ATLANTA – Tennessee’s players have complete faith in their head coach. However, the timeline of being true believers varies a bit.
Quarterback Hendon Hooker didn’t have any doubt that first-year Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel would be successful almost immediately after he was hired. Hooker took one look at Heupel’s playbook and was sold.
“Day one,” Hooker said when asked when he had complete faith in Tennessee’s new coaching staff. “When they introduced the offense and I’m looking at the plays like ‘Aw, we’re going to have a great time’”
The Vols certainly had a great time last season, at least based on preseason prognosticators that were wary of the Vols having yet another head coach. Instead of finishing with a losing record as many had predicted, the Vols finished 7-6 last season. That was considerable progress after the debacle that occurred before Heupel arrived.
Hooker’s primary target, receiver Cedric Tillman, wasn’t won over quite as quickly as Hooker. That makes sense. Tillman has seen coaches come and go at Tennessee since signing with the Vols in 2018. Tillman said he began to believe in Heupel’s approach shortly after spring practice. Then, Tillman was 100-percent on-board early last season as things began to fall into place.
“I think there were three times for me,” the senior said. “After going through spring ball and going into the summer, I was confident that we were going to shock the world.”
Still, Tillman needed more game-time convincing. That didn’t take long. Despite a 38-14 loss to Florida in Tennessee’s fourth game, Tillman left Gainesville with more confidence than he had before.
“I didn’t get as many catches and touches as I wanted to, but I was real comfortable out there,” Tillman said. “I felt like I was getting open. Obviously, the next week, it’s no shocker that at Mizzou things started to take off. Those three points were the flipping points of the season (for me).”
The Missouri game was, indeed, memorable for any offensive player on Tennessee’s team. The Vols beat the Tigers 62-24. Tillman caught four passes for 73 yards and a touchdown.
In just one year, Hooker and Tillman have gone from unknowns to preseason award candidates. That’s quite a turnaround. Suddenly, the Vols – especially their offense – is one of the best storylines in the SEC, if not the nation. Hooker said he hears all of the positive chatter around Tennessee’s program. He appreciates the encouragement, but he takes it in stride.
“All of that is motivation, I thank them for their support,” Hooker said. “I thank all supporters and all naysayers as well. All we want to do is strive to be the best we can day in and day out.”
Hooker and his teammates can now do that without any reservations.
