Where Tennessee football was ranked by Ryan Day and Kalen DeBoer on the coaches’ poll ballot

Where Tennessee Football Was Ranked by Ryan Day and Kalen DeBoer on the Coaches’ Poll Ballot

Tennessee football has been on an upward trajectory in recent years, and as the Volunteers continue to build their program under head coach Josh Heupel, national recognition has started to follow. One of the most anticipated events of each college football season is the release of the Coaches’ Poll, which reflects the opinions of the nation’s top coaches regarding the rankings of the best teams in college football. The Coaches’ Poll serves as an early barometer for national prestige and offers valuable insight into where teams stand in the eyes of their peers.

The 2025 Coaches’ Poll was particularly intriguing for Tennessee fans, as the Volunteers continued to emerge as one of the top teams in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) under Heupel’s fast-paced, high-scoring offense. As a prominent program with a rich history, Tennessee was a subject of intense scrutiny from fellow coaches as they solidified their place among the best in the country. Notably, Ryan Day (head coach of Ohio State) and Kalen DeBoer (head coach of Washington) provided their own rankings on the Coaches’ Poll ballot, offering unique perspectives on where Tennessee should be ranked based on their individual evaluations. This article will dive into where both Day and DeBoer ranked Tennessee on their respective ballots, explore the reasoning behind their choices, and analyze what those rankings mean for the Volunteers’ national standing.

The Coaches’ Poll: An Overview

Before diving into the rankings by Ryan Day and Kalen DeBoer, it’s important to understand the context of the Coaches’ Poll. The Coaches’ Poll is one of the primary ranking systems used in college football to gauge teams’ performance over the course of the season. Unlike the Associated Press (AP) Poll, which is voted on by sportswriters and broadcasters, the Coaches’ Poll is compiled from the opinions of active FBS coaches across the country. These coaches are often involved in the day-to-day operations of their respective programs and have a nuanced understanding of the teams they compete against. Their insights offer a unique perspective on which programs are performing at a high level.

Each coach fills out a ballot based on their team’s performance, results, and overall strength. While the Coaches’ Poll does not have an immediate effect on the College Football Playoff rankings, it is widely respected and often used by analysts, fans, and sports programs to assess the national landscape. Coaches’ rankings often hold considerable weight, and when high-profile coaches like Ryan Day and Kalen DeBoer weigh in, it can provide valuable insights into how other programs in the country view a team’s success.

Ryan Day’s Ranking of Tennessee Football

Ryan Day, head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes, is one of the most respected figures in college football. Known for his offensive acumen and ability to develop quarterbacks, Day has been instrumental in establishing Ohio State as one of the elite programs in the country. Under his leadership, Ohio State has consistently ranked among the top teams in the nation, making the College Football Playoff multiple times and competing for national championships. As one of the most well-known coaches in college football, Day’s ballot carries significant weight when it comes to evaluating other programs.

Tennessee’s Ranking on Ryan Day’s Ballot:

When Ryan Day filled out his Coaches’ Poll ballot for 2025, he placed Tennessee at No. 7. This ranking reflects Day’s recognition of the Volunteers as one of the top teams in the country and a major contender in the SEC. Here’s a closer look at why Day placed Tennessee in this position:

1. High-Powered Offense Under Josh Heupel: Ryan Day is an offensive mastermind, and it’s likely that he sees Tennessee’s offensive scheme under Josh Heupel as one of the most potent in college football. The Vols have been known for their fast-paced, up-tempo offense, which stresses the importance of speed and big plays. Heupel’s system, which has already produced impressive seasons and high-scoring games, is similar in some ways to Day’s own offensive philosophy at Ohio State. Day likely respects the way Tennessee has built its offense around a talented quarterback in Nico Iamaleava and a strong receiving corps, giving them the potential to compete with the best teams in the nation.
2. Tennessee’s Success in Recent Seasons: Since Heupel took over as head coach, Tennessee has experienced significant improvement. The Vols have consistently been ranked in the top 25 and have proven that they can hang with the best teams in the SEC and beyond. Day likely took Tennessee’s recent success into account when making his rankings, acknowledging their rise as a top-tier program under Heupel’s guidance. The Vols have shown the ability to compete at a high level, and Day’s ranking places them among the elite teams in the country.
3. Strong Recruiting and Development: Another factor influencing Day’s ranking is Tennessee’s recruiting prowess. The Vols have been consistently landing top-tier recruits, especially in the 2024 and 2025 classes, including high-profile players like Nico Iamaleava. Day knows the importance of recruiting and player development, and Tennessee’s continued success in this area likely factored into his ranking. Tennessee has the talent to compete with the best teams, and Day recognizes the program’s potential to continue growing and competing at a high level in the years to come.

