Outlook for the next few years

[njvols]

I for one am extremely optimistic about our future under Heupel. Now am I saying we are gonna win a NC? No. I hope we do but fans need to understand just how difficult winning a NC truly is. Since 1990, only 29 teams have won a NC. Considering how many D1 schools there are, the odds are not in our favor to win one.

Now do I think we can win one? Yes I do. I think Heupel is good enough. Although there are factors that will have to go our way for that to happen. As far as this season goes? I don’t know what to expect to be honest. I don’t see us winning fewer than 8 games but beyond that it’s a mystery.

I think if JH has a qb who can make the offense go at high level and D comes back to UT standards that a lot of everything else will take care of itself. I think we are seeing adjustment in mindset maybe coming from Barnes that if you spend the money on high impact NIL transfers who fit culture and maybe less $$$ for development players on your bench, the impact can be significant. Know it’s a balancing act, growing your team internally, but a heavier lean into Jimmy’s and Joe’s on the field may be the way to go in today’s game.

 

[Remy]

Ask uga how they felt about Richt winning 9 games each year, but not getting over the hump. Tennessee will do the same to Heupel if he doesn't get it done.

I can't see Heupel being on The Hill his tenth year unless he has something significant to show for it. Significant like SECCG or playoff run without bowing out the first game. I think if Faizon is what everyone says he is and if Heupel can get that 5 star RB out of Chatt. Baylor you have to let those two play out together on Rocky Top. If he gets those two or their equivalents year 9 should be his last if he can't get something significant done.

 

[LWSVOL]

Just because it’s of no significance to you the money aspect of coaching and player pay is a SIGNIFICANT part of the equation in today’s world when it comes to expectations of winning.

So expectations were less in the 90s when it came to fans desire for winning? Could have fooled me... sold out stadium throughout that time with waiting lists.. and no player pay with lot less coaching payments... ticket prices were better for fans as well.. my seats were 2/3rds less than what they bring today.. and I got better entertainment...

 

[LWSVOL]

I think if JH has a qb who can make the offense go at high level and D comes back to UT standards that a lot of everything else will take care of itself. I think we are seeing adjustment in mindset maybe coming from Barnes that if you spend the money on high impact NIL transfers who fit culture and maybe less $$$ for development players on your bench, the impact can be significant. Know it’s a balancing act, growing your team internally, but a heavier lean into Jimmy’s and Joe’s on the field may be the way to go in today’s game.

I think some of the big dollars from those rich guys was diverted from their planned football giving toward basketball and Barnes based on his successes and their perceived future success at basketball. Will they return in the fall to the same level of giving for football? TBD.

They have soured on some of the big payouts to football players that ended up not giving ROI and ultimately leaving. My guess is, they return and help as in the past but it is a question at this point.

 

[SayUWantAreVOLution]

I think some of the big dollars from those rich guys was diverted from their planned football giving toward basketball and Barnes based on his successes and their perceived future success at basketball. Will they return in the fall to the same level of giving for football? TBD.

They have soured on some of the big payouts to football players that ended up not giving ROI and ultimately leaving. My guess is, they return and help as in the past but it is a question at this point.

I think this is a very good observation that UT isn't a school that can "super fund" football and basketball.

Choices are being made by big donors and maybe it will go "every other year" for the programs, but maybe it won't after the Nico and Boo issues.

It's a bit like academics, I guess, where depts are jostling for budget dollars for being able to get funds to recruit more staff and trying to keep a field of study from being cut by budget shortfalls.

Everyone won't be happy every year.

 

[wmcovol]

All I want is to beat Texas, LSU and Vandy this year.

Always, and I mean ALWAYS, beat Alabama. Never minimize beating those bastards

 

[Vol423]

I don't concern myself with salary so what they made/make is irrelavant to me. Just not a concern I have ever had. Same for players getting paid. No concern of mine.

IMO, money doesn't drive production. Players and coaches should produce to the best of their ability if making $100 or $9,000,000 dollars. As a fan I judge that based on resources they have versus resources they are going against.

As far as the % I understand that. But the 13 game schedules are much harder than the 10 and 11 game schedules from years ago. Take the 90s, it was Tennessee and Florida as the dominant teams in the SEC. Now you have 6-7 teams that are all fairly equal and then the others are capable of an upset on any given Saturday. Much tougher, IMO

Correct. The SEC is MUCH better now than it was in the 90's.

 

[wmcovol]

Correct. The SEC is MUCH better now than it was in the 90's.

Oh for the days when it was only Fla & Tennessee winning SEC championships. Alabama & LSU struggled & Arkansas & Miss St won the west

Those days, my friends, are over.

 

[marcusluvsvols]

We will make the playoffs in 2027 and 2028 with a legitimate shot to win it all. Not likely to ever be the favorite...but will have the talent and coaching prowess to get it done. I have been saying for quite some time and believe it more than ever right now.

