Tennessee Vols players are buying in more under Josh Heupel than under previous coaches
There's a lot of boxes that Josh Heupel will need to check in the coming years if he's going to turn around the Tennessee Vols football program. The first and most important box for Heupel, however, is making sure every player on the roster is bought-in to his philosophy. One of the reasons Alabama is […]
There's a lot of boxes that Josh Heupel will need to check in the coming years if he's going to turn around the Tennessee Vols football program.
The first and most important box for Heupel, however, is making sure every player on the roster is bought-in to his philosophy.
One of the reasons Alabama is so good is because every player — except for maybe a few that will hit the transfer portal — believes in Nick Saban's "process". They're fully bought-in to what Saban wants to accomplish and how he wants to accomplish it.
Recruiting at a high level, perfecting a great scheme, or having high-energy practices won't matter if there isn't complete buy-in from the players.
Fortunately for the Vols, it sounds like the players believe in Heupel's process.
In fact, they're buying-in to Heupel's methods more than they did under previous coaches.
Football Scoop's John Brice, who covered the Vols daily for years, appeared on Blaine and Mickey on 104.5 The Zone this week to talk about Tennessee's football program.
And Brice had some positive things to say about the players' buy-in under Heupel.
"I give a lot of credit to Josh Heupel and that coaching staff because I watch that team and that program and I obviously still talk to people there and I see a much greater buy-in than what we've seen in several years," said Brice.
"I also see guys who appear to be having more fun and playing with more freedom on the field. You hear successful programs talking about playing with freedom on the field and playing with more fun. Playing more loosely and just reacting, not overthinking."
Having fun while playing football is not something that was happening under previous head coach Jeremy Pruitt.
"I know from talking to people that were on those coaching staffs (before Heupel) and talking to former players, the fun and the joy had been zapped from that program in recent years," explained Brice.
The way Heupel has changed the culture in just eight months has been impressive. It's not always easy for a new coach to earn trust from players — especially players who were burned by the previous coaching staff.
But Heupel is getting it done so far.
Of course, that's just step one in this rebuild. Heupel and the Vols still have a long way to go before they can start thinking about winning the SEC East.
Featured image via Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports
