When Paul Finebaum speaks, college football fans tend to listen-whether they agree with him or not. Known for his bold takes and no-filter commentary, Finebaum stirred the pot once again this week with a one-word assessment of Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel: “average.”
That’s the word he dropped during an appearance on the Beat Everyone podcast when asked to describe several top college football coaches in a single word. For Heupel, Finebaum didn’t mince words-or maybe he did, depending on how you look at it. "Average" might be just one word, but it carries a lot of weight, especially when you're talking about a coach who's helped reshape Tennessee football.
Let’s take a closer look at that label. Because calling Josh Heupel “average” doesn’t quite square with the numbers-or the trajectory-he’s put together since arriving in Knoxville.
Heupel’s Impact: Beyond the Box Score
Since taking over the Vols program, Heupel has done more than just steady the ship-he’s reignited a fanbase and brought Tennessee back into the national conversation. In fact, he’s already stacked up more double-digit win seasons than the previous four Tennessee head coaches combined. That’s not just a stat; that’s a statement.
His 2022 campaign was a turning point. Eleven wins.
The first time Tennessee had hit that number since the Phillip Fulmer era back in 2001. That season didn’t just feel special-it was special.
The Vols knocked off Alabama in a thriller, climbed the rankings, and reminded the rest of the SEC that Rocky Top still matters.
And it’s not just about wins. Heupel’s offense has consistently ranked among the top 10 nationally, year after year.
High-tempo, high-octane, and hard to stop. It’s the kind of system that not only puts points on the board but also puts players on NFL radars.
NFL Pipeline Is Flowing
Speaking of the next level, Heupel’s influence is showing up on Sundays too. James Pearce Jr. is turning heads as a potential Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Darnell Wright has been a rock protecting Caleb Williams. And Jaylen Wright?
He just had a breakout performance that reminded everyone why he was so highly regarded coming out of college.
That kind of player development matters. It shows that Heupel isn’t just running a flashy offense-he’s building pros. That resonates with recruits, and it’s one of the reasons Tennessee’s talent pipeline is trending up.
The 2025 Setback: Context Matters
Now, let’s be fair. Tennessee did take a step back in 2025, finishing 8-4.
But not all 8-4 seasons are created equal. The Vols were a couple of plays away from flipping close games against Georgia and Oklahoma-two teams that were firmly in the playoff hunt.
A bounce here, a call there, and we're talking about a completely different postseason picture.
So yes, the record might not pop off the page. But the context tells a more complete story.
Heupel had this team competing. And in the SEC, where the margin for error is razor-thin, that counts for a lot.
Vols Fans Know the Difference
For Tennessee fans, there’s no confusion about where Heupel stands. After the rollercoaster years under Butch Jones and Jeremy Pruitt-coaches who never quite elevated the program beyond mediocrity-Heupel has brought hope, energy, and results.
He’s made the playoffs. He’s beaten top-ranked teams.
He’s built an identity.
That’s not “average.” That’s progress.
That’s relevance. That’s a program trending in the right direction.
Final Thought
Finebaum’s take may have been designed to spark debate-and in that sense, mission accomplished. But when you look at what Josh Heupel has actually done in Knoxville, it’s hard to justify calling it average. The numbers, the wins, the player development, the big-game moments-they all point to a coach who’s doing something special.
So if “average” is the word, it might be time to redefine what that means. Because in the world of SEC football, Josh Heupel is doing a lot more than just keeping pace. He’s building something that looks a lot like sustained success.