Let’s appreciate what we have with Josh Heupel

#53
#53
Not sure if Heup will ever win a natty but he’s the best coach UT has had since Fulmer, 42-16 thru 58 games. He’s been consistent and stable and Tennessee was in dire need of that after Dooley , Butch and Pruitt. Heupel has exceeded mine and im pretty sure everyones expectations since he became coach in 2021. Heupel walked into a dumpster fire and has made us a relevant program again while programs like Auburn and Florida are still in the dumpster trying to get out. i think sometimes cause im a kinda spoiled and entitled fan that i don’t stop and appreciate the great job that Josh has done here in 4 and a half seasons.
 
#54
#54
You'd be surprised. There are MANY on here that just don't like Josh Heupel for some reason. Some don't like him because his offense is "gimmicky", some don't like him because he isn't a mouthy coach like Kiffin and is a little awkward in front of the camera, some don't like him because they expect coaches to come into an absolute dumpster fire of a program and immediately recruit top 3 classes, and most are just ungrateful/ drank themselves into forgetting the last 15 years.
These people are just plain lacking in any common sense. Auburn won a natty since us and look at the shape they are in. Cue USC, UCLA, Florida, FSU, PSU, my god Nebraska ...
 
#56
#56
I like coach Heupel. I don't like his coach speak and I don't like that he never gets on their rear end when they need it. I think he is a good coach.
How do you know he never gets on their rear end? Does it matter? I never responded well to chewing out. I responded very well to encouragement and constructive correction. You have to read the player.
 
#57
#57
You'd be surprised. There are MANY on here that just don't like Josh Heupel for some reason. Some don't like him because his offense is "gimmicky", some don't like him because he isn't a mouthy coach like Kiffin and is a little awkward in front of the camera, some don't like him because they expect coaches to come into an absolute dumpster fire of a program and immediately recruit top 3 classes, and most are just ungrateful/ drank themselves into forgetting the last 15 years.
Did you just define the Legions of the Miserable?
 
#58
#58
The part of these discussions that gets tired is the assumed black and white nature of the feelings towards Coach Heupel. There are some that think what Heupel has done is miraculous and therefore he should not be criticized and others who think he's awful. I'd say both of these camps are wrong. I think where many of the fans are at is recognition and appreciation for what Heupel has done - taken our program from irrelevance to relevance - and hoping that he can get over the hump from good to great and compete for national titles. He's earned the right to have some additional time to get there but I don't think a fanbase has to apologize for having high expectations - Tennessee has all of the resources needed to compete at the highest level.
I think some may be protective of Heupel because the legions of the miserable and the morons that were running the program for the 15 years prior had made my life miserable as a Vol fan. The program is on an upward trajectory, a playoff spot is there for the taking, and I no longer “hope” for a win, we no longer take back seat to nobody.
 
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#60
#60
I do appreciate it...everyday, especially on Saturdays. He and Danny White have done great things. But I am NOT naive enough to believe it's sustainable. History has shown it is not, year in and year out. Ride the wave, just know that wave will hit the beach and be no more. TN rode Fulmer past his shelf life - and paid dearly for it, albeit unintentionally. And it paid many more dues it didn't want to. Are we willing to go decades between feast or famine?
 
#62
#62
For now, yes. But at SOME point, not saying this year, not saying next year, but at some point, fans will no longer be content with simply winning 8-10 games a year and getting into the playoffs once every 3-4 years. Eventually Huepel will need to win something significant. A conference championship, a natty, something. Otherwise he could wind up in a James Franklin situation.
Tennessee hasn't won less than 9 games since 2021. What makes you guys say 8(-10) games all the time when that's not a thing that really happens under Heupel?
 
#63
#63
Yeah this thread has been made for the last 3 coaches. It usually signaled impending doom.
Winning percentages of the last 4 coaches
Derek Dooley: 42% 15-21
Butch Jones: 54% 34-29
Jeremy Pruit: 45% 16-19

JOSH HEUPEL: 72.4% 42-16

Heupel has almost 3 times as many wins as 2 out of 3 of the guys you're referencing. And he did it while dealing with some of the harshest recruiting restrictions of the modern era. He walked into a 3-win team that lost 38 of the most talented guys to the portal, and turned them into an 11-win team in 2 years. He's not perfect but he's a damn good coach who has outperformed expectations almost every single season he's been here.
 
