Report: Josh Heupel, Tennessee to hire former Southern Miss assistant Cayden Cochran as offensive analyst

Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel is bringing in a staff member who he has a former connection with to be an analyst for the Vols.

Heupel is hiring former Southern Miss tight ends coach Cayden Cochran as an offensive analyst, according to ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg.

Cochran was let go at Southern Miss following the 2023 season after three years with the program.

Before that, he spent three years at Emporia State, serving as the offensive coordinator, recruiting coordinator and receivers coach. Cochran also previously coached at West Georgia.

During his playing days, Cochran started his career as the quarterback at Coffeyville Community College.

From there, he transferred to Oklahoma, where he linked up with Josh Heupel, who was the quarterbacks coach for the Sooners. Cochran only played for Heupel for one season, before transferring to Valdosta State.

He was the starting quarterback for the Blazers for two seasons, leading Valdosta State to the Division II national title during his junior season in 2012.

Now, more than a decade later, Heupel and Cochran are reuniting at Tennessee.

The Vols are coming off of a 9-4 season and will enter 2024 with high expectations. Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava impressed during his first start in the Cheez-It Bowl against Iowa, and Tennessee returns plenty of other talent on both sides of the ball.

Jaylen McCollough describes what Josh Heupel has meant to Tennessee program

Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel has orchestrated a deft turnaround during his tenure leading the Volunteers. Following a dominant win over Iowa in the Cheez-It Bowl, senior defensive back Jaylen McCollough shard his optimism for what the future holds on Rocky Top.

After going 7-6 in Heupel’s inaugural season, Tennessee has gone 20-6 during the last two seasons. McCollough feels like things will only keep trending up with Heupel in charge.

“He came in, he set a culture, a great foundation. And coach Heupel will take this program as far as it can go,” McCollough said.

The hallmark of Heupel’s tenure so far has been his high-octane offenses, which took off to new heights in 2022. The 2023 Tennessee team had more offensive issues, but with heralded quarterback Nico Iamaleava slotted in as the quarterback going forward, optimism abounds for Tennessee as Heupel keeps things rolling.

The Tennessee program was in a bit of a funk when Heupel took over, but he has recruited well and is 27-12 over his three years in Knoxville.

“Thankful for him, thankful for everything he’s done and excited to see where Tennessee goes now,” McCollough said.