Tennessee coach Josh Heupel’s reputation received a boost in the Nico Iamaleava divorce. After all, he stood up for the Vols.
Right?
I can’t say that I’m 100-percent convinced that Heupel did, indeed, pull the Big Orange carpet out from underneath his former quarterback. In fact, I’m having trouble believing the narrative that is out there.
Now, to be clear, Heupel didn’t start this narrative. The media and fans did. Heupel is just reaping the rewards – and who could blame him – even if he doesn’t deserve them.
Per various reports, Iamaleava informed Tennessee offensive coordinator Joey Halzle on the eve of the Orange and White Game that he would be entering the transfer portal. Heupel didn’t tell his team or go public with the news until after the Vols’ final spring practice of the season. So was Heupel as valiant as many have perceived, or did he simply get dumped? Probably a little bit of both.
There is no question that Iamaleava made the first move. Simply asking for a raise before the Orange and White Game wasn’t in good taste. Skipping practice on Friday wasn’t a good move either. The question is when did Heupel step in?
Heupel could have been caught flat-footed and left unaware, but there’s no reason to believe that’s the case. Conversely, Heupel could have been more aggressive during other occasions in which Iamaleava wanted more money. Had that been the case, things would likely not have gotten as dire as they did. However, I think there’s a happy medium.
Heupel didn’t want Iamaleava to transfer and he didn’t want a distraction that could affect his much-ballyhooed team chemistry. That’s why he couldn’t let Iamaleava into the transfer portal even if he was just testing his worth.
A championship-caliber team can’t have its starting quarterback flirting with other teams. Heupel has let that go on before with other players, but a team’s quarterback is its identity. Moreover, there’s no reason to think Iamaleava wouldn’t have asked for more money before the season-opener against Syracuse or the incredibly important game against Georgia. That wouldn’t work out so well and would surely cause an even bigger stir than what we saw last week.
My hunch is this. Heupel’s line in the sand was entering the transfer portal, not asking for more money. Sure, he didn’t want Iamaleava to transfer, but he also didn’t want a quarterback working the transfer portal. If you’re one of Tennessee’s rivals, it would be in your best interest to offer Iamaleava more money just to affect the Vols’ NIL ledger. Perhaps you land him. Perhaps Tennessee pays more and the Vols have less NIL funds elsewhere. Either way is a win for an opposing coach.
So is Heupel suddenly the warrior against NIL mishandling? Perhaps, but I’m not so sure given the recent history of the Vols and NIL.
Tennessee faced similar NIL discussions with receiver Mike Matthews and defensive back Rickey Gibson III. They had to pay those players and, in doing so, set a bad precedent. The Vols don’t want to be known as the school in which players can play for pay while still negotiating a better deal elsewhere.
Regardless of how valiant Heupel might have been, he ended a precedent. Coaches love talent. They’ll do almost anything for it, but Heupel was smart enough not to let it go any further. If he’ll part ways with his star quarterback, he’ll split up with anyone.
