Josh Heupel, the head coach of the Tennessee Vols, has unexpectedly been faced with an important decision for the offseason.
Josh Heupel’s Critical Offseason Decision: Navigating Uncertainty for Tennessee Vols Football
Josh Heupel, the head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers, has had a rollercoaster tenure in Knoxville since his arrival in 2021. Under his guidance, the Vols have experienced flashes of brilliance, particularly on the offensive side of the ball, with his high-paced, up-tempo system setting the tone for the program’s identity. Heupel quickly built a reputation as an offensive innovator who could turn around a struggling program. However, as the 2024 season draws to a close and the offseason begins, Heupel now faces a key and perhaps unexpected decision that could shape the trajectory of Tennessee football for years to come.
After two seasons of growth, success, and challenges, Heupel’s Vols appear to be at a crossroads. In this article, we’ll dive deep into the various factors surrounding this important decision, considering both the internal and external pressures that will guide Heupel’s next steps. With recruiting, roster changes, coaching staff adjustments, and the looming question of how to remain competitive in the SEC, the offseason ahead could be one of the most defining in Heupel’s tenure.
The Foundation: Heupel’s Early Impact
When Josh Heupel arrived at Tennessee, many were skeptical about his ability to resurrect a program that had languished for years in the SEC’s middle tier. The Vols had suffered through a series of coaching changes and inconsistencies, and the team needed a fresh approach. Heupel’s previous success at UCF demonstrated his ability to build high-scoring, dynamic offenses, which was a breath of fresh air for a Tennessee fanbase that had been desperate for excitement.
In his first two seasons, Heupel’s Vols made significant strides. The offense, led by quarterback Hendon Hooker in 2022, was electric, and Tennessee’s rise culminated in a trip to a New Year’s Six bowl and a highly ranked finish in the College Football Playoff rankings. Fans began to believe again, and Heupel seemed to be on the fast track to restoring Tennessee’s place among college football’s elite programs.
However, despite the offensive fireworks, Tennessee’s defense has struggled to keep pace with the explosive attacks of SEC powerhouses like Georgia, Alabama, and LSU. As the Vols’ offensive philosophy leans heavily on speed and high-scoring games, the defense has often been caught off guard by the powerful offenses in the SEC. Heupel’s ability to keep Tennessee competitive on both sides of the ball would be a crucial element in determining his long-term success at the helm.
The Unexpected Decision: Quarterback Play
As Tennessee moves into the 2025 offseason, the most pressing and unexpected decision Heupel faces is at the quarterback position. Quarterback play has always been a crucial element in Heupel’s system, and for Tennessee, it’s no different. After two seasons of high-level play from Hendon Hooker, who played his final season in 2023, the Volunteers are faced with a massive question mark at the game’s most important position.
The performance of Tennessee’s quarterbacks in 2024, including a mix of transfers, freshmen, and returners, was inconsistent at best. Joe Milton, a senior with an impressive arm but a sometimes erratic decision-making process, took the reins as the starting quarterback in 2024. While Milton showed flashes of brilliance with his deep ball accuracy and physical tools, he also had moments of inconsistency that left fans and analysts questioning his ability to lead the team.
The Vols’ struggles at quarterback in 2024 highlighted a larger issue for Heupel: Tennessee’s inability to develop a reliable and consistent signal-caller in the post-Hooker era. This put Heupel in the difficult position of either sticking with Milton for another season or making a change. The options for the Vols include turning to another player on the roster, pursuing a transfer quarterback, or even looking to their recruiting class for a future starter.
As much as Heupel’s offensive philosophy is built around the quarterback, it’s also centered around a system that emphasizes tempo, quick decisions, and vertical passing. For this system to be effective, the quarterback must be able to manage the game at an elite level. This makes the decision about who will start at quarterback in 2025 even more crucial for the program.
Navigating the Transfer Portal
In the modern landscape of college football, the transfer portal has become an indispensable tool for coaches looking to address immediate needs. Heupel is no stranger to the portal, having successfully brought in players in previous years to plug gaps and improve depth. But now, as the quarterback position looms large, Heupel faces a dilemma: should he turn to the transfer portal for a proven quarterback, or should he develop the talent already on the roster?
Tennessee’s ability to capitalize on the transfer portal could make or break its 2025 season. The portal has provided a lifeline for programs that are just a piece or two away from competing for championships, and a high-profile quarterback could instantly elevate Tennessee’s offense. However, bringing in a transfer would mean a short-term solution, and could potentially hinder the development of young players like Nico Iamaleava, a highly-touted freshman who could be the future of the program.
