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Josh Heupel Coaching History & Bio
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| Josh Heupel Teams Coached | Years Coached | Josh Heupel Coaching Record |
|---|---|---|
| UCF | 2018-2020 | 28-8 |
| Tennessee | 2021-Present | 37-15 |
- 2004: Oklahoma – Graduate assistant
- 2005: Arizona – Tight ends coach
- 2006-2010: Oklahoma – Quarterbacks coach
- 2011-2014: Oklahoma – Co-offensive coordinator/QB coach
- 2015: Utah State – Assistant head coach/offensive coordinator/QB coach
- 2016-17: Missouri – Offensive coordinator/QB coach
- 2018-20: UCF – Head coach
- 2021-present: Tennessee – Head coach
Josh Heupel Coaching History
Josh Heupel entered his fourth year as Tennessee football’s head coach in 2024.
The former national champion and Heisman runner-up at Oklahoma in 2000 is quickly rising in the ranks of the most brilliant offensive minds in the game. The Vols’ offense could be best described as hapless before Heupel arrived in 2021, but now it is one of the best in the sport, if not the best.
His backstory goes so much deeper than that, though. Heupel began his college journey at Weber State in Ogden, Utah. He ended up transferring to Snow College in Ephraim, Utah, and was given a scholarship offer to Utah State, but decided to play for Bob Stoops and Mike Leach at Oklahoma instead. From there, Heupel had a brief stint in the NFL before entering the coaching world.
His first gig was at Oklahoma as a graduate assistant. He made a brief stop at Arizona before returning to Norman in various roles until 2014, when Utah State hired Heupel as its offensive coordinator. Missouri offered the same position the following year and Heupel accepted, staying with the Tigers for 2 seasons.
That’s when his head coaching career began. Heupel took over for Scott Frost at UCF in 2018 and remained the Knights’ head coach for 3 years until he ended up at Tennessee. And Heupel has already shown that he is capable of so much more than just being an offensive mastermind.
It’s already been noted that the Vols were dreadful offensively before Heupel arrived, putting up some of the worst numbers in the SEC in 2020 before Jeremy Pruitt was fired. When the 2021 spring game came around and Heupel showed off his uptempo spread offense, people in Knoxville were elated. It was apparent quickly that either Tennessee would drastically improve offensively or at least be fun to watch as a nice change of pace. As it turned out, both could be true.
Heupel’s first season doesn’t look incredible on paper, but was a sight for sore eyes in East Tennessee. Tennessee finished 7-6 with a controversial bowl loss to Purdue and was a QB change away from a win at Pitt. Really, Heupel’s only major blunder in Year 1 was opting for Joe Milton III over Hendon Hooker to start the year. The defense needed some work, too. But all in all, the seeds for a successful football team in Knoxville had been planted.
Perhaps Heupel’s best season (so far) as a head coach came in 2022. With Hendon Hooker under center, Heupel’s offensive system flourished. Tennessee broke several offensive records on the way to a 11-2 finish, Tennessee’s best since 2007. Heupel and offensive coordinator Alex Golesh’s offense was firing on all cylinders, but Tennessee was better than average on defense as well.
Every offense Heupel touches turns to gold. Missouri and Drew Lock played well with Heupel as OC, UCF was one of the most exciting Group of 5 schools in the country and Tennessee has been a top-5 offense in the sport since his arrival in 2021.
And he’s just getting started.
Did Josh Heupel Play College Football?
Yes, Heupel was a star quarterback at Oklahoma. He led Oklahoma to the 2000 BCS national championship. Heupel also finished second in Heisman Trophy voting in 2000.
FAQs About Josh Heupel
What is Josh Heupel's Salary
Heupel is set to make $9 million this season, which is tied for 10th nationally and sixth in the SEC. He also has incentives that could increase his pay by $1 million. Heupel earned a $200,000 bonus for getting the Volunteers to the College Football Playoff in 2024.
What is the Length of Josh Heupel's Contract?
Heupel was rewarded with an extension in December 2023 that extended the original contract he signed with Tennessee in 2021. His deal now runs through the 2028 season.
What is Josh Heupel's Buyout?
Heupel would owed 75% of his remaining salary if he’s fired without cause between Dec. 15, 2025 and Dec. 14, 2027. If he’s fired after that date, the buyout would decrease to just 50% of his remaining salary. Should Huepel level Tennessee for another job, he would have to pay $5 to get out of his contract.
Has Josh Heupel Won a National Championship?
Heupsl was the quarterback for an undefeated Sooners team in 2000 that claimed its title by defeating Florida State in the Orange Bowl.
Did Josh Heupel Play in the NFL?
Heupel was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the sixth round of the 2001 NFL Draft (177th overall), but never played in a regular season game as a professional. Tendinitis in his throwing arm during the 2001 preseason led to his being released by the Dolphins. He signed with the Green Bay Packers the following year, but again failed to make the team before deciding to turn his attention to a coaching career.
Award-winning columnist Brett Friedlander has covered the ACC and college basketball since the 1980s.
