Josh Heupel reportedly makes addition to Tennessee Vols football program
Tennessee Vols head coach Josh Heupel reportedly made an addition to the football program this week. According to a report from On3.com's Matt Zenitz, Heupel is adding Utah State offensive line coach Micah James to Tennessee's staff as an analyst. Zenitz noted that James worked under Heupel at UCF in 2018. James, who played college […]
Tennessee Vols head coach Josh Heupel reportedly made an addition to the football program this week.
According to a report from On3.com's Matt Zenitz, Heupel is adding Utah State offensive line coach Micah James to Tennessee's staff as an analyst.
Zenitz noted that James worked under Heupel at UCF in 2018.
James, who played college football at Middle Tennessee, has also coached at UMass, Maryland, and Arkansas State.
This appears to be a tremendous hire by Heupel. I don't know the exact details of James and his time at Utah State, but hiring a sitting on-field position coach from a Group of 5 program to work as an analyst is impressive from Heupel. And it shows how coaches in the college football world view Heupel and Tennessee.
The Vols had an open analyst position thanks to Alec Abeln's recent promotion (he went from an analyst role to tight ends coach).
Heupel loves to promote from within. With James, he's getting a coach that already has some experience in his system that can move into an on-field role down the road if needed.
Tennessee has been able to keep most of its staff together during Heupel's first two seasons in Knoxville. Only two coaches have left — wide receivers coach Kodi Burns went to the NFL to work for the New Orleans Saints and offensive coordinator Alex Golesh left to become the new head coach at USF. Heupel filled both roles via internal hires.
While the Vols have had great continuity under Heupel, eventually they'll lose some more assistants.
Offensive line coach Glen Elarbee, for example, could become an offensive coordinator option for programs in the coming years. If Elarbee ends up leaving for an offensive coordinator job, Heupel will have James ready to go as his potential replacement.
Featured image via Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK
