Tennessee players react to the hire of head coach Josh Heupel
Josh Heupel is the new leader of the Tennessee football program.
While that’s not a name many Vol fans likely saw coming, they will soon learn that Heupel brings an exciting brand of offense to Rocky Top which should be a welcome sign following the offense witnessed the previous three seasons in Knoxville.
“I am thrilled to be coming to Tennessee,” Heupel said in a released statement. “I understand that Volunteer fans are hungry for a return to the top that they so richly deserve, and it is my goal and commitment to bring a championship back to Rocky Top.”
Heupel’s offenses at UCF all ranked in the top 10 nationally in scoring offense eighth in 2020 (42.2), fifth in 2019 (43.4) and sixth in 2018 (43.2). He also has experience in the SEC running Missouri’s offense.
The Tigers ranked No. 125 nationally in total offense prior to hiring Heupel and ranked No. 8 nationally in total offense two seasons later before he took over the UCF program. Heupel’s final Mizzou offense also led the SEC in scoring.
Following the coach’s hire in Knoxville, a handful of players have weighed in on the hire.
Senior cornerback Alontae Taylor
We got what we needed not what outsiders THOUGHT we needed!
— Alontae Taylor (@taeetaylor) January 27, 2021
Freshman QB Kaidon Salter
Let’s Ride #gbo
— k7 (@KaidonSalter_7) January 27, 2021
Junior QB Brian Maurer
https://twitter.com/maurerera_2/status/1354432894467510279?s=20
Freshman WR Julian Nixon
https://twitter.com/JulianNixon11/status/1354431233984524288?s=20
Sophomore DB Doneiko Slaughter
https://twitter.com/Neikoslaughter/status/1354431431062253568?s=20
Certainly taking it better than the fans, at least.
He had Drew Lock putting up 5-6 TD’s a game vs non conference opponents but was average against SEC competition. TN hasn’t had a QB worth a crap since Peyton was there.
This hire was a poor man’s Eli Drinkwitz
Say what? The poor man’s what?
Crack is whack.
In UT’s defense, Tee Martin was there since Peyton.
Honestly this is about as good of a hire as they were going to get. If he can see the program through the coming storm and stabilize it to respectability again then that would be a win.
It is a long road back but as an institution Tennessee is certainly capable of getting back. The biggest hurdle isn’t Florida or Georgia or even Bama however…it is the UT fanbase.