NFL coach makes strong statement about Tennessee football that should make Vols fans feel even better about Josh Heupel

An anonymous NFL coach made a comment about the Tennessee Vols at the NFL scouting combine this week that should make UT fans feel even better than they already do about head coach Josh Heupel.

According to Tennessee Volunteers on Sports Illustrated’s Brooks Austin, an NFL coach at the combine pointed out that UT, for the first time in a long time, is “smart”.

From SI.com: That program (Tennessee) for the first time in a long time is smart. They aren’t cutting any corners. For years, that fan base has been a circular firing squad to their own detriment….That program needed discipline, and Josh provides it.” — (The rest of quote is at Sports Illustrated)

That revelation won’t come as surprise to Vols fans — Tennessee went through a decade of ups-and-downs thanks to poor leadership. But it has to be reassuring for Vols fans to know that an NFL coach recognizes that Tennessee currently has elite leadership and discipline. That signals that Heupel’s success in Knoxville over the last four years isn’t a fluke, it’s not luck — it’s the result of a smart approach that’s sustainable.

There are inevitably going to be some ups-and-downs for Heupel during his tenure at Tennessee. Some seasons are more challenging than others for a myriad of reasons. Injuries can tank a season. Sometimes a player that was set to play a big role just doesn’t “get it”. Sports rarely play out as expected.

Heupel, however, has provided the program with a solid foundation that should result in Tennessee being an an annual College Football Playoff contender moving forward. Whether or not that results in a national championship remains to be seen (winning a natty in college football might be one of the hardest things in sports to accomplish), but there’s no doubt that the Vols are in as good of as spot as they’ve been since Phillip Fulmer was roaming the sidelines on Rocky Top.