There is zero doubt in my mind that he should have. It tells me he overvalued Joe as he always has.
The choices made by any HC today concerning the transfer portal portend the future decisions a coach will make as the season plays out. Heup told us his plan without being forced to tell us his plan. He has always said Joe. He said Joe three seasons ago. Joe blew it and got hurt as well. HH saved their bacon. He believed in Joe as the HC at UCF as he came out of HS and wanted him. Joe went to Michigan. So Joe fails two previous times and Heup still goes with Joe again this season. It's OK to say he has been irrational about his belief in Joe.
It's like the homecoming queen you wanted to date in HS that went with other guys through the years. You are still not over the crush on her and given the opportunity you date her. She was not into you when it mattered most, now you are just the backup dude and she has baggage. You date and she messes up. You let some time go by and reconcile. You try it again and it fails, yet you keep trying anyway.
The difference is Heup married his career at UT to Joe for a few years. Joe had proven baggage that could not be addressed. It will be over soon, thankfully. But the damage the relationship caused the family (team) and friends (fans) is going to leave a mark that will need time to heal.
So Heup has to begin with fixes that heal this offseason to get the program back on track. he needs to learn the lessons about player fixation and hiring high quality coaches. The money is there for the later, so do it. Saban, Smart, Day, etc. do. So should UT.