For the first time since he took over as the head coach of the Tennessee Vols five years ago, Josh Heupel is hearing some noise this offseason.
Now, to be clear, Heupel isn’t on the hot seat. Nor should he be. But after going 8–5 in 2025, with a 21-point loss to Vanderbilt and a loss to Illinois in the Music City Bowl, there’s some restlessness among Vols fans this offseason.
I don’t necessarily think that’s fair — the parity in the sport thanks to NIL and the transfer portal means the margin between an 8-5 season and a spot in the College Football Playoff is often only a few plays (that was certainly true for the Vols in 2025). But it’s the reality of college football these days…