Danny White: Josh Heupel was the best person to turn things around at Tennessee

Danny White witnessed the potential of Josh Heupel firsthand at UCF from 2018-20, and now he is seeing it come to fruition at Tennessee. Heupel coached the Knights to a 28-8 overall record, including a 12-0 finish in the 2018 regular season, becoming one of the top young coaches in college football.

So when White, the UCF athletic director from 2015-21, left Orlando to take over the same role in Knoxville in 2021, he brought Heupel along with him. Two years later, that decision has already paid off, as Heupel has the Volunteers football team at 7-0 and No. 3 in the country.

White appeared on the broadcast for Saturday’s 65-24 victory against Tennessee-Martin, where he reflected on why he chose to bring Heupel with him and the success it has brought the program thus far.

“Ultimately I think coaching hires pretty much come down to a gut decision,” he said. “We assessed the marketplace across the country and talked to a bunch of folks. Just really felt like what I learned from the leadership group of our team and the culture they wanted here was kind of what we had in place at UCF down in Orlando. Thought Josh was the best person to get it going here. He’s making me look like maybe I know what I’m doing here.”

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Tennessee’s 7-0 start is its best since the 1998 season, during which it claimed its most recent national championship. The Volunteers have notched victories against four ranked opponents this year, including a thrilling 52-49 victory against Alabama in Week 7. That win was also their first against the Crimson Tide in 15 years, and left no doubt about their place in the College Football Playoff conversation.

After a five-touchdown performance against Alabama, receiver Jaylin Hyatt once again led the Tennessee offense in Saturday’s win against UT-Martin. Hyatt finished with seven catches for 174 yards and two touchdowns in the win, marking the fourth time in the past five games he has recorded at least two touchdowns.

Heupel led the Volunteers to a 7-6 record in his inaugural season, perhaps a sign at the huge leap he would take in Year 2. Tennessee entered Saturday’s contest first in the country in total offense and second in scoring offense, and again put together another explosive performance.

Danny White will hope Josh Heupel can keep up this season’s success when the Volunteers host Kentucky at 7 p.m. ET next Saturday in Knoxville.