What a relief it was to find Josh Heupel’s name back on Stewart Mandel’s list of the top 25 coaches in college football. That’s a career-saver. It probably means he can survive this upcoming season no matter what happens in the young quarterback race.

Such a significant national honor may even trigger another bonus.

Somewhat more seriously, Josh is No. 17, behind five in the Southeastern Conference multi-million-dollar brotherhood but ahead of two other league honorees and the eight left off the list.

Listen up when I say Heupel is smart. When NFL scouts criticized wide receivers’ lack of development at Tennessee, the coach made adjustments.

He set a limit on Vol defensive mediocrity and did something about that.

Even with the smarts, Heupel dropped two notches on Mandel’s list. That’s what getting clobbered by Vanderbilt will do for a reputation.

So, who is Stewart Mandel? Glad you asked. He is the resident expert on college football and basketball at The Athletic, a profitable subscription website of the fading New York Times. Almost enough said.

Even though he lives in California and probably voted for the governor, I like Stew. He doesn’t complain when I disagree with him. That means he is an OK guy or doesn’t even know who I am.

Disagreement example: Mandel has Clark Lea, Vanderbilt coach, ahead of Heupel. That is a mistake. I know Lea is suddenly a bright star, 2025 Eddie Robinson coach of the year. I also know Lea did not create Commodore success. He purchased it.

He wasn’t doing anything – 9-27 record in three seasons, 10-game losing streak – until he picked New Mexico State’s pocket (quarterback Diego Pavia, tight end Eli Stowers, other talented players, offensive coordinator Tim Beck and a cluster of other coaches), turned the Vandy offense over to them and got the heck out of the way.

Oops, maybe I shouldn’t go there. Heupel is trying the same technique to restore the Tennessee defense. Alas, the Jim Knowles package Josh obtained does not include a Pavia and may not have an edge rusher.

Lea’s athletic background (Birmingham Southern, Belmont and Vandy) is a bit behind Heupel’s.

I am reluctant to say Josh was the best ever football player from South Dakota. Norm Van Brocklin was pretty good. But Heupel was the all-American quarterback of Oklahoma’s 2000 national championship team. He finished several votes behind Chris Weinke and far ahead of Drew Brees in the race for that Heisman Trophy.

Heupel became a skilled QB coach and offensive coordinator. He was fired only once. Brotherly love was a factor. Bob Stoops liked Mike Stoops better than Josh.

Heupel survived. As a head coach, his record is 73-28. There is some question which way it is trending. A good defense helped his Volunteers reach the playoff in 2024. A flawed defense, missed blocks and a missed field goal led to the 2025 disappointment, 8-5.

Statistics say the offense was pretty good both years. Big donors and other vocal critics were not convinced. Cold, hard facts of life (self-preservation) led to the defensive makeover.

In a season or two, we’ll see whether I or Mandel was correct in our ranking of coaches. Coach Lea has recruited the best prep quarterback in Tennessee, Jared Curtis. He also has Blaze Berlowitz, another at least terrific transfer QB from poor, trampled and mistreated New Mexico State.

Coach Heupel got the best prep QB in North Carolina, Faizon Brandon. The somewhat comparable freshmen are supposedly among the best three or four in the country.

Faizon has competition to get the game ball in his hands. George MacIntyre, a year older, may be half a lap ahead.

We’ll soon see which team does best with what talent it has. Both have home games against Alabama. Tennessee’s tougher schedule includes Texas, Texas A&M and LSU. Georgia is the big challenge for Vandy.

There is one blinking caution light: How strange it is to be comparing Tennessee and Vanderbilt coaches, players and possible victories.

If you are keeping score, Kirby Smart (Georgia) is No. 2 on Mandel’s best-in-the-business list. Kalen DeBoer (Alabama) is too high at No. 5. His employer thinks I’m confused. Kalen’s new deal pays $12.5 million a year.

Steve Sarkisian (Texas) is ranked sixth. Lane Kiffin (new at LSU) is eighth. I reserve judgment on Lane until all investigations are complete.

Lea, a good man, president of the coaches’ association, is No. 15. Mike Elko (Texas A&M) is No. 18. Jon Sumrall (new at Florida) is No. 21.

Be confident in making your own list. We can be wrong together.

Marvin West welcomes comments or questions from readers. His address is marvinwest75@gmail.com

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