Heupel’s opening statement from the main stage is transcribed below.
“I’d like to welcome to you to mid-state and the city of Nashville,” Heupel said. “Hope you guys have had a great week here, enjoying some music, enjoying Broadway and having some fun. This city and this area of the state, mid-state, is extremely important to the success of Tennessee. It’s a big part of our past success, as well, and a lot of great Vol fans and former players that call this place home, and so excited to see them. It’s fitting that we are here today for SEC media day, because in 44 days we get an opportunity to kick off against Virginia right here in Nissan Stadium. Looking forward to seeing everybody in Vol nation show up in droves for that ballgame.
“As I was getting ready for today, you know, just started writing down some notes last night and really started to reflect just on the past two years and what has transpired inside of our program at our university, and where we’re come in such a short amount of time. When I took over two years ago, there was so much uncertainty that surrounded our program in late January, and because of the connection and accountability and the love and trust we’ve built inside of the building with our players and staff, we’ve been able to climb relatively quickly, but to go back to that time, you know, we were a program that entered that fall with only 65 scholarships, the uncertainty of an investigation that was taking place on our campus. I said in a room just like this two years ago that it would be a speed bump for the program, our football program, and a few days ago, we found out that that certainly was the case. We have navigated it in such a positive way because of the leadership that we have. Phenomenal leadership on our campus from President (Randy) Boyd to Chancellor (Donde) Plowman to our athletic director. We have been transparent and real, and been able to close that narrative on our program and move forward. I’m not sure that there’s a better time to be a Vol. You look at the trajectory of our football program, what’s happened over the last two years and where we are going, and the energy and excitement that surrounds our building every day, our fan base, Vol nation across the country, but the success happening in each and every sport that resides inside of our athletic department. Phenomenal leadership with coaches and great student athletes that do things the right way.”
Tennessee will kick off its 2023 season Sept. 2 versus Virginia at Nissan Stadium in Nashville. Kickoff between the Vols and Cavaliers is slated for noon EDT and will be televised by ABC.
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