Kalen DeBoer’s Ranking of Tennessee Football

Kalen DeBoer, head coach of the Washington Huskies, has made a name for himself as one of the rising stars in college football. DeBoer led Washington to impressive seasons in the Pac-12, and his high-flying offense has been a major factor in the team’s success. Under his leadership, Washington has become a major player in the conference, with DeBoer’s ability to develop quarterbacks and run an explosive offense garnering significant attention.

Tennessee’s Ranking on Kalen DeBoer’s Ballot:

When Kalen DeBoer filled out his Coaches’ Poll ballot for 2025, he ranked Tennessee at No. 9. This ranking reflects DeBoer’s acknowledgment of Tennessee as one of the top programs in college football, though slightly lower than Day’s assessment. Here’s a deeper dive into the factors that likely influenced DeBoer’s decision:

1. Offensive Strength: As a coach known for his offensive philosophy, DeBoer likely sees Tennessee’s offensive system as one of the most dangerous in the nation. Heupel’s up-tempo, pass-heavy attack is one that DeBoer can appreciate, given his own emphasis on offense at Washington. The explosive nature of Tennessee’s offense, with a dynamic quarterback in Iamaleava and a solid supporting cast, is something that DeBoer likely respects. However, DeBoer may also be factoring in the competition within the SEC, with teams like Georgia and Alabama often getting the benefit of the doubt at the top of the rankings.
2. Potential for Improvement: While DeBoer is likely impressed by Tennessee’s recent success, he might still see areas where the program can improve, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Tennessee’s defense has been inconsistent at times, and DeBoer may view this as an area where the team needs to improve in order to challenge the elite teams in the country. However, DeBoer’s ranking of Tennessee in the top 10 indicates that he still sees a lot of potential in the program, especially on offense.
3. Competition in the SEC: The Southeastern Conference is known for its dominance in college football, with teams like Alabama, Georgia, and LSU consistently at the top of the rankings. DeBoer, who coaches in the Pac-12, is likely aware of the difficulty of navigating the SEC and the level of competition Tennessee faces on a weekly basis. While he respects Tennessee’s talent, DeBoer’s ranking might reflect the tough road the Vols face in the conference, with the top programs in the SEC often standing out as more established and consistent at the national level.

The Significance of Day and DeBoer’s Rankings for Tennessee Football

Both Ryan Day’s and Kalen DeBoer’s rankings of Tennessee at No. 7 and No. 9, respectively, are important indicators of the Volunteers’ national standing. These rankings reflect the respect that Tennessee has earned in the college football community, especially among coaches who are intimately familiar with the challenges of competing at the highest level.

1. National Recognition: Both Day and DeBoer clearly view Tennessee as one of the top teams in the country. Their rankings reflect Tennessee’s rise as a national contender, and being ranked in the top 10 is a clear sign that the Vols are now viewed as one of the premier programs in college football.
2. Building Momentum for the 2025 Season: As Tennessee continues to improve under Heupel’s leadership, these rankings provide a strong foundation for the upcoming season. The Coaches’ Poll is often used as a predictor for potential success, and being ranked among the top 10 teams in the country puts Tennessee in an excellent position to make a run at the SEC title and potentially the College Football Playoff.
3. Recruiting Impact: The respect that Tennessee has garnered from coaches like Day and DeBoer is likely to help the program’s recruiting efforts. High school prospects pay attention to these rankings, and being ranked in the top 10 demonstrates that Tennessee is a serious contender on the national stage. This could help the Vols land even more top-tier talent in the coming years, further strengthening the program’s future prospects.