Vols junior makes strong statement about Tennessee QBs coach Joey Halzle
The Tennessee Vols need a new offensive coordinator after Alex Golesh left Knoxville earlier this month to take over as the new head coach at USF. There hasn't been a lot of movement — at least publicly or via reports — so far in the search for Golesh's replacement. The feeling, however, is that Josh […]
The Tennessee Vols need a new offensive coordinator after Alex Golesh left Knoxville earlier this month to take over as the new head coach at USF.
There hasn't been a lot of movement — at least publicly or via reports — so far in the search for Golesh's replacement.
The feeling, however, is that Josh Heupel will promote quarterbacks coach Joey Halzle to the offensive coordinator role and hire a tight ends coach. That's far from a certainty, but it appears things are trending in that direction.
Halzle has been with Heupel since his playing days at Oklahoma in the mid to late 2000s. He was in the booth with Golesh for the last two years, so he's had a front-row seat to the playcalling process.
If Halzle is promoted, Heupel would likely return to being the primary playcaller with Halzle offering input.
Vols offensive lineman Cooper Mays appeared on "Off the Hook Sports" this week with Dave Hooker and he was asked about his thoughts on Halzle.
"I think Halzle is probably one of my favorite coaches overall on the whole staff," said Mays. "Just a great guy, a great human. And kind of the same way (as Golesh), an infectious energy."
"[He] just kinda loves being out there with us I think," added Mays. "I think it's something he thoroughly enjoys and just kind of loves the game and loves being around his players. He definitely builds confidence in all of us. And especially his quarterbacks."
The big thing for Tennessee's offense will be continuity. It's one of the things that makes the Vols' offense work so well. A lot of these guys — specifically Heupel, Halzle, and offensive line coach Glen Elarbee — have been together for a long time. They can essentially finish each other's sentences.
That type of communication is why everyone is on the same page on game days for the Volunteers. It's why you don't see Tennessee's offense making a bunch of mistakes despite moving at warp speed.
I already thought that Halzle was the best person to step into Golesh's role. Mays' comments just make me feel even more confident that Halzle should be Tennessee's new offensive coordinator.
Featured image via Saul Young/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK
