‘There’s an understanding that for the right job Josh Heupel would be willing to leave’ – Tennessee fans may have reason to worry

Is Tennessee Vols head coach Josh Heupel looking for a way out of Knoxville? Up until Thursday, there had been no indication that Heupel, who is in his fifth season as the Vols’ head coach, was looking to leave Tennessee. SEC Unfiltered’s Chris Phillips, however, dropped a massive coaching carousel nugget on Thursday afternoon while […]

Zach Ragan — Tennessee Volunteers News Writer
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Is Tennessee Vols head coach Josh Heupel looking for a way out of Knoxville?

Up until Thursday, there had been no indication that Heupel, who is in his fifth season as the Vols’ head coach, was looking to leave Tennessee.

SEC Unfiltered’s Chris Phillips, however, dropped a massive coaching carousel nugget on Thursday afternoon while discussing the LSU Tigers job opening on 104.5 The Zone’s Cover 2.

Chris Phillips says it’s known in the industry that Josh Heupel would entertain conversations about leaving Tennessee

Phillips, the founder of SEC Unfiltered, said on Thursday that it is known “in the industry” that Heupel would be willing to leave Knoxville.

“A really interesting name, guys, is Josh Heupel over at Tennessee,” said Phillips. “That was a name that I’ve heard. And seriously, they (LSU) think they can get him. And again, don’t shoot the messenger here, but I’ve heard that potentially, Josh Heupel would at least entertain the conversation — he’s thought about leaving Knoxville. So, I’m not saying it’s going to happen. What I’ve been told is there’s an understanding in the industry that for the right job, Josh Heupel would be willing to leave. So again, take it for what it’s worth.

“I think the timing could line up,” added Phillips. “Especially if LSU was calling and seriously offering him that gig. I think it’s at least something you’ve got to think about if you’re Heupel. So, it was interesting to hear that name. I’m not saying that he leaves. But when you think about expectations, the Tennessee fans, and trying to match those expectations — listen, they don’t want to go 8-4 anymore. But it’s hard to get to the playoffs every single year, like I think most Vol fans want. So it’s a little bit easier down in Baton Rouge. And again, that’s not a dig on Tennessee at all. That’s just a fact.”

So what should Vols fans make of this?

For starters, I don’t think Heupel is in a hurry to leave athletic director Danny White. Those two have been together since late 2017 at UCF. Would Heupel leave a stable situation at Tennessee for what appears to be an unstable situation in Baton Rouge? It seems doubtful, but you never know in this crazy sport (two months ago, I would’ve told you that Tony Vitello would be the baseball coach at Tennessee for another 20 years…and how he’s the manager of the San Francisco Giants).

Now, I will say that one reason I think LSU, or any school with an opening, may target Heupel is because of the timing of the College Football Playoff. Coaches who are coaching in the playoffs are unlikely to engage with programs in need of a coach. And most programs — especially the big-name programs — probably won’t wait until the middle of January to hire a coach. So the timing aspect definitely makes sense.

As for Heupel, I don’t think he will leave Tennessee. I don’t know where Phillips got his info from, so I don’t want to question him, but I haven’t seen anything that indicates Heupel is looking for a way out of Knoxville.

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