Josh Heupel reveals the impact relationship with Danny White had on taking Tennessee job

When athletic director Danny White was looking to make a hire for Tennessee, he turned to a familiar name with Josh Heupel. The two held the same positions they do now in Knoxville while at UCF, having success as a top-level Group of Five program. Now, things have been replicated in the Power Five, breaking onto the scene this season.

Heupel was recently asked how much of an impact White had on taking the Tennessee job, where he said the relationship helped. He was able to trust what White was saying about the state of the program and knew they could have instant success. If there was anyone else in charge at the time, the Heupel era may have never come to life.

“One of the things that were important to me was figuring out what the landscape truly was,” Heupel said. “My relationship with Danny allowed me to have great trust in the things that I was hearing were the actual things that were going on and the truth of where we were at and how we were going to get to where we needed to go.

“The ability to have that relationship with him allowed me to trust everything that I was hearing, believe in the opportunity that was here. And then also, once I took the job, to truly hit the ground running from the first moment.”

White left UCF in favor of Tennessee in January of 2021. One of his first moves was to take action on the open head coaching position. Jeremy Pruitt was leaving Knoxville in disgrace and a serious rebuild was needed for the Volunteers.

The search did not take long for White as days later, he announced Heupel as the man for the job. After a long string of failures, this one seems to be working out well in Rocky Top. After all, the 2022 season was one of the best since Phillip Fulmer was in charge.

Tennessee had double-digit wins for the first time since 2007 and was seriously considered an SEC and College Football Playoff contender for most of the year. Arguably more importantly, Hepeul broke a 15-year drought to rival Alabama, nearly burning Neyland Stadium to the ground with a party.

Heupel is likely glad his preexisting relationship with White led him to Knoxville and the feeling is likely reciprocated. But both would likely tell you the biggest things with Tennessee are yet to come.