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Josh Heupel named SEC Coach of the Year by Associated Press

IMG_3593by: Grant Ramey12/05/22GrantRamey
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Credit: (Donald Page / Stringer PhotoG/Getty)

Josh Heupel took over a Tennessee program in January 2021 that had just finished cleaning house while an NCAA investigation hovered overhead, looking into multiple recruiting violations alleged against the coaching staff he was replacing.

Just 22 months later, he had the Vols at No. 1 in the first College Football Playoff ranking of the 2022 season, after his team started 8-0 with streak-snapping wins over rivals Florida and Alabama.

On Monday, the Associated Press named Heupel the SEC’s Coach of the Year after he led the Vols to a 10-2 record and to their first New Years Six bowl game.

Tennessee, which finished at No. 6 in the final College Football Playoff Top 25 of the season, will face No. 7 Clemson in the Capital One Orange Bowl on December 30 (8 p.m. Eastern Time; TV: ESPN) at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.

“This season was a really unique one,” Heupel said on Sunday. “So proud of the accomplishments that we had on the football field. It’s truly a team that’s connected, that competes extremely hard. We’re really proud of the steps that we’re making.”

Four Tennessee players voted All-SEC by Associated Press

Tennessee redshirt senior quarterback Hendon Hooker was named the SEC’s Offensive Player of the Year and First Team quarterback by the AP. Junior receiver Jalin Hyatt was a unanimous pick at First Team receiver. Left tackle Darnell Wright was named First Team, too, while defensive end Byron Young was a Second Team pick.

Hooker produced 3,565 total yards this season and 33 total touchdowns in 11 game. He’s a finalist for both the Maxwell Award and the Manning Award.

“The growth of our program is a direct correlation to what (Hooker) done,” Heupel said, “what he’s invested, how he’s helped build the culture inside of our locker room. 

“Dynamic play-maker that has played his best in the biggest moments. Fierce competitor that makes a ton of plays.”

Up Next: No. 6 Tennessee vs. No. 7 Clemson, Orange Bowl, December 30, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN

Hyatt, a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award, finished the regular season leading the country in touchdowns, with his 15 setting a new Tennessee program record. He finished with 1,267 receiving yards, only 31 yards short of matching the Tennessee record held by Robert Meachem, who had 1,298 yards in 2006.

Young had 14 quarterback hits, 10.0 tackles for loss and 5.0 sacks in 12 games this season, finishing the regular season with 34 tackles in 12 games. Wright anchored an offensive line that gave up just 23.0 sacks through 12 games.

Heupel led the Vols to a 7-6 record last season, in his first year at Tennessee, then started Year 2 with eight straight wins, including the 38-33 win over Florida, the 40-13 win at LSU and the 52-49 thriller over Alabama.

Former Tennessee offensive coordinator Alex Golesh, who was introduced as the new head coach at South Florida on Sunday, was named a finalist for the Broyles Award — given annually to college football’s top assistant coach — last week. 

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