Tennessee Volunteers head coach Josh Heupel enters his fourth season with minimal pressure, according to a major publication. After reshaping football in Knoxville over the past three seasons, Heupel has positioned the Volunteers for significant success.
In his first season, Heupel led the team to a 7-6 record and a loss in the Music City Bowl to Purdue. Since then, the Volunteers have gone 17-6 and produced several NFL prospects. Now, with the College Football Playoff expanding to twelve teams, Tennessee is poised to challenge for its first berth in the playoff field. Typically ranked between No. 9-14 in preseason polls, a few key regular season games will be crucial for their playoff chances.
The University of Tennessee has long searched for a coach to restore its football program, and Heupel has delivered. His stock is at an all-time high, as reflected in a preseason “pressure” ranking by On3 Sports. Writer Jesse Simonton ranked each SEC head coach by the pressure they face this season, placing Heupel at No. 13, ahead of Oklahoma’s Brent Venables, Mississippi State’s Josh Lebby, and Texas A&M’s Mike Elko.
“Though some scoffed initially at Tennessee’s decision to hire Josh Heupel, he’s proven to be the right man to lead the Vols back into national relevancy,” Simonton wrote. “Following the program’s historic 2022 season, Tennessee still won nine games last fall despite inconsistent quarterback play.”
With 5-star recruit Nico Iamaleava now under center and the return of top SEC pass rusher James Pearce, Tennessee is set to vie for a CFP spot this season. The Volunteers face Alabama at home again this fall, but games against Florida and Kentucky may be even more crucial for Heupel to cement Tennessee’s new standing in the SEC.
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