#64
#64
Winning percentages of the last 4 coaches
Derek Dooley: 42% 15-21
Butch Jones: 54% 34-29
Jeremy Pruit: 45% 16-19

JOSH HEUPEL: 72.4% 42-16

Heupel has almost 3 times as many wins as 2 out of 3 of the guys you're referencing. And he did it while dealing with some of the harshest recruiting restrictions of the modern era. He walked into a 3-win team that lost 38 of the most talented guys to the portal, and turned them into an 11-win team in 2 years. He's not perfect but he's a damn good coach who has outperformed expectations almost every single season he's been here.
Thank you for defending the reality using facts to support an opinion.
 
#65
#65
Winning percentages of the last 4 coaches
Derek Dooley: 42% 15-21
Butch Jones: 54% 34-29
Jeremy Pruit: 45% 16-19

JOSH HEUPEL: 72.4% 42-16

Heupel has almost 3 times as many wins as 2 out of 3 of the guys you're referencing. And he did it while dealing with some of the harshest recruiting restrictions of the modern era. He walked into a 3-win team that lost 38 of the most talented guys to the portal, and turned them into an 11-win team in 2 years. He's not perfect but he's a damn good coach who has outperformed expectations almost every single season he's been here.
My post was not to say that Heupel is on par with those guys. It was to point out how silly the “So and so Appreciation Threads” are because a lot of people here would appreciate Ted Bundy if he wore PMS 151.
 
#70
#70
For now, yes. But at SOME point, not saying this year, not saying next year, but at some point, fans will no longer be content with simply winning 8-10 games a year and getting into the playoffs once every 3-4 years. Eventually Huepel will need to win something significant. A conference championship, a natty, something. Otherwise he could wind up in a James Franklin situation.
I'm fine with it. Historically that's what our program is...well...closer to 8 wins rather than 10, but we are who and what we are.

Frankly I've never expected a natty in any sport at UT. Not realistic IMO, and I say this after 7 decades of experience with this program. After that much time, I've simply learned to live in the 5th stage of grief.

Groundhog day year after bloody year. Go Vols? Yeah, why not.
 
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#71
#71
I'm fine with it. Historically that's what our program is...well...closer to 8 wins rather than 10, but we are who and what we are.

Frankly I've never expected a natty in any sport at UT. Not realistic IMO, and I say this after 7 decades of experience with this program. After that much time, I've simply learned to live in the 5th stage of grief.

Groundhog day year after bloody year. Go Vols? Yeah, why not.
We are closer to 9 wins actually. The worst era of UT football from 2008-2020 really hurt our win percentage.
 
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#72
#72
A lot of people don't like him because they claimed he was gonna be a failure when he was first hired and they'd give anything to be proven right. They don't actually hate him. They hate that he has made them look like absolute clowns.

They never liked the hire and no amount of success will change their mind. These fools are the same ones that cry about anything they see as a mistake or something to hold against him.

@Ulysees E. McGill calls them a big part of "The Idiot Margin". . .

This is so true, and isn't limited to sports. Many (most?) people just hate to be seen as being wrong about anything, with classic examples in politics and real world issues in recent years.

They will stare facts in the face and insist that they are right and those facts are somehow off base. Sadly, these often seem to be the most opinionated people among us.
 
#73
#73
Heupel is a good coach with flaws but he isnt a Championsip coach. He wont win a SEC Title much less a Natty but he will field solid good teams most seasons.
 
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#75
#75
I'm fine with it. Historically that's what our program is...well...closer to 8 wins rather than 10, but we are who and what we are.

Frankly I've never expected a natty in any sport at UT. Not realistic IMO, and I say this after 7 decades of experience with this program. After that much time, I've simply learned to live in the 5th stage of grief.

Groundhog day year after bloody year. Go Vols? Yeah, why not.
Loser's mentality..........you're meeting expectations.
 
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