As for 2026...8-4 is the most likely outcome IMO, but if we get good QB play then 9-3 is definitely possible. Lot to ask of a freshman QB who has never started a college game though. We had the youngest roster in the SEC by a mile last year. We brought in 51 or more new players between HS and the portal. Most of which are also underclassmen. In 27 and 28 those very talented players will be grown up, and we will add players of need primarily thru the portal for the next 2 years with smaller HS classes. The future is very bright on the Hill. GBO

 

[Heupel's Offseason Beard]

2026 will be Heupel's 6th season with us, and it feels like the general consensus amongst the Tennessee fans is that we're not expecting much this year and it will be a rebuilding year of sorts with us having to break in a new QB and learn a new Defense.

If we were to think big picture about our program and think about where we're going even beyond this upcoming season, how confident do you feel about Tennessee football and where we'll be in the next few years? Do you see championships in the next 3, 4, 5+ years? If not Is there a point in your mind where you think it's time for a change, so for example if it's Josh's 10 year and we haven't made it past the 1st round of the playoffs do we make a change?

I struggle because I feel like it would be reasonable to want a championship in the next 3 years. I feel like up until this point, Coach Heupel has done very well, but we need to take the next step to become great. I do feel confident from a tactical standpoint in Heupel's offense and Knowles defense. And I love the work that the new Strength and Conditioning coach has done and feel like it'll go a long way with developing mentally stronger and tougher players. But looking at our roster, it feels like the talent and potential is good but not quite championship level. And while Heupel's talent acquisition has been good up until this point, it hasn't quite reached the level of top tier whether it be HS Recruiting or Transfers. And it also doesn't feel like he's shown much improvement with game management and discipline which has been issues during his time here.

So my confidence in the next few years at our current trajectory is Luke Warm. Whether it's reasonable or unreasonable my hope and expectation is for a championship. And while I like the steps we've taken in improving the Staff, I'm uncertain that we have or will acquire enough quality top tier talent that would be necessary to win a Championship.

What are y'alls thoughts?

I don't get how people can look at all of the changes this offseason and not be thrilled. We hired a DC who won a championship 2 years ago, the best strength coach in the country, top 3 safeties coach in the country, #9 recruiting class, overhauled the entire secondary/ defense with experienced guys, went from a $1 million a year apparel deal to a $20 million a year deal. And to top it off we had to play A TON of young guys last year who showed they are very talented and now have the experience you need in this league. Heupel has been low-key cooking this offseason

 

[cgrish]

I think it's quite the opposite. I have no idea how you reach that conclusion.

Because he has won with lesser talent, especially the first few years, but using his recruits winning is down. Using Pruitts recruits he won more than he is now.

 

[GBO2011]

Because he has won with lesser talent, especially the first few years, but using his recruits winning is down. Using Pruitts recruits he won more than he is now.

I wouldn’t say “lesser talent” Pruitt put together some really good recruiting classes in those McDonald’s bags. They weren’t as flashy as the recruits Heupel’s getting but when Heupel was with them he won with a bunch of experienced 4 star recruits. It’s not like we were Vanderbilt.

 

[njvols]

I don't get how people can look at all of the changes this offseason and not be thrilled. We hired a DC who won a championship 2 years ago, the best strength coach in the country, top 3 safeties coach in the country, #9 recruiting class, overhauled the entire secondary/ defense with experienced guys, went from a $1 million a year apparel deal to a $20 million a year deal. And to top it off we had to play A TON of young guys last year who showed they are very talented and now have the experience you need in this league. Heupel has been low-key cooking this offseason

Not to mention the guy not talked about as much, in the strength and conditioning coach, who apparently had huge impact on IU rise. We may not be a "super fund" team as mentioned above, but we can certainly hang enough...and just like anything else, if our coaches are doing the right things, we've got an opportunity to get where we want to be. I also think, looking at NIL funding, that, all it takes is a "leapfrog year" where we get firmly back in upper tier, it won't take much to elevate our NIL $$$ funding.

 

[Jackcrevol]

2026 will be Heupel's 6th season with us, and it feels like the general consensus amongst the Tennessee fans is that we're not expecting much this year and it will be a rebuilding year of sorts with us having to break in a new QB and learn a new Defense.

If we were to think big picture about our program and think about where we're going even beyond this upcoming season, how confident do you feel about Tennessee football and where we'll be in the next few years? Do you see championships in the next 3, 4, 5+ years? If not Is there a point in your mind where you think it's time for a change, so for example if it's Josh's 10 year and we haven't made it past the 1st round of the playoffs do we make a change?

I struggle because I feel like it would be reasonable to want a championship in the next 3 years. I feel like up until this point, Coach Heupel has done very well, but we need to take the next step to become great. I do feel confident from a tactical standpoint in Heupel's offense and Knowles defense. And I love the work that the new Strength and Conditioning coach has done and feel like it'll go a long way with developing mentally stronger and tougher players. But looking at our roster, it feels like the talent and potential is good but not quite championship level. And while Heupel's talent acquisition has been good up until this point, it hasn't quite reached the level of top tier whether it be HS Recruiting or Transfers. And it also doesn't feel like he's shown much improvement with game management and discipline which has been issues during his time here.

So my confidence in the next few years at our current trajectory is Luke Warm. Whether it's reasonable or unreasonable my hope and expectation is for a championship. And while I like the steps we've taken in improving the Staff, I'm uncertain that we have or will acquire enough quality top tier talent that would be necessary to win a Championship.

