It’s no secret that the Tennessee Vols’ offense hasn’t been as productive the last two seasons as the first two seasons of the Josh Heupel era.

Tennessee averaged 42.7 points per game in 2021 and 2022 — Heupel’s first two seasons as the Vols’ head coach.

In 2023 and 2024, Tennessee’s scoring average dropped to 33.7 points.

There are several theories as to why this has been the case. Some folks blame quarterback and wide receiver play, while others point to the fact that opposing defensive coordinators have a better idea of how to stop Tennessee’s offense.

Perhaps the most popular theory, though, centers around Alex Golesh’s departure from Rocky Top in late 2022.

Golesh served as the Vols’ offense coordinator during the first two seasons of the Heupel era. Not only did Golesh serve as the offensive coordinator, but unlike current offensive coordinator Joey Halzle, he was also responsible for calling plays for Tennessee’s offense.

“Our relationship (Heupel and Golesh) was really good because there was no ego,” said Golesh when he was hired at USF in 2022. “There was a complete trust in each other. And when he turned over the play-calling to me, I think for him it was a level of trust that he showed in me. I think I earned that trust.”

Plenty of Vols fans have noticed that Tennessee’s offense hasn’t been as prolific since Golesh left to become the head coach at USF.

And a comment that Golesh made this week while discussing former Tennessee quarterback Gaston Moore (who recently transferred to USF) will only reinforce the idea that his departure had a major impact on the Vols’ offense.

Golesh pointed out that Tennessee has evolved differently on offense during the past two years since he left.

“We knew he (Moore) knew the system, but the verbiage is all different,” said Golesh. “We’ve evolved so much from the last time I was with him. And the last two years at his previous place (Tennessee), they evolved differently from when I was there. And so, honestly, I didn’t know what we were getting in terms of physically ready to play, mentally ready to play.

“But give Gaston a ton of credit. He stayed in shape. He kept throwing, kept working with his quarterbacks coach (Halzle). He was coaching young quarterbacks (Nico Iamaleava and Jake Merklinger last season), so he stayed in it.”

Tennessee’s offensive play-calling hasn’t been nearly as dynamic the last two seasons. The Vols have utilized 12 personnel (two tight ends) more in recent years — that’s likely part of the evolution that Golesh is referencing — but for the most part, Tennessee’s play-calling has felt vanilla.

It’s clear that Tennessee’s offense hasn’t been as good the last two seasons. And Golesh has obviously noticed that the Vols’ approach has changed in some ways since he left. Is that enough to suggest that Golesh’s departure is the sole reason that Tennessee’s offense has regressed?

I don’t think so. All of the factors mentioned above (QB and WR play, opposing defenses figuring out how to defend it, etc) have impacted the Vols’ offense. But I definitely think the loss of Golesh is at least part of the issue.

Golesh brought a certain swagger to Tennessee’s play-calling. And his ability to serve in that role took a lot off Heupel’s plate, allowing the UT head coach to be more of a “CEO” at times (something that we’ve recently learned is important when it comes to competing for a national championship).

Tennessee can absolutely get back to where it was offensively when Golesh was in town. However, it will take UT’s quarterbacks, wide receivers, and coaches being on the same page and having an aggressive, in-the-moment mindset that focuses on executing one play at a time.

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Zach Ragan