The risk of relying too heavily on the transfer portal is that it can disrupt the continuity of a program. While instant-impact players can contribute right away, it can also create issues in long-term development and team chemistry. If Heupel goes the transfer route, he would need to ensure that the new quarterback fits into the program’s culture and style of play, while also managing expectations for a quick turnaround.
On the other hand, staying the course with the existing quarterbacks or developing Iamaleava could provide stability but also presents the risk of inconsistency if those players do not develop as expected. With Heupel’s offensive scheme, there’s little room for error at the quarterback position. A misstep could set the program back and further delay Tennessee’s return to the upper echelon of SEC football.
The Defensive Dilemma
While the quarterback situation has dominated much of the offseason conversation, Heupel’s decision-making will also need to address his defense. Tennessee’s defense has been a consistent point of concern, especially as the program has risen to prominence on offense. In the SEC, where elite defensive units often dominate, the Vols have struggled to stop opposing offenses, particularly those with high-powered passing games or strong running attacks.
Tennessee’s defensive coordinator, Tim Banks, has faced growing scrutiny in recent years for his inability to develop a defense capable of competing with the SEC’s best. Despite some talented individual players, the Vols have lacked the cohesion and execution needed to consistently shut down potent offenses. This mismatch between Tennessee’s offense and defense has often led to shootouts, which, while exciting, are not the recipe for sustained success.
For Heupel, the decision to either retain or make changes to the coaching staff on defense could be another unexpected and pivotal decision of the offseason. If Heupel decides that Banks is not the right fit, he could look to make a change at defensive coordinator. A new defensive scheme or more aggressive play calling could be just what the Vols need to take the next step and compete at a higher level in the SEC.
However, Heupel will need to be careful. In a highly competitive conference like the SEC, changing a key part of the coaching staff mid-cycle can be risky. A new defensive coordinator would need to quickly implement a scheme and culture change while also dealing with a roster that may not be fully equipped to execute a new system right away. Heupel will have to weigh the short-term risks with the long-term benefits of improving his defense to keep up with the likes of Georgia, Alabama, and LSU.
Recruiting: Securing the Future
While the present is full of difficult decisions, the future of the Tennessee program will ultimately be shaped by the talent Heupel can bring in via recruiting. The 2025 recruiting class has the potential to be one of the best in recent memory for Tennessee, with several highly-rated prospects at positions of need. However, the Vols face stiff competition from other SEC programs and must close strong on the recruiting trail to secure key commitments.
Heupel’s success in recruiting offensive talent has been impressive, but now he will need to prove that he can build a balanced team, with an emphasis on improving the defense. A strong defensive class could help bridge the gap between Tennessee’s high-scoring offense and its sometimes porous defense.
Moreover, Heupel will need to keep his team’s momentum going in recruiting even as he navigates the more immediate challenges of the offseason. This means maintaining a strong presence in the transfer portal, keeping current recruits committed, and ensuring that Tennessee remains a destination for top talent in the future.
The Bigger Picture: SEC Realignment and the Future of College Football
In addition to internal decisions, Heupel’s offseason choices will also be influenced by the larger landscape of college football. With realignment changes on the horizon, particularly with the expansion of the College Football Playoff and the shifting power dynamics of the SEC, the Vols will have to adapt quickly. These changes could bring new challenges but also new opportunities for a program like Tennessee.
As the SEC expands, there will be more competition for spots in the conference championship game and the College Football Playoff. For Tennessee, this means Heupel’s decisions regarding team building, roster construction, and game preparation will have to reflect an even higher level of competitiveness. The pressure to keep up with the league’s elite programs will be greater than ever before.
A Defining Offseason for Josh Heupel
For Josh Heupel, the offseason ahead is one of significant consequence. He has already demonstrated his ability to build a dynamic, exciting offense, but now he must find a way to make the Vols a more well-rounded team capable of competing for championships in the nation’s toughest conference. The decisions Heupel makes at quarterback, in the transfer portal, and on the defensive side of the ball will shape the future of Tennessee football.
Whether he decides to stick with the current roster, pursue new talent, or make bold changes, Heupel’s leadership will be tested like never before. With a passionate fanbase and a storied program hanging in the balance, this offseason could go down as one of the most crucial moments in Tennessee football history.
The road ahead is challenging, but it also offers the potential for Heupel to solidify his place as a transformative figure at Tennessee. The Vols have not been this close to competing at the highest level in years, and with the right decisions, Heupel could guide Tennessee back to prominence in the SEC and beyond.
