Tennessee Vols: Rick Barnes shares heartwarming story about Josh Heupel
Tennessee basketball coach Rick Barnes told a heartwarming story this week about Vols football coach Josh Heupel. Barnes talked about how during the week of the Tennessee/Alabama game earlier this season, Heupel wanted to play some basketball with his son. According to Barnes, he got a call from Heupel and asked if he could use […]
Tennessee basketball coach Rick Barnes told a heartwarming story this week about Vols football coach Josh Heupel.
Barnes talked about how during the week of the Tennessee/Alabama game earlier this season, Heupel wanted to play some basketball with his son.
According to Barnes, he got a call from Heupel and asked if he could use the gym for about 30 minutes.
Here's the video of Barnes telling the story (via WVLT's Zack Rickens).
"I'm going to tell you the best story I can tell you about Josh Heupel," said Barnes. "They were getting ready to play Alabama. On a Wednesday, he called me and asked if he could bring his son to the gym and shoot (basketball) with his son. He said 'I need to spend some time with my son.'"
"Think about it, [he 's] getting ready to play the University of Alabama and most football coaches think they've got to work — and he works — but the fact that Josh is that grounded. I think it speaks volumes about his confidence and security in who he is. And the fact that he has created within his staff, a staff that is all in."
This is a great story from Barnes, but it doesn't come as a surprise. Heupel has been vocal about the fact that he takes 10 minutes before every game to stop being a coach and just be a dad. Heupel will throw football with his son when he enters the stadium — just the two of them.
There's no doubt that Heupel has his priorities in the right place.
Featured image via Tennessee Athletics
