Tennessee coach Josh Heupel’s departure from Oklahoma was the main topic of conversation when the Vols played the Sooners last season. The divorce from Oklahoma still seems to be defining Heupel to this day.
Entering his fifth season as the Vols’ head coach, Heupel announced three new coaching hires this week, none of which were particularly awe-inspiring and, more importantly, might just be a window into Heupel’s psyche. If Heupel ever makes a splash hire at Tennessee, it will be his first. Is he still a bit reticent – or even paranoid – that his secrets to success may get out of Knoxville? One could certainly make that argument.
Heupel announced the hirings of Levorn “Chop” Harbin as outside linebackers coach, Evan Crabtree as special teams coordinator and John Bonamego as assistant special teams coach with spring practice set to begin on March 7. Understandably, Heupel wanted a full coaching staff for spring drills, but did he settle with the new trio or, perhaps, even hesitate to add an outsider to his staff for fear that his offense or culture-based program might be duplicated elsewhere? The case could easily be made.
It’s worth noting that Harbin and Crabtree were previously analysts under Heupel. Bonamego has to be close to retirement considering his coaching career began in 1987. At least in the latter stages of his career, Bonamego isn’t a threat to share any trade secrets.
It’s also worth nothing that Tennessee’s entire offensive coaching staff, other than offensive line coach Glen Elarbee and running backs coach De’Rail Sims, were promoted from analysts to assistants by Heupel. Elarbee came with Heupel to Tennessee in 2021 after already coaching with him for four season.
Offensive coordinator Joey Halzle, receivers coach Kelsey Pope and tight ends coach Alec Abeln were all chosen to climb the ladder instead of Heupel looking elsewhere. Pope and Abeln were off-field analyst for the Vols before their current roles.
Heupel can easily dismiss any notion that his coaching staff is too inbred. He can just say the most recent moves benefit the Vols’ team chemistry, which he claimed when the hires were announced.
“We are excited about the cohesiveness of our coaching staff,” Heupel said in a statement. “Chop and Evan understand the culture and standard of excellence that we have built here over the past four years. Both have strong relationships with our players, and it will make for a seamless transition as we get ready for spring practice.”
Well, that sounds good. However, critics will point to Tennessee’s offense in 2024 as a reason why Heupel should have been a bit more choosey with his coaching hires. The Vols certainly haven’t looked nearly as explosive as they did in 2022. Remember that? They were so outstanding on offense that former Tennessee offensive coordinator Alex Golesh was hired as the head coach at South Florida.
Looking for another potential head coaching candidate among the Vols’ assistants? Good luck. Defensive coordinator Tim Banks has been a head coaching candidate, but no one else seems to be trying to raid Tennessee’s staff.
One certainly can’t blame Heupel if he’s still paranoid a decade after he was dismissed as Oklahoma’s offensive coordinator. Heupel doesn’t have the same foundation that former Alabama coach Nick Saban had when he hired Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin as his offensive coordinator in before the 2014 season. That move took guts and confidence. Saban knew Kiffin wouldn’t usurp him in Tuscaloosa. Moreover, Saban knew there was time to let a new offense grow thanks to his previous success.
Heupel doesn’t have the same pedestal that Saban had. He certainly doesn’t have the same hiring philosophy, and he also doesn’t appear to have the confidence to make any sort of awe-inspiring hire.
