The move Josh Heupel ought to think about making in order to help the Tennessee Vols’ offense advance in 2025
After a season in which the program advanced to the 12-team College Football Playoff, the Tennessee Vols are not anticipated to make any offensive coaching staff changes.
Tennessee defeated Ohio State, a formidable opponent, in the first round of the 2024 playoffs despite winning 10 games during the regular season.
Despite an offensively inconsistent season, the Vols had a great 2024 campaign.
With just two victories against conference opponents (against Vanderbilt and Mississippi State), Tennessee’s offense occasionally faltered during SEC play.
The Vols’ offensive difficulties had a number of causes. Sometimes there were plays to be made, but some of those opportunities were thwarted by missed blocks, botched throws, or receiver drops.
At times, Tennessee’s offense was also a little predictable. Since Josh Heupel’s offense has been in the SEC for four years running, opponents are more familiar with how to defend it.
Nonetheless, Vols supporters have little reason to doubt Heupel’s capacity to lead an explosive offense. Your strategy will need to change if you coach at a program for an extended period of time. That applies to everyone. Additionally, Heupel and his team will need to complete this task throughout the offseason.
Bringing in some new voices is one way they can accomplish it. The Vols can still add some new voices even if they don’t make any offensive position coach changes.
And on Monday, an intriguing choice emerged.
Ryan Grubb, the offensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks, was reportedly fired on Monday.
Grubb, who played one season in Seattle, spent four seasons as Kalen DeBoer’s offensive coordinator at Fresno State and Washington. Last offseason, Grubb first accompanied DeBoer to Alabama, but he left after a few weeks to accept the position as offensive coordinator with the Seahawks.
Heupel and the Vols should attempt to hire Grubb as an analyst if it makes sense (which is clearly up to Heupel). Grubb may provide Tennessee’s offensive strategy and play-calling a new perspective as he takes a year to consider his options. Although it appears that Grubb intends to stay in the NFL for the long haul, it might be wiser to take a year off from an official on-field position rather than snatching up another chance right away (especially since several college vacancies have already been filled). If he can elevate Tennessee’s offense to new heights, he may be subject to a bidding war akin to that of Joe Brady the following offseason, even if he only works as an analyst with the Vols.
Now, I’m not claiming that Grubb is a miracle drug that will completely change Tennessee’s offensive strategy. Who knows what effect he might or might not have. However, it’s clear that the Vols could use a new voice, if only to bring in a different perspective that would inspire some fresh ideas. Under Heupel, Tennessee’s offense has always been a team effort. To help change the conversation about the offense in some fresh ways, I just believe they could use a voice from outside the Heupel coaching branch (keep in mind that Alex Golesh, the former offensive coordinator for the Vols, wasn’t from the Heupel tree of coaching when he was hired at UCF prior to the 2020 season).
Heupel should at least think about bringing in Grubb this offseason, if the former offensive coordinator for the Seahawks is amenable to the idea.
Last offseason, Heupel hired William Inge, the current coach of the Vols’ linebackers, from Alabama and DeBoer. Inge spent four seasons at Fresno State and Washington working with Grubb. There are also some intriguing ties between Grubb and the Vols because Grubb played collegiate football at South Dakota State and served as an assistant coach there for nine seasons. Additionally, Heupel is from South Dakota.
