Tennessee Vols: Where Josh Heupel lands in USA Today's reranking of coaching hires
When Josh Heupel took over as the head coach of the Tennessee Vols earlier this year, it was universally agreed upon that he was stepping into a mess. The Vols had just fired Jeremy Pruitt due to an NCAA investigation into shady recruiting practices. In addition to the Pruitt drama, several highly rated players transferred […]
When Josh Heupel took over as the head coach of the Tennessee Vols earlier this year, it was universally agreed upon that he was stepping into a mess.
The Vols had just fired Jeremy Pruitt due to an NCAA investigation into shady recruiting practices. In addition to the Pruitt drama, several highly rated players transferred out of the program, leaving the roster with very little depth.
Despite those challenges, Heupel led Tennessee to a 7-5 record in 2021. The Vols will look for their eighth win of the year next week in the Music City Bowl against Purdue. If Tennessee wins that game, it will give the Vols their second-best record since 2007 (tied with Pruitt's 2019 squad that went 8-5).
It's safe to say that Heupel exceeded expectations in year one. As a result, USA Today views Tennessee's decision to hire him a bit differently than they did a year ago.
The national publication reranked the 2021 coaching hires this week and they placed Heupel at the top of their list.
Here's what USA Today had to say about Heupel:
Tennessee are 7-5 heading into the Music City Bowl against Purdue and, as expected, among the SEC’s best on offense: third in scoring (38.8 points per game), fourth in total offense and sixth in yards per game. Under Heupel, quarterback Hendon Hooker led the SEC in efficiency and was fourth in touchdown passes. The Volunteers have taken a big step forward under Heupel and are ahead of schedule.
USA Today initially ranked the Heupel hire as the No. 11 best hire of the 2021 coaching cycle.
Interestingly, former Vols head coach Butch Jones, who was hired by Arkansas State after serving as a special assistant at Alabama for three years, was reranked as the worst hire (No. 17) during the coaching cycle.
Jones led Arkansas State to a 2-10 season in 2021, which was the program's worst season since going 1-10 in 2000.
USA Today originally ranked the Jones hire as the No. 6 best hire earlier this year.
Featured image via Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK
