Finebaum gives Josh Heupel a title that will anger opposing college football fans
SEC Network talkshow host Paul Finebaum graduated from UT, but that hasn't stopped him from being critical of the Tennessee Vols over the years. Last summer, for example, Finebaum took delight in a column written by Sports Illustrated's Pat Forde that suggested the 'full bill" was coming due from Tennessee's fan revolt that prevented the […]
SEC Network talkshow host Paul Finebaum graduated from UT, but that hasn't stopped him from being critical of the Tennessee Vols over the years.
Last summer, for example, Finebaum took delight in a column written by Sports Illustrated's Pat Forde that suggested the 'full bill" was coming due from Tennessee's fan revolt that prevented the hiring of Greg Schiano in 2017.
Finebaum isn't going to take it easy on the Vols just because he graduated from Tennessee in 1978.
So when Finebaum gives credit to Tennessee, it's because it's deserved.
Which is why Vols fans should appreciate what Finebaum told AtoZ Sports about Heupel this week at SEC Media Days in Nashville.
Finebaum told us that he thinks Heupel is a genius, before giving the third-year Tennessee head coach a compliment that will probably anger a few college football fan bases.
“It surprised everyone,” said Finebaum when asked about Tennessee's 11-2 season in 2022. “In part because I do think he was a really good coach, but I didn’t think he was a genius. And he proved to be one last season. Without a doubt some of the most outstanding play calls I’ve ever seen. At the end of the Alabama game, it was unlike anything I’ve ever seen. Beating the best coach of all time in a — he said two minute offense, it was more like a 40 second offense."
"I think Josh Heupel has earned the reputation, in my mind, as the best play caller in the country," added Finebaum. "And he’s not doing this with Heisman Trophy winning candidates. He turned a guy into a Heisman Trophy candidate, but that’s not what he got when it all started.”
I know there are a lot of folks out there who dismiss Finebaum — which usually just means they don't agree with one of his takes — but there's no doubt that he helps drive the narratives that make college football (specifically in the SEC) so interesting on a year-round basis. It's a big deal when he calls Heupel the best play caller in the country. It's not only great for recruiting, but it also gives fans confidence that offense will never be an issue at Tennessee as long as Heupel is at the helm.
Opposing fans will almost certainly disagree with Finebaum. There will be Ohio State fans who feel like Ryan Day deserves that title. Or USC fans who make an argument for Lincoln Riley. Texas fans could even throw out Steve Sarkisian's names. But according to Finebaum, the best play caller in college football resides in Knoxville.
The likely reason why Mark Stoops changed his tune about Tennessee’s recruiting violations
Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops seemingly changed his tune about the Tennessee Vols’ recruiting violations committed under previous head coach Jeremy Pruitt
Featured image via USA TODAY Sports
