WATCH: Tennessee Football hits the field for practice No. 2
Tennessee was back indoors for the first part of Thursday’s second practice of fall camp. The rule changes in college football to allow more coaches on the field has changed some things but for Josh Heupel, it’s a learning process.
“I don’t think you’re accelerating your installs necessarily,” Heupel said. “I do think there are times when you can break out into more intentional, specific pods with your front and your interior. We’re talking about LEOs and those guys being able to break off. You have more eyes (and) more guys who are able to coach your secondary, so you can split those guys up more in some of your drills.”
The biggest change is helmet to helmet communication as select Tennessee players get used to hearing coaches in their ears before the play starts. Longterm this is a big plus but there is definitely some getting used to in this area.
“Quarterbacks get tired of hearing us in the headsets,” Heupel said. “It’s unique. You have a plan for it, and you have to be ready if it goes out too. At times, there are issues that occur with headsets. You have to pre-plan that too. It’s an opportunity, it’s a tool to use. We’re trying to be intentional on how we do that on both sides of the ball. At the same time, you have to be ready to operate without it.”
So what coaches are communicating with Nico Iamaleava and Keenan Pili?
“Offensively, (Joey Halzle) and myself,” Heupel said. “Defensively, it will be coach (Tim Banks). We hadn’t actually had the true gameday set, but we should have that fully operational as we go to the scrimmage.”
Tennessee has an early off day tomorrow and will return to the practice field on Saturday with their first work in shoulder pads as the shells come on for this 2024 group.
