Heupel’s Climb: One Game Away from Breaking into College Football’s Elite Coaching Ranks
National college football analyst JD Pickell recently ranked Tennessee’s head coach, Josh Heupel, among the top 10 coaches in the nation, placing him at No. 10.
Heupel’s impressive leadership of the Tennessee Vols led them to their first-ever College Football Playoff appearance this past season.
Unfortunately, the Vols were eliminated in the first round following a tough defeat against the Ohio State Buckeyes, who ultimately went on to win the national championship.
While Pickell’s ranking may not sit well with everyone, it’s reasonable to say that it’s largely justified.
However, one ranking that is likely to spark debate is that of Kalen DeBoer, who is placed at No. 4 despite being the head coach at a program with a much shorter track record.
It’s also worth noting that LSU’s Brian Kelly, ranked at No. 8, might be another controversial inclusion, though Kelly’s substantial body of work at Notre Dame lends credibility to his ranking.
DeBoer’s high position likely stems from his team’s successful run to the national championship game in 2023, a feat that Heupel has yet to achieve.
Interestingly, every coach ranked ahead of Heupel on Pickell’s list has either secured a national championship, participated in the four-team playoff, or advanced past the first round of the recently expanded 12-team playoffs.
This suggests that a single game in the last few years may have played a critical role in limiting Heupel’s rise in the rankings.
For most Tennessee fans, it’s clear which game may have impacted Heupel’s standing: the Vols’ shocking loss to the South Carolina Gamecocks in 2022.
Had Tennessee won that game, they likely would have reached the four-team playoff, opening up the possibility for a deeper postseason run.
While a torn ACL to quarterback Hendon Hooker would have undoubtedly made it difficult to advance past the semifinals, the result of that game would have altered the narrative around Heupel’s coaching career.
Though it’s easy to argue that Heupel’s ranking reflects the impact of that single loss, it’s important to remember that Heupel cannot change the outcome of the 2022 game.
The challenge now is for him to prove that he can win significant games, especially on the road, if he hopes to move into the upper echelons of college football coaching.
Heupel will have a crucial opportunity to demonstrate his ability to win big road games in 2025, when Tennessee will face off against Florida and Alabama in challenging away contests.
The Vols have not triumphed in Gainesville or Tuscaloosa since 2003, underscoring the difficulty of these upcoming games.
As Heupel continues to build Tennessee’s program, his ability to secure key wins on the road in high-pressure situations could ultimately shape how he is perceived among the top coaches in the nation.
The potential for success in 2025 could significantly influence his future ranking, allowing him to prove that his time in the top 10 is well-deserved and perhaps even a stepping stone toward a higher position among college football’s elite coaches.
