For some reason, and no one is quite sure why, a bizarre narrative has formed over the last few days that some Tennessee Vols fans are out on head coach Josh Heupel.

I’ve seen folks who have suggested Heupel needs to improve in some areas — and I certainly agree when it comes to clock management — but I haven’t actually seen anyone (beyond some troll accounts on social media) who wants a new head coach on Rocky Top.

That would be silly, anyway. Heupel is the best thing to happen to Tennessee since Eric Berry committed to the Vols over Georgia and others nearly 20 years ago.

However, that hasn’t stopped media figures from suggesting that Vols fans are “restless.”

National media outlet calls for Josh Heupel to leave Tennessee for Penn State

USA Today’s Blake Toppmeyer suggested on Thursday that Heupel should leave Tennessee for Penn State due to fans getting “restless” on Rocky Top.

“Josh Heupel, set your phone to ring. Turn up the volume. If someone calls from a Pennsylvania area code, answer,” wrote Toppmeyer. “Because, the natives are getting restless in Tennessee, in case you haven’t noticed. Here’s Heupel’s chance to stay one step ahead of the Tennessee posse. Penn State needs offense. Penn State needs quarterback development. Penn State needs a coach who might occasionally beat a chief rival.”

“Tennessee’s not a bad job,” added Toppmeyer. “Penn State is not a distinctly better one. They’re two sides of the same coin. Good jobs, both of them. High expectations, each of them. If I’m a coach like Heupel who’s never won a playoff game, I’d feel a whole lot more comfortable in Year 1 or Year 2 than I would in Year 6, as Heupel would be entering at Tennessee next season.”

Vols fans aren’t “restless” or “hot under the collar” when it comes to Heupel. Fans certainly want to see the team play better, but that’s a far cry from calling for a coach to be fired.

Heupel has a good thing going at Tennessee. But this season just wasn’t the Vols’ year — the roster is young, the quarterback has been on campus for five minutes, and the team has dealt with some significant injuries. That’s football. It doesn’t always work out.

The future, though, is still bright at Tennessee under Heupel. And I’d be willing to bet that 99 percent of Vols fans feel the same way.

This article was originally published on A to Z Sports Tennessee Vols as National media outlet calls for Josh Heupel to leave Tennessee for major college football opening.

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