Latest update on Josh Heupel's status

He flat out asked him if he was going to be here next season and his response was "We love Tennessee."

That's not exactly reassuring.

It is not wise to make declarative statements when asked these questions. THERE IS enough money out there to change ANYONE'S mind. It is also not smart to give up ALL leverage for a raise or bonus where you are? I am more comfortable he will not go to OU as long as Stoops is a kngpin in their inner circle. Dump Stoops and offer CJH 10 mil and I will lose my confidence. Alma Mater is Alma Mater... Majors answered , Dickey answered and others.... so it is a consideration.
 
Randall Cobb. Our dumbasses let him get away because of stupid stars

Per my memory, Fulmer was just too honest to Cobb. He told him he wasn't going to get a shot at QB here, and Kentucky told him that he would have a chance to play QB.

It's honestly very similar to the Wade twins out of the mid-state this year. Kentucky is telling the one that he will get a chance at quarterback, and Heupel very reasonably won't make that promise.
 
As crazy as the college coach carousel has been it's not weird at all to be concerned Heupel would leave. Look what Kiffin did....and Lincoln Riley...and coaches all the time say they aren't leaving...only to leave a few days later. Im a bit concerned he didn't answer Ainge question with a simple...direct..."I'm staying at UT." He was kind of evasive. Honestly...he responded how a coach who is considering leaving would respond. I hope he doesn't...but I'm not convinced he's staying by his answer to Ainge.
 
Per my memory, Fulmer was just too honest to Cobb. He told him he wasn't going to get a shot at QB here, and Kentucky told him that he would have a chance to play QB.

It's honestly very similar to the Wade twins out of the mid-state this year. Kentucky is telling the one that he will get a chance at quarterback, and Heupel very reasonably won't make that promise.
My bad I got that wrong. Didn’t know Cobb wanted to play QB guess that explains why he was such a smart receiver
 
Fickle isn't going to OU. Definitely not with the ND job open, IMO.

I doubt Stoops comes out of retirement unless he's really really hungry to get his teeth kicked in by Bama every year.

I can see Campbell leaving ISU, but he honestly seems fairly content there. He had a bad year this year with big expectations. That doesn't get him fired at ISU. That gets him fired at OU.

Mark Stoops I think is somewhat likely.

Venables has been courted for a ton of jobs. Dude seems happy as a DC, always has been. HC just isn't for some people.



The rest of the list is a wash, IMO. OU is a fairly bad job, just IMO. They're close to Dallas, sure, but that's all they have going for them. Kids flocked there because they won a bunch of meaningless games and had a chance to get their teeth kicked in by a much better opponent. Once they move to the SEC they're with us on the 2nd tier at best. JMO Tennessee is a better job than OU is. Knoxville >>>> Norman. Atlanta >> Dallas (playing talent). They're like 7 hours from Houston... 7 hours for us puts us in mid-Ohio, DC, Jacksonville, Mobile, AL or Memphis.

Plus we have lowered expectations after 20 years of sucking. OU still thinks they're a top-shelf program so whoever OU gets better win 10+ games every year. That's a hard task in the SEC-W.
If they get down to Mark Stoops then I don't think there's any doubt he jumps.

Campbell has a good situation but there's a lot of uncertainty after Texas and OU leave the B-12. This could be one of the jobs he's willing to take.

I think Bob coming out of retirement is a real possibility primarily because the change is sudden. He could stabilize things then turn it over to a replacement they took time to find in the future.... even as early as the summer. He is an uncommon asset in that kids would be willing to sign with him as the coach. He isn't just your typical interim quality coach.
 
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I heard his interview live and he never explicitly said he’s staying or will be here next year. I do believe he is staying but when pressed and asked point blank will you be here next year? His answer was as you said “the family loves it in Knoxville, we’re building a program we’re proud of, we have the resources to win here”. It was typical coach speak with no flat out denial or confirmation. If he leaves I would be surprised, but not because of the answer he gave today.

Sweet Jesus.

BVS abounds.
 
Maybe you heard something I didn't hear, but I didn't hear him say "I'm staying at Tennessee." I heard Ainge say that, but all CJH said was that he is still working to build something great at Tennessee and how much he loves Knoxville. Nor should he say "I'm staying at Tennessee" at this point, especially when discussing a job opening at his alma mater. I do hope he stays! But if he leaves, I'm on the Garth Train!!
The fact that he is willing to go on a show where he knows the question will arise tells me what I need to know - he is staying and wants to stop the rumors so he can recruit.
 
It is not wise to make declarative statements when asked these questions. THERE IS enough money out there to change ANYONE'S mind. It is also not smart to give up ALL leverage for a raise or bonus where you are? I am more comfortable he will not go to OU as long as Stoops is a kngpin in their inner circle. Dump Stoops and offer CJH 10 mil and I will lose my confidence. Alma Mater is Alma Mater... Majors answered , Dickey answered and others.... so it is a consideration.
Except ignore the CNN-level spin the guy you're responding to came up with. The whole quote is:

“We absolutely love Tennessee and believe what we’re going to be building here, and can’t be happier and more excited about what we’re going to be able to do next year and in the coming years.
 
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Seems he left just enough wiggle room to allow his agent to seek a raise for him. But I do not personally believe he has any intention of leaving and frankly, that OU has any intention of offering him. But as someone else put it, enough money would get pretty much anyone, pretty much anywhere.
 
He flat out asked him if he was going to be here next season and his response was "We love Tennessee."

That's not exactly reassuring.
Listen again.

He said, "Yeah. We absolutely love Tennessee...."

Or he said, "Yeah, we absolutely love Tennessee...."

You could argue the latter. It's hard to tell where people put the periods in their heads, when they talk fast (as Josh does).

But his immediate response to the question was the word yes, before anything else.

On top of which, Heupel asked for the interview. The radio station didn't. Erik Ainge didn't. Josh did. That also is telling. He could've stayed silent today. He chose to come on air and be asked that question, specifically so he could answer it. That's not something you do if you're trying to be evasive.

EDIT: verbatim transcript of that specific question and answer:

The Erik Ainge Show said:
Ainge: So, what I heard you say is, you're staying at Tennessee and coaching football, yeah?
Heupel: Yeah, we're...
Ainge: For this year, for now.
Heupel: Yeah. We...we absolutely love Tennessee, and believe in what we're going to be building here. And can't be happier and more excited about what we're gonna be able to do, next year and in the coming years.
 
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His statement on loving Knoxville and being invested in building at Tennessee are 100% genuine. But his statement should not be taken as lack of interest. You can be 100% invested in your current situation while considering another opportunity. If Oklahoma calls; he will listen and have a very difficult decision on his hands.
 

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