Josh Heupel explains importance of keeping Bru McCoy involved with team

The Tennessee Volunteers took a massive blow in their win against South Carolina when they lost star wide receiver Bru McCoy for the rest of the season. In the Volunteers’ 41-20 victory, McCoy suffered a fracture-dislocation of his right ankle. He has since undergone successful surgery and is now on the road to recovery. 

McCoy is currently away from the team as he recovers. That said, Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel plans to keep his star wideout involved with the team and team activities. During a press conference on Wednesday, the Volunteers headman explained his reason for doing so and why he believes it’s vital during McCoy’s road to recovery. 

“I think for us and for him, that would be important as his recovery takes place, and he’s able to get back into the building and be around it,” said Heupel. “It’s extremely important for our football team, the wide receiver room. He’s developed into an unbelievable leader inside of our program. And for him, too, I just think it’s important to be around the guys that care about you and still be a part of it. He will be a huge part of it when he gets back.” 

Heupel is ensuring that it is crystal clear to McCoy that he has a home within the Tennessee program. And despite not being on the field, he will still be a part of their success going forward in 2023.  

While he is away from the team recovering, Heupel and crew are making sure that they stay close to the hip of McCoy, ensuring that he’s aware of his value to the program regardless of his injury. 

“I’ve been over there; a bunch of our teammates and staff have been over to see him. Like I said, everybody can understand all the time (and) effort that goes into getting yourself ready to play your best football during the course of a season, and nobody prepared harder than he did. he invested the right way. And when you invest, and you have an injury like he had, it’s hard, it’s devastating, and you feel like it’s an opportunity that no longer exists; I’m talking about this season,” said Heupel. 

“The early days of that are hard. I think it’s the hardest part of being an athlete; you’re constantly pushing towards something, and all of a sudden you have an injury. However long it is, you’re kind of in no man’s land. And as he starts his recovery process, I think that’s the next best thing because you’re working toward something.” 

Recovering from a season-ending injury is undoubtedly a difficult task. Still, McCoy can contribute to the Tennessee and its continued success in other ways. Arguably, the most important way he can do so, as Heupel pointed out, is by being a strong leader on the sideline.