Tennessee QB Hendon Hooker makes strong statement about Vols head coach Josh Heupel
When quarterback Hendon Hooker transferred to Tennessee, he thought he was going to play for Jeremy Pruitt. The Vols, however, fired Pruitt just a couple of weeks after Hooker arrived in Knoxville. Josh Heupel was hired to replace Pruitt, which meant Hooker was set to play for a head coach that didn't recruit him. Fortunately […]
When quarterback Hendon Hooker transferred to Tennessee, he thought he was going to play for Jeremy Pruitt.
The Vols, however, fired Pruitt just a couple of weeks after Hooker arrived in Knoxville.
Josh Heupel was hired to replace Pruitt, which meant Hooker was set to play for a head coach that didn't recruit him.
Fortunately for Tennessee, the marriage between the two has worked better than anyone ever dreamed. UT had one of the best offenses in the nation last year and Hooker is now a darkhorse Heisman Trophy candidate.
(Hooker wasn't Heupel's choice to start the 2021 season, but he quickly won the job after Joe Milton proved to be ineffective.)
On Wednesday, Hooker was asked by a reporter what it's been like to play for a coach that didn't recruit him. And his answer left no doubt that Heupel is the right man for Tennessee (not that there's been any doubt).
"From day one, Coach Heupel came in with the attitude of we want to win ball games and that's what I'm here to do," said Hooker. "As well as just being aggressive, so to speak, and what I mean by that is just having a mindset to just go out there and try to dominate. That's what I try to do when I approach the fieldand play like it's my last. So, him bringing that approach to the team, as well as being a great listener. Understanding what the team needs in every aspect, not just in the building but in life as well."
"You never know what some of the players are going through," added Hooker. "So, just him being very appealing to every player and very down to Earth. I think he's the best coach in America."
That last line says it all, right?
Whether or not you agree with Hooker doesn't matter (and I'm sure there are some fans of opposing SEC teams who vehemently disagree). All that matters is that Hooker — the unquestioned offensive leader of the Vols — feels like Heupel is the best coach in America. That speaks volumes for him to say that. It tells us that Hooker is completely bought in and believes fully in Heupel's system.
Most importantly, it shows that Hooker appreciates who Heupel is as a person.
Look, we've seen plenty of great coaches who weren't good people (Urban Meyer for example). They might find quick success, but it usually isn't sustainable.
Heupel, though, is taking the right approach. He's putting the players first while also holding them to a high standard. And the players love it.
Hooker and Heupel weren't supposed to be in Knoxville together. Fate, however, brought them together on Rocky Top.
And Vol fans have to be thrilled that it did. Because I can't imagine two better options to lead Tennessee right now.
Featured image via Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK
