Tag: Josh Heupel

Tennessee hires UCF’s Josh Heupel as new head football coach

The University of Tennessee has hired former UCF coach Josh Heupel as its next head coach, following Level II recruiting violations.

2021 did not start off the way Tennessee football fans were hoping for.  On January 18th the University was hit with violations regarding recruits being handed McDonald’s bags full of cash as an incentive to come play for the Volunteers.  You truly can’t make this stuff up.  Anything for Tennessee to get any sort of edge in the SEC.

The Vols’ then head coach Jeremy Pruitt was swiftly fired.  The violation is classified as a Level II violation which is seen as the second worst out of four different levels.  Level II violations are systematic but not out of control, whereas a Level I violation is much more serious.

On Wednesday, as the university attempts to slowly patch up what was an already broken program and team, Tennessee hired former UCF head coach Josh Heupel.

Heupel spent the past three seasons as the UCF head coach where he was hired by then UCF athletic director Danny White, who also left for Tennessee and has now hired Heupel again.

“We looked at a number of potential candidates,” said White in a statement this Wednesday. “Josh Heupel, who I had the privilege of working with for three years, is everything we were looking for: winning with integrity, a history of championships and the architect of explosive offenses. He is a players’ coach and the kind of person the student-athletes go the extra mile for. I saw that first-hand, and you can see it in his coaching record.”

In 2018 Heupel replaced former UCF head coach Scott Frost, who guided UCF to an unbeaten 13-0 record the year prior.  Heupel will finish 28-8 in his head coaching career with the Knights.  He went 12-1 in during his first season in 2018.

“I am thrilled to be coming to Tennessee,” Heupel announced in the University of Tennessee’s statement. “I understand that Volunteer fans are hungry for a return to the top that they so richly deserve, and it is my goal and commitment to bring a championship back to Rocky Top.”

Josh Heupel details his commitment to bring a championship to Tennessee

The University of Tennessee has hired Josh Heupel as its next football head coach.

The University of Tennessee has hired Josh Heupel as its next football head coach.

Heupel comes to Tennessee after serving the last three seasons in the same capacity at UCF.

“I am thrilled to be coming to Tennessee,” Heupel said in a University of Tennessee press release. “I understand that Volunteer fans are hungry for a return to the top that they so richly deserve, and it is my goal and commitment to bring a championship back to Rocky Top.”

Oct 19, 2019; Orlando, FL; UCF Knights head coach Josh Heupel watches the scoreboard during the second half against the East Carolina Pirates at Spectrum Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

Heupel has Southeastern Conference coaching experience. He served as Missouri’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach from 2016-17.

He was Oklahoma’s starting quarterback during the Sooners’ BCS national championship season in 2000.

Heupel will be introduced as the Vols’ head coach at 12:05 p.m. EST.

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Tennessee quarterback Kaidon Salter comments on Josh Heupel hiring

The University of Tennessee has hired Josh Heupel as its next head coach.

The University of Tennessee has hired Josh Heupel as its next head coach.

Heupel has a history of fielding potent offenses as UCF’s head coach and as an offensive coordinator at Missouri, Utah State and Oklahoma.

Quarterback Kaidon Salter signed with Tennessee during the early signing period last month.

Salter took to Twitter Wednesday following Tennessee’s announcement that Heupel was hired. Salter stated, “let’s ride.”

Salter is a dual-threat prospect from Cedar Hill, Texas. The 6-foot-1, 185-pound quarterback committed to Tennessee over Auburn, Baylor and Ole Miss.

“We looked at a number of potential candidates. Josh Heupel, who I had the privilege of working with for three years, is everything we were looking for: winning with integrity, a history of championships and the architect of explosive offenses. He is a players’ coach and the kind of person the student-athletes go the extra mile for. I saw that first-hand, and you can see it in his coaching record.” –Tennessee athletics director Danny White

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Tennessee hires Josh Heupel as head coach

The University of Tennessee has hired Josh Heupel as its next football head coach.

