The proverbial fly on the wall thinks she heard Josh Heupel singing softly.
The fly asked me if “Things are going to be different from now on” is a country song.
Maybe, or soon to be if Tony Martin gets that peg line. It could already be the new theme of Tennessee football.
“Different” is an encouraging word.
Young quarterbacks, the defensive makeover and new excitement and measurable results in strength and conditioning are unlike anything we have seen – even with a change in head coaches.
There is nothing in my recall that compares to the sideshows between the end of November and the beginning of August. Think of it as then and now.
Vanderbilt embarrassed the Volunteers on sacred Shields-Watkins Field. Illinois won the Music City Bowl because Tennessee couldn’t stop the final drive. Illini coach Bret Bielema later added an insult, that the SEC and the Vols are trying to live in the past.
Bielema mentioned “It just means more” and said indeed it does when opponents hammer SEC bluebloods.
Heupel reacted, probably in self-defense to the Vandy romp, the negative outlook and hot-seat talk. He had never fired an assistant but he dismissed three defensive coaches plus some support people. He kept Rodney Garner. Legends are valuable.
Heupel bet the farm on Jim Knowles as defensive coordinator. In my opinion, allowing him to choose his helpers was borderline brilliant. Many head coaches have too much ego to cede hiring rights.
Knowles got three with insight into what he does. He kept linebacker coach William Inge. We’ll eventually discover this reconstruction is not a perfect solution but it almost has to be an improvement.
Heupel saying goodbye to Kurt Schmidt was a surprise. Josh and Kurt, director of development, had worked together nine years, going back to Missouri.
Replacing him with Derek Owings was a shock. That cost $1.2 million but Owings is the leader in that field. Getting him away from champion Indiana said business-as-usual is over.
In addition to what he does for development, Derek is a major motivator.
Facts: This Tennessee team will be bigger, stronger and faster. We’ll find out later if it knows how to play.
Be reminded that quarterback Joey Aguilar lost to the NCAA in his bid for another year of eligibility. Heupel never got close to securing a veteran replacement. I thought he was trapped, damned if he did and damned if he didn’t.
Any move had to include consideration for his young quarterbacks. The portal threatens.
The freshman class is strong. Based on ratings, top names are QB Faizon Brandon, wide receiver TK Keys, offensive tackle Gabriel Osenda, linebacker TJ White and safety Joel Wyatt.
Incoming transfers (21) appear a bit better than losses (22). The portal produced one inexplicable story. Edge rusher Chaz Coleman, first prize, followed Knowles and associates from Penn State. He joined the Vols, actually made an appearance, but was never really here.
After months of drama, he was medically disqualified. He went away. I think.
Spring practice fell short of inspirational but ticket sales were brisk, as usual, even at add-on prices.
Tennessee got a big shot of tonic in July. It defeated Ohio State in the high-profile recruiting race for 2027 running back David Gabriel-Georges.
To offset that, the Vols lost senior linebacker Arion Carter for two games to an illogical suspension handed down by the tired and worn-out NCAA.
Carter committed a low-level violation by accepting $427 from his agent for a flight to an NFL pre-draft training facility. Old injuries doused pro hopes. Arion reimbursed the agent and they parted company.
In an era when tampering runs wild and millions change hands in the talent auction, while the NCAA wears blindfolds, wrings its hands and loses lawsuits, it suddenly muscled up and nailed Carter.
There could be a connection between the severity of the penalty and leftover animosity from the Nico case or Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti’s knockout victory over the NCAA’s “illegal NIL-recruitment ban.”
All the above was “then” or before.
Starting Wednesday, “now” will feature the semifinals of quarterback competition between redshirt freshman George MacIntyre and five-star Brandon. Don’t hold your breath while awaiting that outcome.
It will take only a few minutes to settle on the best five offensive linemen. Returnees are almost locks. Determining a third receiver could take a little longer.
Knowles may have to get creative to fill the void at edge rusher. He could deploy three linebackers. There will be some competition for at least one job in the secondary.
Running back DeSean Bishop is a very interesting Volunteer. It appears he practices what he preaches. Teammates have noticed. DeSean is held in high regard.
Postscript: The season begins September 5 against Furman.
Marvin West welcomes comments and questions from readers at marvinwest75@gmail.com Read more westwords by Marvin West.
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