Tag: Tony Basilio

2022 Vols’ football: Discussing Tennessee doubling its receiving stats from 2021

2022 Vols’ football: Discussing Tennessee doubling its receiving stats from 2021

Tennessee will kick off its 2022 season Thursday against Ball State at Neyland Stadium.

Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. EDT and SEC Network will televise the season-opening matchup.

Redshirt senior tight end Jacob Warren met with media Monday ahead of playing Ball State.

Warren discussed individual goals for the season.

“You set goals and you’re trying to meet those goals,” Warren said. “For me, personally, I want to double my stats. Whatever I had last year, I’m trying to double it. I don’t have to necessarily get into the numbers, but just having a lot more production in the pass game. It’s tough because we are trying to roll guys so if (Princeton Fant) gets five touches a game and I get one, that’s fine with me too.

“For me personally, I think just playing my role as the guy that can be an all-three-downs guy and do it to the best of my ability. That’s really my goal. At the end of the season we’re looking to be in Atlanta, we’re looking to win championships and win rings. Those team goals are also personal goals for me.”

‘Josh Heupel’s Offense’ e-book now available

Vols Wire discussed Josh Heupel’s offense doubling its receiving stats in 2022 by passing more on “The Tony Basilio Show” Aug. 26.

Discussion consisted of Tennessee’s passing offense, which could begin doubling its receiving stats with Thursday’s contest, in comparison to last year’s matchup against Bowling Green.

Seven players for Tennessee recorded receptions against Bowling Green. Four wide receivers (Jalin Hyatt, Cedric Tillman, JaVonta Payton, Grant Frerking) recorded nine of the Vols’ 12 receptions versus the Falcons.

Tennessee totaled 144 passing yards and one passing touchdown in the 2021 season-opener.

Below are the Vols’ receiving stats against Bowling Green, and in 2021 in which Tennessee student-athletes could double under Heupel during the duration of the 2022 campaign.

Latest on Tennessee’s football program amid internal investigation

Latest on Tennessee’s football program amid internal investigation.

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ESPN reported Thursday that Tennessee has not extended contracts of assistant football coaches, while also pausing the hiring of coaches to UT’s staff.

The University of Tennessee released a statement this week to Vols Wire in regards to an internal investigation that is taking place to determine if recruiting violations occurred within the program.

“We take seriously our institutional commitment to NCAA compliance, and are reviewing regulatory issues that have been brought to our attention. As part of that process, we are currently working with attorneys Kyle Skillman and Michael Glazier with Bond, Schoeneck & King. We will provide additional information when it’s appropriate.” — Tyra E. Haag, Director of News & Information, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Former Northern Illinois head coach Joe Novak serves on the NCAA Division I Committee on Infractions. He previously discussed the Tennessee investigation with Vols Wire, providing his opinion on the matter.

“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.”

Vols Wire discussed the latest information in regards to Tennessee’s football program on “The Tony Basilio Show” Thursday. The show can be listened to here.

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Latest on Hugh Freeze coaching a Power Five job

Latest on Hugh Freeze coaching a Power Five job.

Hugh Freeze is in his eighth season as a head coach at the FBS level in 2020.

He is in his second season as Liberty’s head coach after being in the same capacity at Ole Miss (2012-16) and Arkansas State (2011).

Freeze guided Liberty to its first ever bowl win last season and has started the 2020 campaign 8-1 with Power Five victories over Syracuse and Virginia Tech. His lone loss was at North Carolina State, 15-14.

Freeze has a winning background within the state of Tennessee.

He won two state championships (2002, 2004) at Briarcrest Christian School in Memphis.

The veteran head coach also experienced success at NAIA Lambuth University in Jackson, Tennessee. During the 2008 and 2009 seasons, Freeze compiled a 20-5 record and reached the NAIA playoffs.

Freeze’s success at Liberty, along with his proven track record, has placed his name at the center of a lot of Power Five programs possibly in looking to hiring him. The Knoxville News Sentinel even asked if Tennessee football should enter the Hugh Freeze sweepstakes?

After the Knoxville News Sentinel posed the question, Vols Wire looked into where Freeze stands to return as a head coach within the Power Five, Southeastern Conference and in the Volunteer State.

On “The Tony Basilio Show” Wednesday, Vols Wire discussed Freeze and his history with the University of Tennessee and the program being described as his dream job. The entire segment can be listened to here.

Vols Wire details Hugh Freeze’s three-man surface offense

Vols Wire breaks down Hugh Freeze’s offenses by the numbers as a head coach at the FBS level

Hugh Freeze joined the show “Tennessee Two-A-Days”

“I will never change what we do offensively. I don’t know all but what we’ve done, it’s had success everywhere we’ve been. It’s what I am familiar with and what I feel comfortable calling the game with, so we’re doing the same stuff.” — Hugh Freeze on the show “Tennessee Two-A-Days”

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