Josh Heupel opens up on familiarity, connection to Florida ahead of Orange Bowl

Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel has a long connection with the state of Florida, going back to his playing days and his first head coaching role with UCF. Now, he’s set to return to coach in the Orange Bowl against Clemson.

In the Orange Bowl press conference, Josh Heupel was asked about Tennessee’s ties to the state of Florida. In particular, Heupel’s time at UCF and quarterback Joe Milton being from Florida.

“Joe is certainly going to be excited about having an opportunity to go play in an area that he’s certainly familiar with,” Josh Heupel said. “But so many friends, and families, and coaches, and mentors have been a part of his life that will have an opportunity to come see him play in the football game.”

Josh Heupel then spoke about his own perspective on playing in Florida. He agreed that his time as UCF’s head coach had its impact, but also pointed to his own experience playing in and coaching the Orange Bowl.

“Certainly for me, have familiarity with the state of Florida, having been down there. A lot of our staff does as well. Having recruited down there, it’s a place that we certainly know well. But, not just through my experience down there as a coach, also just having played in this bowl game as a player, having coached in two previous times as well. This is a great week leading up to the kickoff. The bowl committee does an unbelievable job of taking care of the athlete and the staff. It’s absolutely first class.

In 2001, Josh Heupel led Oklahoma to an Orange Bowl win over Florida State. That earned the Sooners the national championship.

Josh Heupel on losing Alex Golesh

Tennessee offensive coordinator Alex Golesh took the USF job, leaving a gap for the Volunteers to fill.

“Certainly, losing Alex is something that we’re excited about. I think it speaks to the growth inside of our program, and when I say that, just that success that we’re having on the field in the style of play, the culture that we have inside of our building–for him to have an opportunity to go run his own program is one that I and our staff are excited for him to have that opportunity,” Josh Heupel said.

“In the coming days, we’ll understand how we want to fill that out on the recruiting trail, and then as we get into game preparation as well, but excited for him. And, again, I think it speaks so well to what our players and our staff have done in a short amount of time here at Tennessee.”