National media outlet ranks top 35 CFB coaches; where Tennessee's Josh Heupel lands
247Sports ranked the top 35 coaches in college football this week, including Tennessee Vols head coach Josh Heupel
Tennessee Vols head coach Josh Heupel proved last season that he's one of the top head coaches in college football.
In just two seasons, Heupel took the Vols from rock bottom — coming off a 3-7 season while under NCAA investigation is a terrible situation to inherit — to College Football Playoff contender.
Tennessee's surprising 11-2 season in 2022 put Heupel very much in the national spotlight.
Vols fans already view Heupel as an elite coach. But how is he viewed by the national media?
Based on recent coach rankings from 247Sports, they also think he's elite.
247Sports ranked the top 35 coaches in college football this week and they listed Heupel at No. 10.
From 247Sports: With a win over Clemson in the Orange Bowl, Tennessee nearly finished inside of the AP's top five for the first time since 2001. The Volunteers were No. 6, right behind Alabama — a team they beat earlier in the campaign. That's an incredible accomplishment for Josh Heupel, whose Vols debuted at No. 1 in the first playoff rankings in November before losses at Georgia and South Carolina pushed Tennessee out of the final four picture. It was an unforgettable season nonetheless for the Volunteers, who ended lengthy losing skids to rivals Florida and Alabama and had the nation's most exciting offense. Heupel is now 46-16 as a head coach, including his stint at UCF.
Here's their full top 10:
- Kirby Smart — Georgia
- Nick Saban — Alabama
- Jim Harbaugh — Michigan
- Dabo Swinney — Clemson
- Brian Kelly — LSU
- Ryan Day — Ohio State
- Lincoln Riley — USC
- Kyle Whittingham — Utah
- Luke Fickell — Wisconsin
- Josh Heupel — Tennessee
I think those are pretty fair rankings, though I could see an argument for Heupel being listed over Fickell and Whittingham (success in the SEC is more impressive).
If Heupel continues to lead the Vols to 10 and 11-win seasons (or reaches the College Football Playoff), he'll continue to climb this list. For now, being recognized as a top 10 coach in college football is quite an accomplishment for a Tennessee head coach. It's been a while since the Vols had someone this competent leading the program.