The University of Tennessee has hired Josh Heupel as its next football head coach.

Danny White was hired as Tennessee’s athletics director on Jan. 22. He came to Tennessee from the University of Central Florida.

White hired Heupel as head coach at UCF ahead of the 2018 season. He has since hired Heupel to lead Tennessee’s football program.

UT press release:

Josh Heupel, the former Oklahoma quarterback who led his team to the national title, and who as an assistant coach and head coach captured conference championships at Oklahoma and UCF, has been named Tennessee’s 27th head football coach, Vice Chancellor/Director of Athletics Danny White announced on Wednesday.

Heupel will be formally introduced during a live-streamed press conference Wednesday at 12:05 p.m. ET on UTsports.com and SEC Network.

“We looked at a number of potential candidates,” White said. “Josh Heupel, who I had the privilege of working with for three years, is everything we were looking for: winning with integrity, a history of championships and the architect of explosive offenses. He is a players’ coach and the kind of person the student-athletes go the extra mile for. I saw that first-hand, and you can see it in his coaching record.”

With a pedigree of fast-paced and exciting teams, Heupel was named the 2018 First Year Coach of the Year by the Football Writers Association of America, and he was a finalist for the Associated Press National Coach of the Year Award, the Paul “Bear” Bryant Coach of the Year Award and the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award that same season.

“I am thrilled to be coming to Tennessee,” Heupel said. “I understand that Volunteer fans are hungry for a return to the top that they so richly deserve, and it is my goal and commitment to bring a championship back to Rocky Top.”

An elite playcaller with a history of explosive offenses, Heupel was the architect of a unit that ranked in the FBS top 10 in points per game in each of his three seasons as UCF head coach—eighth in 2020 (42.2), fifth in 2019 (43.4) and sixth in 2018 (43.2). The Knights also ranked in the top five in the FBS in total offense per game in each of those three seasons—second in 2020 (568.1), second in 2019 (540.5) and fourth in 2018 (522.7).

“We brought Danny White in to hire a talented coach who can be here for a long time and build a championship program,” UT Knoxville Chancellor Donde Plowman said. “Coach Heupel has compiled an impressive record, and I think Vols fans can look forward to a bright and exciting future. We are delighted to welcome him and his family to Tennessee.”

Under Heupel’s watch, UCF was the only team in the country to rank among the top five in the country in total offense each of the last three years, and the Knights were the only program in the nation to average at least 522.7 yards of total offense in each of the last three seasons.

Heupel became head coach at UCF in 2018 and promptly became one of only three coaches in college football history to lead a team to an undefeated regular season in his first year with them. That season, his team posted a 12-1 overall record, earning the American Athletic Conference championship and a berth to the Fiesta Bowl.

The following year, his team compiled a 10-3 mark, earning a fourth consecutive bowl invitation. Overall, he posted a 28-8 record at UCF and a stellar 20-5 mark in conference play.

Heupel is no stranger to putting up big offensive numbers in the Southeastern Conference. Prior to his successful run at UCF, he served as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Missouri from 2016-17.

In 2015, prior to Heupel’s arrival, Missouri ranked 124th in the nation in total offense (280.9). In 2016, the Tigers led the SEC and ranked 13th nationally, averaging 500.5 yards per game. In 2017, Mizzou ranked eighth in the nation in total offense, averaging 502.2 yards per game. The Tigers were also 14th in the nation in scoring at 37.5 points per game.

Mizzou quarterback Drew Lock shined under Heupel’s tutelage. Lock led the SEC in passing as a sophomore, throwing for 3,399 yards and 23 touchdowns. He followed that with an even stronger junior season in 2017, passing for 3,964 yards and a then-SEC record 44 touchdown tosses.

Prior to his time in Columbia, Heupel served as the assistant head coach and offensive coordinator at Utah State in 2015, and he was a member of Bob Stoops’ coaching staff at Oklahoma from 2006-14. During his time with the Sooners, he helped develop Heisman Trophy winners Sam Bradford and Jason White at Oklahoma.

