How Josh Heupel brought some much needed self awareness to the Tennessee Vols this week
The Tennessee Vols football program hasn't always done the best job when it comes to shooting down rumors. In 2012 and 2017, Tennessee allowed the Jon Gruden to UT rumors to reach a fever pitch, even though there was little evidence that the "Grumors" were legitimate. A simple statement, or a comment to a reporter, […]
The Tennessee Vols football program hasn't always done the best job when it comes to shooting down rumors.
In 2012 and 2017, Tennessee allowed the Jon Gruden to UT rumors to reach a fever pitch, even though there was little evidence that the "Grumors" were legitimate.
A simple statement, or a comment to a reporter, would've silenced the rumors. Instead, the rumors built to a crescendo and eventually ended with disappointment (though in retrospect it was a good thing that Gruden never landed in Knoxville).
On Tuesday, we received a sign that Tennessee is dedicated to handling these rumors differently moving forward.
When Lincoln Riley left Oklahoma on Sunday to become the new head coach at USC, speculation started almost immediately that Vols head coach Josh Heupel — a former Oklahoma quarterback and assistant — could leave Rocky Top for Norman.
In the past, the speculation would've likely continued until Oklahoma hired a new head coach or Heupel signed an extension.
Heupel, however, quickly put an end to the speculation this week.
According to The Athletic's Joe Rexrode, Heupel wasn't scheduled to do any interviews this week.
But on Tuesday morning, Heupel appeared on "The Erik Ainge Show" on WNML in Knoxville and answered a question about the Oklahoma job.
"We absolutely love Tennessee and believe what we are building here and can’t be happier and more excited about what we are going to do next year and in the coming years,” said Heupel.
It's obvious that Heupel (or someone at UT) was aware of the rumors and decided that a public comment was needed.
This isn't how Tennessee usually handles these situations.
It's certainly refreshing to see some self-awareness from the football program. Heupel appreciates the Vol fan base — he makes it a point to always praise the fans. So it makes sense that he'd want to put something out there to dispel any rumors that he might leave UT after just one season.
Tennessee has competent leadership in athletic director Danny White. It feels like things are changing for the better in Knoxville…..finally.
Featured image via Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK
