Tennessee HC Josh Heupel Speaks At SEC Media Days
With the season coming up in just over a month, that marks the time for SEC Media Days. Throughout the week, every SEC team was represented by their head coach and select players. Thursday, it was the Vols' turn. Head coach Josh Heupel took the stand after Lane Kiffin and Shane Beamer to address the media heading into the 2023 season, a campaign that holds immense hype.
Heupel started things off by talking about the uncertainty that was there when he arrived. That quickly faded, thanks to "connection, accountability, love, and trust." When asked about the investigation on Tennessee that just concluded and the penalties enforced against the Vols, Heupel said that the program navigated it in a positive way because of the leadership in Knoxville. He added that he's not sure there's been a better time to be a Vol, with the success of all the programs and the energy within the fanbase and the building.
When I asked Heupel about starting quarterback Joe Milton III, he pointed to Joe's trust and ability to recognize where he can grow, adding that Milton has an opportunity to do everything he wants on the football field this season. The Volunteer Coach remarked that no one in the building was surprised by Joe's success last season due to his preparation and urgency. "It's rare that a young man like Joe is able to sit back and trust the people around him.... He knows 'if I stick this thing out and compete every day, I’m going to grow offensively'".
He wrapped things up by talking about the Volunteer culture and how important stability is to those in the program, including coaches promoted from within. For good measure, Heupel threw a jab at Texas when asked who could lay claim to "UT." Heupel elaborated, "There is only one real UT, one right shade of orange." As the festivities of the week die down, Tennessee fans can dig into the comments from Heupel, as well as Milton, Omari Thomas, and Jacob Warren. Football is right around the corner, and the season opener is rapidly approaching.
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