As a player, he was a national champion as Oklahoma’s quarterback in 2000. He was runner-up for the Heisman Trophy in 2000 while leading the Sooners to a victory over Florida State in the 2001 Orange Bowl, sealing the national title for the OU. In 2001, Heupel was the Associated Press Player of the Year, Walter Camp Award winner, Archie Griffin Award winner and a consensus All-American.

During his two seasons as the starting quarterback at Oklahoma, Heupel posted a 20-5 record. He passed for 7,456 yards and 53 touchdowns. Overall, he still ranks among OU’s top three quarterbacks in passing yards, completions and touchdown passes, despite playing just two seasons.

An Aberdeen, South Dakota, native, Heupel earned his bachelor’s degree in business marketing from Oklahoma in 2001. He and his wife, Dawn, have two children—daughter Hannah and son Jace.

Josh Heupel’s coaching staff has connection with NCAA Division I Committee on Infractions

Danny White was hired as Tennessee’s athletics director on Jan. 22.

Danny White was hired as Tennessee’s athletics director on Jan. 22.

White has since launched a search to hire the Vols’ next football head coach.

The search is taking place as the UT football program is having an ongoing internal investigation to alleged recruiting wrongdoings from the previous staff.

White came to Tennessee after serving in the same capacity at Central Florida. White hired Josh Heupel as the Knights’ head coach ahead of the 2018 season.

Heupel is now a candidate to become Tennessee’s next head coach.

Tennessee’s coaching search showcased Minnesota’s P.J. Fleck as a candidate. Vols Wire previously detailed how Fleck coming to Tennessee could benefit the Vols when presenting findings of wrongdoings to the NCAA jury.

Fleck has a connection with the NCAA Division I Committee on Infractions.

The Minnesota head coach played for Joe Novak at Northern Illinois. Novak is part of the jury that serves on the NCAA Division I Committee on Infractions.

Fleck has since elected to remain at Minnesota and Heupel has become a strong candidate at Tennessee.

Joe Novak head coach of the Northern Illinois Huskies looks on during a game against the Ohio State Buckeyes on September 2, 2006 at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State won the game 35-12. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Central Florida co-offensive coordinator and tight ends coach Alex Golesh watches warmups before an NCAA college football game against Tulsa, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Heupel’s UCF coaching staff also has a connection with Novak.

UCF co-offensive coordinator and tight ends coach Alex Golesh coached for Novak at Northern Illinois from 2006-07. Novak retired following the 2007 season.

The former Northern Illinois head coach discussed Tennessee’s internal investigation with Vols Wire last month.

“Schools are NCAA members, so if they find a violation on campus, they are obligated to turn themselves in,” Novak told Vols Wire.“Since this thing is so public, I am sure the NCAA is aware of it. Technically, Tennessee has an obligation, after they review it, if they find that there are violations, they are obligated to turn themselves in.”

Novak previously joined the show “Tennessee Two-A-Days” and can be listened to here or below.

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Bob Stoops, Josh Heupel, Roy Williams on 2021 College Football Hall of Fame Ballot

Amidst the coronavirus pandemic and a foggy outlook on college football in 2020, OU and others received positive news on Tuesday morning. 

Amidst the coronavirus pandemic and a foggy outlook on college football in 2020, Oklahoma and many others received some positive news on Tuesday morning.

The College Football Hall of Fame is all sails ahead for welcoming its 2021 class. Greats from past and near present are on it, including three members from Oklahoma.

Bob Stoops’ status amongst college football can’t be questioned. His longevity of coaching and success is unparalleled for the common head college football coach. In his 17-year tenure, Stoops became the winningest head coach in Oklahoma history while leading the Sooners to one national championship (2000), four national championship game appearances (2000, ’03, ’04, ’08), one College Football Playoff appearance (2015), 10 Big 12 Championships and won every BCS bowl game. He has a statue standing outside the south end zone at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.

