Vols head coach Josh Heupel mentioned as option for open college football job
Tennessee Vols head coach Josh Heupel was mentioned this week by Football Scoop's John Brice as a potential option for the Auburn Tigers. Auburn is looking for a new head coach after firing Bryan Harsin on Monday. Harsin, who arrived at Auburn after the 2020 season, went 9-12 in less than two seasons with the […]
Tennessee Vols head coach Josh Heupel was mentioned this week by Football Scoop's John Brice as a potential option for the Auburn Tigers.
Auburn is looking for a new head coach after firing Bryan Harsin on Monday.
Harsin, who arrived at Auburn after the 2020 season, went 9-12 in less than two seasons with the Tigers.
Brice mentioned Heupel as a potential outlier in the Auburn search.
A pair of potential outlier names but coaches who continue to increase their brands and value are UCLA’s Chip Kelly and Tennessee’s Josh Heupel, an early frontrunner for national coach of the year for Heupel’s near-instant turnaround of the Volunteers’ dumpster fire he inherited in January 2021.
And a sidenote there, Heupel had emerged as a potential target for Auburn after it moved on from Malzahn, but the Tigers opted instead for Harsin, Tennessee athletics director Danny White turned to Heupel after his first couple candidates rebuffed the Vols and then Malzahn was hired at UCF to replace Heupel.
Still, one high-ranking college inside told FootballScoop Monday afternoon, “If I’m Josh Heupel’s agent, I would make a heavy run [to get Heupel involved at Auburn].”
I'm sure Auburn will give Heupel's agent a call. But I imagine Heupel will be receiving a lot of calls this off-season. That's something Tennessee fans will have to get used to as long as he's in Knoxville and having success. It's not a bad problem to have.
But as far as Heupel actually being a serious option for Auburn?
I just don't see it. For starters, I think Lane Kiffin will be the Tigers' top target.
But mostly, I just can't imagine Heupel wanting to leave Tennessee as he's got the program rapidly moving in the right direction. Why start over at a place like Auburn that's become a mess with booster involvement?
Remember, it was just a couple of months ago that Vols athletic director Danny White threw major shade at Auburn.
White and Heupel are obviously very close and I'm betting they share the same opinion of what's happening at Auburn.
Beyond that, I think Heupel genuinely loves Knoxville. And I think he loves the Tennessee traditions and the incredible fan base.
There's no doubt that Heupel's salary is going to increase again this offseason, but it will be money well spent. And I don't foresee the Vols (thanks to Danny White) losing Heupel because of money.
I don't think there's anything to worry about here if you're a Tennessee fan.
Featured image via Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
