Tennessee Vols head coach Josh Heupel is in rare company when it comes to college football coaches.

According to Tennessee's athletic department, Heupel has the ninth most wins among FBS head coaches since the start of the 2018 season.

Heupel's 30 wins are behind only Nick Saban (41), Dabo Swinney (41), Brian Kelly (36), Lincoln Riley (36), Luke Fickell (34), Kirby Smart (34), Ed Orgeron (32), and Dan Mullen (31).

That's an impressive list of coaches to be associated with.

It's also notable who is NOT on that list. Names like Jimbo Fisher, Matt Campbell, Chip Kelly, and James Franklin.

Heupel, who has the eighth-best winning percentage among active FBS head coaches, is also the fourth quickest active head coach to reach 30 wins, according to UTAD (Heupel reached the mark in 39 games).

The only active coaches to reach 30 wins quicker than Heupel are Lincoln Riley (34), David Shaw (35), Chip Kelly (35), and Kirby Smart (38).

Now, I'm sure there are some folks screaming "well Heupel did most of that UCF".

And that's true. But it doesn't make the feat any less impressive. Heupel wasn't playing in the AAC with SEC-caliber talent. He was on a level playing field with his opponents.

Plus, it's not like there are a bunch of other AAC head coaches on this list, either.

Every coach with 30 wins since the start of the 2018 season — with the exception of Ed Orgeron (who caught lightning in a bottle with Joe Brady and Joe Burrow in 2019) — is regarded as an exceptional head coach.

Heupel isn't on that list by mistake. His resume speaks for itself at this point.

That's why Tennessee fans should be cautiously optimistic that Heupel is going to get UT's football program out of the basement of the SEC East.

Featured image via Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports/Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel via Imagn Content Services