Joining Stoops on the 2021 College Football Hall of Fame Ballot are his players Josh Heupel and Roy Williams. Heupel set all the passing records in only two seasons at Oklahoma while being a 2000 consensus First Team All-American, Walter Camp Player of the Year in 2000 and also the Heisman Trophy runner-up. He helped end Oklahoma’s 15-year National Championship drought.

Williams was a 2001 unanimous First Team All-American and won the 2001 Nagurski (best defensive player) and Thorpe (best defensive back) awards. He also was a part of the 2000 National Championship team.

The 2021 College Football Hall of Fame Ballot is due by July 7. The newest members will be inducted on Dec. 7, 2021, with the official announcement of who makes it coming in early 2021.

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Five years later: A retelling of Samaje Perine’s record-breaking 427-yard game

On this day five years ago, Samaje Perine did the unthinkable. Sooners Wire’s Brayden Conover was there, takes you through the historic day.

Records and awards are broken and won all the time at the University of Oklahoma.

While going through one of the worst seasons in the Bob Stoops’ Era, you’d be hard pressed to find a better moment or performance than Samaje Perine’s 427-yard NCAA record breaking performance. 

Perine, a freshman at the time, carried it 34 times to break Melvin Gordon’s record set a week prior, and TCU great LaDainian Tomlinson’s that was set in 1999. 

On the fifth anniversary of this performance, Sooners Wire’s Brayden Conover gives you his perspective on that day from inside Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma.

NOV. 22, 2014.

It was a rainy, chilly and dreary Saturday in Oklahoma.

Just as we always did, my step-dad and I got to our seats plenty early to watch warmups. We sat in section 18, row five, seats 26-28 so we had a close view of the visiting team’s warmups and would throw kicking balls that escaped the net in the North end zone back to trainers. After a lengthy lightening delay, we made our way back to our seats, already drenched and oblivious to what was about to take place.

We knew that with the weather, the Sooners would likely keep it on the ground with a combination of Samaje Perine, Keith Ford and Alex Ross.

Perine, though, had other plans.

On Oklahoma’s first possession, Perine stayed on the sideline as Ford got the start. After a negative one yard run and two five yard gains from Ford, the Sooners punted away.

Oklahoma regained possession after a Kansas three-and-out. This time, Perine jogged onto the field. All he needed was one play to kick off his historic day, taking it 49 yards to the house on the first play of the drive. The smallest crowd I’ve seen at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium erupted as the Perine gained the lead for the Sooners.

On the next drive, Ford checks back in and fumbles after two plays, giving Kansas the ball.

After an uneventful rest of the quarter, Perine finished with 61 yards on six carries after the first quarter and the Sooners were up 10-0.

From there, Oklahoma’s career rushing yards leader took over.

In the second-quarter, Perine tallied 161 yards on 12 carries with two touchdowns. He dominated the Jayhawks to the tune of 222 yards and three touchdowns on just 18 first half carries.

At halftime, there were rumblings that if he kept the pace, he would break Melvin Gordon’s record of 408 rushing yards that was set just the week prior as Wisconsin beat Nebraska also on a rainy Madison, Wisconsin day. Of course, no one really thought a true freshman would break a record that was previously held by TCU’s LaDainian Tomlison (406 yards) and stood for nearly 16 seasons just seven days after the new bar was set.

But once again, Perine had other plans.

On Oklahoma’s first possession of the third quarter, Perine once again needed just one play. Running 66 yards for a touchdown, the crowd that remained knew they were in for a treat.

The chants began as the offense jogged off the field.

“PERINE! PERINE! PERINE!”

The 30,000 or so fans that remained, had their voices heard as the chants reverberated against the empty metal bleachers.

Some 288 yards and four touchdowns on 19 carries with 13:56 left in the third. Everyone in the stadium hoped the defense could get the ball back as soon as possible, just to see No. 32 trot out there again.

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