Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel addresses the concerning rumors surrounding important Vols player
It’s been a quiet offseason for the most part for the Tennessee Vols football program. Some rumors, however, have popped up over the last week concerning an important Tennessee player.
It’s been a mostly quiet and drama-free offseason for the Tennessee Vols.
That’s unlike the past couple of springs when the Vols dealt with some quarterback drama (the Vols’ lawsuit against the NCAA in 2024, and then Nico Iamaleava’s unexpected departure in 2025).
But while it’s been a mostly smooth offseason for the Volunteers, it hasn’t been 100 percent drama-free.
Over the last week, rumblings have popped up about Tennessee EDGE Chaz Coleman, a transfer addition from Penn State.
Coleman is reportedly dealing with some off-the-field stuff that’s kept him away from the practice field at times.
“He’s got to go to the practice field,” said VolQuest’s Brent Hubbs of Coleman this week. “He’s got to commit to it harder. He’s dealing with whatever personal things he’s dealing with. But at some point in time, Chaz Coleman has to make a commitment that he’s going to put in the work, and he’s going to grind seven days a week the way he needs to if he’s going to be a factor for this football team this fall. He’s not getting ready to get thrown off the team or anything like that.
“He’s had some health things. He’s had some things that have bothered him — even going back to the end of last season. Back in November, there were some things that he dealt with that kind of plagued him. But he’s got to work through and push through. And I think that’s the message that Chaz Coleman is getting.”
Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel addresses the Chaz Coleman situation
Vols head coach Josh Heupel addressed the questions surrounding Coleman on Saturday after Tennessee’s Orange and White game.
“Ultimately, Chaz is dealing with some things off the field,” said Heupel. “And he’s got to handle that and go through that process. We’re here to help and support him in all those ways, and we’ll continue to do that. But that’s ultimately a big part of his journey right now, some things that he’s got to work through.”
There are rumblings that Coleman is having a hard time with being so far away from home (he’s from Warren, OH). He’s still just 19 years old, so it’s more than understandable that’s going through some things off the field.
We’ll see how Coleman progresses through the summer. He’s a high-upside player with limitless potential. If he’s available and playing at a high level on Saturdays this fall, Coleman has the talent to significantly raise the ceiling of Tennesee’s defense.