The SEC coaching carousel didn’t just turn on Sunday-it went full throttle, with five programs announcing new head coaches in a matter of hours. Among the most notable moves: Tulane’s Jon Sumrall is heading to Gainesville to take over at Florida, after the Gators reportedly missed out on Lane Kiffin. That decision sets off a chain reaction across the conference, and yes, it could ripple into Knoxville.
As Sumrall begins assembling his staff in Gainesville, all eyes are on who he’ll tap to run his offense. A few early names have surfaced, and one of them stands out-Tennessee offensive coordinator Joey Halzle.
Now, Halzle’s name being in the mix might raise a few eyebrows. He’s been a staple alongside Josh Heupel for years, going all the way back to their Oklahoma days.
He started as a graduate assistant working with quarterbacks under Heupel, then followed him on his coaching journey through Utah State, Missouri, and UCF. When Heupel landed the Tennessee job, Halzle came along and eventually rose to offensive coordinator in 2023.
Simply put, Halzle hasn’t coached a game without Heupel since this partnership began.
But the Florida job could present a unique opportunity for Halzle to step out of Heupel’s shadow and build something of his own. That’s the kind of move that can redefine a coach’s trajectory.
Sumrall is reportedly evaluating a handful of candidates for the OC role, including Pitt’s Kade Bell and Georgia Tech’s Buster Faulkner. Faulkner, in particular, has drawn attention for his work with Haynes King and an offense that ranks 12th nationally. But Halzle brings something different to the table-a deep understanding of tempo-based, vertical offenses, and a proven ability to adapt.
Let’s not forget how Tennessee’s offense has evolved under Halzle. When Alex Golesh left for South Florida after the 2022 season, Halzle took the reins and shifted gears.
With Hendon Hooker off to the NFL, the Vols leaned more heavily on the run game in 2023. But this season, with Joey Aguilar stepping in at quarterback, Halzle brought back more of the explosive, spread-it-out DNA that made Tennessee so dangerous two years ago.
The result? A unit that finished sixth in the nation in total offense, averaging a staggering 482 yards per game.
That kind of production doesn’t go unnoticed. Neither does the fact that Halzle’s fingerprints are all over Tennessee’s offensive identity. He’s not just calling plays-he’s shaping a system that continues to evolve, even as personnel changes.
Of course, there’s a lot to consider. Halzle has never taken a job away from Heupel, and Tennessee is coming off another strong offensive season. But if he’s looking for a chance to make his mark as a play-caller and leader, Florida could be that opportunity.
Meanwhile, Tennessee could be impacted in other ways too. Alex Golesh, now at Auburn, has ties to several members of the current Vols staff.
Defensive line coach Rodney Garner, for example, is an Auburn alum and is working under an expiring contract. It’s something to monitor as the coaching dominoes continue to fall.
For now, Halzle’s name is just one of several in the mix for Florida’s offensive coordinator job. But it’s a name worth watching-especially if Sumrall is looking for a proven play-caller with SEC experience and a track record of offensive innovation.