Tennessee Vols head coach Josh Heupel has developed a reputation for having one of the most innovative offensive minds in college football.

Heupel's up-tempo offensive system is simultaneously simple and complex.

The quarterback has to essentially read the defense and then everyone has to be on the same page based on what kind of look is being presented.

Heupel is constantly tweaking his offense to make sure he stays ahead of opposing defenses.

And one way he does that is by taking suggestions from everyone. From his offensive coordinator Alex Golesh to lower-level staff members, all suggestions are welcomed.

The Athletic's Joe Rexrode recently wrote a fantastic story that focuses primarily on Josh Heupel's time at Oklahoma as a player and as a coach. There are some great comments from former Sooners assistant Mike Leach about Heupel within the story and I highly encourage reading it.

One of the things that Rexrode mentions in his story is how Heupel has weekly collaborations about the offense where "all ideas are welcomed".

From The Athletic:

And then, of course, there’s the offense. It thrives thanks in part to the weekly collaboration of the staff – where all ideas are welcomed and, Golesh said, those from younger coaches are often employed.

“It’s amazing,” UT senior quarterback Hendon Hooker said. “I call them the football scientists.”

Not all head coaches have that same approach.

In fact, plenty of head coaches do the exact opposite. Some head coaches are known for meddling and not letting their assistants do their job (previous Vols head coach Jeremy Pruitt had this reputation).

Heupel, however, lets everyone have a voice. And it sounds like Tennessee has benefited from some of those ideas.

One of the keys to being a great head coach is to have an "I'm not the smartest guy in the room" approach. Heupel has that. He never acts like he's the only guy that has the answers.

Because of that approach, Heupel's assistants and staffers are willing to share their ideas. That not only creates an atmosphere where innovation can thrive, but it creates a workplace environment that leads to happy employees.

And ultimately, a happy workplace environment leads to more productivity.

Tennessee hasn't gotten a lot right over the last 15 years, but I'm starting to think they absolutely nailed it by hiring Heupel to replace Pruitt nearly two years ago.

Featured image via Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK