Friday marks the two-year anniversary of the Tennessee Vols hiring Josh Heupel to replace Jeremy Pruitt as the program's head coach.

When Heupel was initially hired, there was plenty of concern over whether or not the hire would work out.

Heupel wasn't a name that was on the radar when the Vols first started looking for a head coach. Instead, the focus — at least for fans and media — was on names like Penn State's James Franklin and Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin.

UT athletic director Danny White, who was hired about a week before Heupel was hired, worked with Heupel at UCF. It was a familiar face and for that reason, some folks thought it was a "fallback hire".

Whatever the reasons for the hire, it's worked out better than anyone could've imagined.

Heupel is 18-8 through two seasons at Tennessee. He already has wins over Alabama, Florida, Clemson, and LSU. And he helped the Vols ascend to No. 1 in the College Football Playoff rankings for the first time in program history.

On Friday, Tennessee released a video that recaps the first two years of the Heupel era. And it's absolutely a must-watch for Vols fans.

Check it out:

Two years ago today – A ??? ??? of Tennessee Football#GBO ? pic.twitter.com/vW4JlFCpQS

— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) January 27, 2023

After years of wandering in the wilderness and suffering through "bad hires", Tennessee finally has the perfect coach leading the program.

Heupel's success at Tennessee is a reminder that no one ever knows how a hire will actually work out. When Heupel was hired, there were media analysts suggesting that it would be years before the Vols would return to a bowl game.

Instead, Heupel immediately went 7-6 and then 11-2.

Not bad for a hire that most folks questioned.

Featured image via Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel via Imagn Content Services