said he was “certainly pleased” with the outcome, as a bowl ban would have punished “innocent” players who are active at Tennessee.
“The logical thought is, how are you going to punish innocent people and innocent kids,” Heupel told ESPN. “I’m certainly pleased with the outcome. For people, it’s the right decision.”
Tennessee will now move forward following the 2+ year investigation. Despite dealing with self-imposed scholarship and recruiting limits to begin Heupel’s tenure, the Vols are coming off of their best season in more than 20 years.
Tennessee went 11-2 last season and is expected to be competitive in the SEC East again in 2023.
The Vols open the 2023 campaign against Virginia on Sept. 2.
Spenser is a news editor for Saturday Down South and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.
