How Vols head coach Josh Heupel passed a massively important test
It's been mostly smooth sailing for Josh Heupel during his first two seasons as the Tennessee Vols' head coach. Heupel exceeded expectations in year one by going 7-6. He then built some equity this season by beating Florida, LSU, and Alabama. That equity, however, was put to the test this week after the Vols' embarrassing […]
It's been mostly smooth sailing for Josh Heupel during his first two seasons as the Tennessee Vols' head coach.
Heupel exceeded expectations in year one by going 7-6. He then built some equity this season by beating Florida, LSU, and Alabama.
That equity, however, was put to the test this week after the Vols' embarrassing 63-38 loss to South Carolina.
This week was the first time that Heupel has dealt with serious adversity — at least in the eyes of the media.
Tennessee was essentially knocked out of the playoff by losing a game they shouldn't have lost. On top of the loss, questions about the Vols' locker room flooded social media and message boards all week (and in one instance, unsubstantiated rumors made their way to ESPN via an unprofessional comment from Kirk Herbstreit).
Despite the good vibes from earlier this season, the 2022 season was starting to feel like 2016.
Just like in 2016, the Vols inexplicably lost to South Carolina amid rumors of locker-room drama.
And just like in 2016, Tennessee needed to beat Vanderbilt to keep their marquee bowl game hopes alive.
But unlike in 2016, the Volunteers showed up in Nashville ready to play. Tennessee erased a lot of questions with their 56-0 throttling of the Commodores.
After the game, Heupel addressed the locker room drama.
“I know there’s been a lot of talk outside of our program, just from different people, about what the culture is inside of our locker room," said Heupel after the win. "And when I got here two years ago, nobody thought we’d win 10 by this point. But there were 30-plus kids that left this program. This group chose to stay, and they bought into me. They bought into our staff."
“They bought into the culture, the connection inside of our locker room, what we’re going to build inside of our program," added Heupel. "And they built it, and they only did that by working hard, competing together and then competing for one another. We’ve been far from perfect, and that starts with me. But I’ll tell you what: This group loves one another, and that’s why we’ve turned this program in the right direction. And the future is bright, and I’ll go to battle with these guys any day, anywhere.”
Heupel handled the questions about the Vols' culture as well as any coach could've. He never got defensive or hateful with reporters. And he never let it affect Tennessee's preparation this week.
This was the most negative outside noise Heupel's had to deal with so far during his time in Knoxville. And Tennessee showed that it wasn't an issue via a dominating performance against Vandy.
If the Vols would've lost to Vanderbilt, it wouldn't have meant that Heupel wasn't "the guy". After all, this team still beat Alabama this season for the first time since 2006. And they beat LSU for the first time since 2005. Plus they erased a five-game losing streak to Florida.
It would've, however, been concerning. It would've been a red flag. And it would've made some of those rumors seem legitimate.
Fortunately, Vols fans don't have to worry about any of that stuff. Heupel showed he can handle adverstiry. He showed that when things get tough, his football team gets tougher.
Heupel isn't perfect. He's going to have some missteps along the way (that South Carolina game was certainly a huge misstep). But he's the best coach the Vols have had since Phillip Fulmer was in town.
No one knows what the future holds for Tennessee. But after the way the Vols rebounded from a terrible loss, I think it's fair to say that Heupel is the coach that UT fans have been waiting for since 2008 when Fulmer stepped down.
Featured image via George Walker IV / Tennessean.com / USA TODAY NETWORK
