'We need more of that in college football' – National analyst makes big statement about Josh Heupel that Vols fans will appreciate

National college football analyst and former Oklahoma Sooners beat reporter RJ Young made a statement about Tennessee Vols head coach Josh Heupel this week that UT fans will appreciate.  Young, who has known Heupel since the UT head coach's days as an assistant coach at Oklahoma, said on his podcast this week that Heupel is […]

Zach Ragan Tennessee Volunteers News Writer
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Josh Heupel
BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

National college football analyst and former Oklahoma Sooners beat reporter RJ Young made a statement about Tennessee Vols head coach Josh Heupel this week that UT fans will appreciate. 

Young, who has known Heupel since the UT head coach's days as an assistant coach at Oklahoma, said on his podcast this week that Heupel is one of his "favorite coaches for a number of reasons". 

"Josh Heupel was one of my favorite coaches for a number of reasons," said Young on the Adapt & Respond with RJ Young podcast. "But there's one [reason] in particular. When I was new on the (Oklahoma) beat, covering the beat for Rivals, I remember him having (QB) Trevor Knight and them going to an offense that was featuring 11 and 12 personnel. And they were doing some things in zone read that I just didn't always think was cool or would work. So I would ask him, like, dead ass football questions. Like, 'Hey, he's not really reading that mesh, he's not really reading that end, what are you coaching him on?'"

"And he took time to say, 'Hey, look, sometimes it's feel, sometimes it's getting guys reps. He's running something we didn't ask him to run before he got here. We're going slow.'"

"Josh didn't have to take time to explain to me why his offense was suffering or not suffering, and it certainly came on later that year, but he did," continued Young. "And anytime that a person is nice to you when they don't have to be, it shows you their character and who they are. There are a lot of things that are going to be said about Josh Heupel. There are a lot of things that probably could change about Josh Heupel. But that aura that he has is one of honesty, authenticity, and sincerity. We need more of that college football."

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That's probably the biggest compliment that Heupel can receive from a national analyst. Authenticity is absolutely necessary for any coach to sustain longterm success in college football. Players seek through fake promises and insincere coaches. 

Heupel, however, has developed a reputation for being authentic — and that never goes out of style on the recruiting trail.