What are y'alls thoughts?

I think the bigger issue is this: SEC schools and its President were told the Playoffs were expanding and that to do that they'd need to expand to 9 games. SEC got paid.

No one added a 9th conference game.

Sankey is a weak and ineffective leader.

 

[SayUWantAreVOLution]

I think the bigger issue is this: SEC schools and its President were told the Playoffs were expanding and that to do that they'd need to expand to 9 games. SEC got paid.

No one added a 9th conference game.

Sankey is a weak and ineffective leader.

Am I missing something? Didn't all the schools schedule 9 conference games starting in 2026?

2026-29 Tennessee SEC Football Opponents Unveiled - University of Tennessee Athletics

Opponents and sites for the next four seasons of Tennessee's Southeastern Conference football schedule were unveiled by the league office Tuesday night durin...

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[WoodsmanVol]

May our Vols strike terror in the souls of our opponents.

 

[Fatdad32]

In my opinion we shouldn't be so young in a day and age where you can buy your rosters. 18-20 yr olds competing against 21-24 yr olds will not on avg work. We seem to have a big budget and the use of it hasn't been great. I like Coach JH and really want him to succeed just head scratcher going into this year still being young and no real QB that's got experience. Really hope the young QB whoever it is plays special.

So far he has not been correct on QB -
Example Milton was the starter over Hooker-got hurt Hooker took over and looked great
Nico was not great and we lucked into the QB last year who played decent.

If we only win 7 games in year 6, not good.
8-4 meh type year
9-3 or better would be a good to great year

 

[GSPVol]

You people don't know what you've missed....

 

[JacketVol]

If Heupel can repeat every season, not including first here, over and over throughout his time here I will be happy and I believe that will win us a championship.

One more season, regardless if we win it all, where we end up #1 will make Heupel’s reputation sky rocket. If the defense drastically improves we will win a championship in the next four years.

Even if we don’t, if we are close, I will be happy. He is the most winning coach in program history percentage wise. Couldn’t ask for much more tbh.

Best winning percentage of ANY coach in program history. Yeah, let’s get rid of him. If you are posting to get rid of Josh to hire an idiot like we did for a stretch, you are the problem. Probably never contributed dollars before either. Just project your own misery on others.

 

[JacketVol]

How was that idiotic? He’s a good coach. But he’s married to his gimmick offense which, IMO, will never work when it comes to winning a championship. I think he has a fairly high floor. And he’s certainly better than the slop coaches we had that proceeded. To say that I don’t see him as a championship level coach is not a bizarre or off the cuff remark. It’s an observation based on what I’ve seen so far. Going around and calling someone an idiot in anonymity on the Internet takes zero thought, so congratulations.

Pay attention. His O is changing into more of a pro style from the wide split gimmick. If you are going to post facts, then learn them instead of creating falsities to fit your outdated narrative

 

[Hairy Vols]

Best winning percentage of ANY coach in program history. Yeah, let’s get rid of him. If you are posting to get rid of Josh to hire an idiot like we did for a stretch, you are the problem. Probably never contributed dollars before either. Just project your own misery on others.

Why did you quote what I said back to me? And where did I ever say get rid of him? Idk if you’re joking or agreeing with me lol.

 

[zooguy]

His decision making needs to be better.

- starting Milton over Hooker.
- Nico.
- Lucked into Joey Aguilar.

Who he picks at QB hasn’t been stellar.

 

[Bigorangefan 98]

Wait…. This is a rebuilding year?!?!? I swore that was last year. That’s right. It’s a “rebuild” every year. I’m sorry. People can bash me, call me what they want. I really don’t care, but Josh won’t get it done here. Year 6 and nothing to show for it honestly. Sure a couple good wins. But heck. Who beat UGA the last time?, and that dude sucked!!!!!

How many years does it take to rebuild lol

 

[Remy]

His decision making needs to be better.

- starting Milton over Hooker.
- Nico.
- Lucked into Joey Aguilar.

Who he picks at QB hasn’t been stellar.

It's why I chuckle everytime some rube gets on here and posts Heupel is a QB whisperer.

 

[jasonvol18]

Agree - You don’t see GA, Bama, Ohio St, etc “rebuild-” they reload every offseason. And now w/ the portal, no excuse to rebuild.

As much as it pains me to admit, my beloved Vols aren’t in the same league as the teams mentioned above. We may beat them during any given yr, but they are winning championships.

Not necessarily. We have the NIL to be top 10 every year. Depending on which site you look at, we are top 9-10 this year, ahead of Ga and almost the same as Alabama That's not even including the money we were throwing at Leavitt. As long as teams can hover around 10-15 in NIL spending, there's no excuse to not compete for the CFP. Between revenue sharing, Spyre and the NIL funds from Adidas, there's no excuse not to compete. With our supposed change in how we recruit and focus more on the portal, our spending will only go up. Not saying we will spend Texas,Ohio St,Miami and LSU type money, but staying in the ballpark keeps us competitive. Then it's on Heupel and his coaching staff to get us there.