Josh Heupel credits Tennessee fans after impressive regular season

If there is one thing you can say about Tennessee fans, it’s that they’re passionate. This can put a lot of pressure on coaches, but it also makes the great moments that much more special. At the end of Josh Heupel’s second season as the Tennessee head coach, there have been plenty of special moments.

After Tennessee’s win over Vanderbilt, Josh Heupel praised Tennessee’s fans and thanked them for the season.

“I do want to start out just by thanking our fans,” Josh Heupel said. “They were fantastic tonight. Showed out in droves on a night where it was not the prettiest of weather. They stayed. We feel them and appreciate them.”

“They’ve been on this journey with us, together this season, but really over the last two years. Appreciate their support. Our players, it means a lot to them.”

Tennessee fans will have one more chance to show up and support the Volunteers. It will be in the Orange Bowl against Clemson. Josh Heupel and the Volunteers will once again be happy to have as many people there as possible.

Josh Heupel on preparing for the Orange Bowl

The Orange Bowl has been good to Josh Heupel, who won a national championship as a player by winning the game. Now, he explained how he’s preparing the Volunteer for the game as a head coach.

“Yeah, at the end of the day, the game is the most important thing. It’s the most memorable thing of all the week of festivities. I think it’s important that you enjoy the build up and enjoy the opportunity to see a new place and the new culture and enjoy the festivities of the week. But at the end of the day, the most important thing is the game and so when it’s time to lock into your game preparation your practice, you got to be completely, completely invested in those moments,” Josh Heupel explained.

“And at the end of the day, at the end of the week, man, you’re gonna get an opportunity to play in a very special game. This is an historic and iconic game. A lot of these guys have grown up in an era of watching the importance of this football game. I know that I grew up in that as well and this is a special opportunity. You’re gonna have the entire country watching this football game when this is slotted here on TV and it’s a special opportunity, a special moment. (It’s a) memory that you’ll have forever.”