My sitdown with Josh Heupel

Zed Clampet said:

IMO, even in an up year, the competition is so even in the SEC that you are going to have to be remarkable to only lose 2 games. Yet, that's the minimum that we now expect due to it being the unofficial cut-off point for a 12 team playoff. Heupel has his work cut out for him. In any other time period, he'd probably dominate the league in most years. Think of how mediocre Georgia and Alabama were during large stints of the Fulmer years. Now every team is practically a juggernaut. Hell, Vandy should have been in the playoffs. It's completely bonkers now. And yet our parity isn't producing any natty's. No one is truly elite right now. Most teams are just "very good", which isn't enough.

Chris Low said:

The concern surrounding the Vols' weak close to last season was real, and nobody was more disappointed than Josh Heupel. He told me he was calculated in what he did to address the problems this offseason (the first staff overhaul of his career) and who he brought into the program. DC Jim Knowles and head strength coach Derek Owings were handpicked to help elevate the toughness, physicality and accountability in the program. Heupel also told me he would prefer a 24-team format in the playoff. The QB competition will be a legit one, and I wouldn't automatically count out Faizon Brandon just because he's a true freshman. Also, thanks to everybody on here for the way you rallied around Wes Rucker's family with such kindness and generosity. https://www.on3.com/news/josh-heupel-shares-the-passion-of-the-tennessee-fan-base-to-win-a-national-title-were-in-a-race-to-get-it-done-as-fast-as-possible/

Chris Low said:

The concern surrounding the Vols' weak close to last season was real, and nobody was more disappointed than Josh Heupel. He told me he was calculated in what he did to address the problems this offseason (the first staff overhaul of his career) and who he brought into the program. DC Jim Knowles and head strength coach Derek Owings were handpicked to help elevate the toughness, physicality and accountability in the program. Heupel also told me he would prefer a 24-team format in the playoff. The QB competition will be a legit one, and I wouldn't automatically count out Faizon Brandon just because he's a true freshman. Also, thanks to everybody on here for the way you rallied around Wes Rucker's family with such kindness and generosity. https://www.on3.com/news/josh-heupel-shares-the-passion-of-the-tennessee-fan-base-to-win-a-national-title-were-in-a-race-to-get-it-done-as-fast-as-possible/

Chris Low said:

The concern surrounding the Vols' weak close to last season was real, and nobody was more disappointed than Josh Heupel. He told me he was calculated in what he did to address the problems this offseason (the first staff overhaul of his career) and who he brought into the program. DC Jim Knowles and head strength coach Derek Owings were handpicked to help elevate the toughness, physicality and accountability in the program. Heupel also told me he would prefer a 24-team format in the playoff. The QB competition will be a legit one, and I wouldn't automatically count out Faizon Brandon just because he's a true freshman. Also, thanks to everybody on here for the way you rallied around Wes Rucker's family with such kindness and generosity. https://www.on3.com/news/josh-heupel-shares-the-passion-of-the-tennessee-fan-base-to-win-a-national-title-were-in-a-race-to-get-it-done-as-fast-as-possible/

Hopeso3 said:

I still love Heupel’s first presser after the season ended. He honestly seemed upset at how the season unfolded, and promised we were going to win a lot of games. I don’t think last year should be seen as a failure. Worst defense this team has had in a while but still found a way to win 8. I know this team has to turn the corner soon, but for some reason I’m not even worried. I think in the next few years we will.

Blue Tick said:

I think we’ve turned the corner, he shaved.

WallandVol said:

Tennessee fans are perhaps the most delusional fanbase in the country. They harken back to a mythical past that does not exist. Heupel is already ahead of both Fulmer and Majors in terms of progressing towards a national championship.

Chris Low said:

The concern surrounding the Vols' weak close to last season was real, and nobody was more disappointed than Josh Heupel. He told me he was calculated in what he did to address the problems this offseason (the first staff overhaul of his career) and who he brought into the program. DC Jim Knowles and head strength coach Derek Owings were handpicked to help elevate the toughness, physicality and accountability in the program. Heupel also told me he would prefer a 24-team format in the playoff. The QB competition will be a legit one, and I wouldn't automatically count out Faizon Brandon just because he's a true freshman. Also, thanks to everybody on here for the way you rallied around Wes Rucker's family with such kindness and generosity. https://www.on3.com/news/josh-heupel-shares-the-passion-of-the-tennessee-fan-base-to-win-a-national-title-were-in-a-race-to-get-it-done-as-fast-as-possible/

Blue Tick said:

I think we’ve turned the corner, he shaved.

WallandVol said:

Tennessee fans are perhaps the most delusional fanbase in the country. They harken back to a mythical past that does not exist. Heupel is already ahead of both Fulmer and Majors in terms of progressing towards a national championship.

WallandVol said:

Tennessee fans are perhaps the most delusional fanbase in the country. They harken back to a mythical past that does not exist. Heupel is already ahead of both Fulmer and Majors in terms of progressing towards a national championship.

WallandVol said:

Tennessee fans are perhaps the most delusional fanbase in the country. They harken back to a mythical past that does not exist. Heupel is already ahead of both Fulmer and Majors in terms of progressing towards a national championship.

KidzBop38 said:

In the minds of some here, we're just coming off a championship 3-peat and our expectations are 10-win seasons. Completely delusional.

Manute Vol said:

Well Fulmer won a NC in his 6th year..

Duluthvol68 said:

He is not ahead of Fulmer. Not remotely close to that. But Heupel did not have the advantage of having a very decent team to take over in 1993. It is up to Heupel and his staff to get them where we want them to be. He has my full support.

Dr. Curmudgeon 2.0 said:

TOO FUNNY! CJH, hasn’t come close to winning a NC and he certainly isn't ahead of majors or Fulmer.

WallandVol said:

Tennessee fans are perhaps the most delusional fanbase in the country. They harken back to a mythical past that does not exist. Heupel is already ahead of both Fulmer and Majors in terms of progressing towards a national championship.

WallandVol said:

He is so far ahead of Johnny. It took Majors eleven years to have a ten win season in a markedly weaker SEC. Heupel has two. Fulmer had a championship program to take over. Heupel inherited a dumpster fire. Contextually speaking, what Fulmer did was expected (and I love Phillip Fulmer). What Heupel has done is miraculous.

WallandVol said:

He is so far ahead of Johnny. It took Majors eleven years to have a ten win season in a markedly weaker SEC. Heupel has two. Fulmer had a championship program to take over. Heupel inherited a dumpster fire. Contextually speaking, what Fulmer did was expected (and I love Phillip Fulmer). What Heupel has done is miraculous.

WallandVol said:

I am a huge Fulmer fan. I think where I was coming from was Fulmer already had a great program (that he did more than his fair share to help build). The pace at which Heupel is growing the program is amazing. There will be growing pains. Anyone that doubts that needs to study the Majors rebuild from 1977-89.