‘The more you look at it, the more it makes some sense’ – It’s time for Tennessee to make a big change to the football program

For decades, Tennessee football has been a proud, tradition-rich program, synonymous with SEC glory, legendary players, and iconic moments. Yet, in the modern era of college football — a world increasingly dominated by innovation, adaptability, and fearless leadership — Tennessee finds itself at a crossroads.

The proud roar of Neyland Stadium still echoes on Saturdays, but the results on the field haven’t always matched the passion in the stands. Despite flashes of brilliance and periods of promise, the Volunteers have struggled to consistently reclaim their place among the nation’s elite.

As uncomfortable as it may seem to some diehard fans, the more you look at the current situation, the more it makes sense: It’s time for Tennessee to make a big change.

The Current State of Tennessee Football

Under head coach Josh Heupel, Tennessee has had its moments — most notably the magical 2022 season capped by an unforgettable win over Alabama and a dominant Orange Bowl victory. That year reignited the dreams of Tennessee fans everywhere. The program finished ranked No. 6, and it seemed the Volunteers were finally ready to break into permanent contention.

But just a few seasons later, Tennessee has hit a familiar wall: inconsistency. Losses in games they should dominate, failure to rise in crucial moments against top competition, and a nagging feeling that the program — while solid — is stuck in neutral rather than accelerating forward.

Heupel’s offense remains potent at times, but questions linger about the defense, in-game adjustments, and recruiting battles against the likes of Georgia, Alabama, LSU, and now even newer SEC powers like Texas and Oklahoma. Simply put: Tennessee is good, but good isn’t good enough when your fans expect greatness.

And when you look across the SEC landscape, “good” gets you buried quickly.

Recruiting: A Telling Sign

Recruiting has always been the lifeblood of SEC football, and while Heupel has managed to bring in talented players — particularly offensive playmakers — the overall depth and star power haven’t quite matched the likes of Georgia or Alabama.

Tennessee’s recruiting classes have been consistently ranked in the top 15, but rarely cracking the elite top five where true national champions are born. The gap in talent becomes painfully evident when the Vols face off against teams loaded with future NFL stars at almost every position.

Worse yet, Tennessee has lost several major in-state battles and struggled to consistently lock down elite defensive recruits. In a conference where defense wins championships, the inability to load up on dominant defensive linemen and shutdown corners is a glaring issue.

The transfer portal has provided some temporary solutions, but portal fixes are like band-aids — you can’t build an empire on short-term solutions.

If Tennessee truly wants to compete for SEC Championships and College Football Playoff berths year after year, recruiting must be elevated to an elite level — and that often starts with bold leadership changes.

A New Era Demands a New Vision

College football has changed dramatically in just a few short years. NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deals, the expanded transfer portal, the incoming 12-team playoff, and the growing power of mega-conferences have fundamentally altered how programs operate.

The elite programs adapt quickly. They don’t cling to the past. They innovate, invest, and take risks.

When you look at Tennessee, the program feels a step behind at times — still relying heavily on its rich tradition and fan passion without consistently pairing it with cutting-edge innovation on and off the field.

Other programs are embracing aggressive NIL strategies, modernized facilities, and cutting-edge analytics departments. Meanwhile, Tennessee still feels like it’s cautiously dipping its toes into the new era rather than diving in headfirst.

A bold, aggressive head coach who understands this new landscape, can navigate NIL dynamics, dominate the recruiting trail, and lead with fearless adaptability may be exactly what Tennessee needs.

In short: it’s time to stop settling for comfortable.

The Case for Making a Big Change

Change always comes with risks. Firing a head coach who has brought relative stability to a program historically plagued by turmoil might seem reckless. But if Tennessee is serious about ascending to the heights of the SEC again, the question becomes: Is stability enough?

The examples around the SEC are telling:

• LSU didn’t settle after a down year following their 2019 national championship. They moved quickly and hired Brian Kelly, who led them to the SEC Championship Game in year one.
• Georgia made a hard decision to replace Mark Richt, a very successful and beloved coach, with Kirby Smart — and now the Bulldogs have two national titles under Smart’s leadership.
• Florida State, after years of mediocrity, gave Mike Norvell time but also made major internal changes to their program structure, embracing aggressive recruiting and NIL strategies, leading to an undefeated season and playoff berth.

Programs that refuse to settle are the ones that rise.

Tennessee doesn’t need to burn it all down — they have a solid foundation. But they must be brave enough to seek the next level.

Maybe it’s a dynamic young coach with SEC ties. Maybe it’s an NFL assistant ready to bring pro concepts to the college game. Maybe it’s a proven winner at a Group of Five school ready for the big stage.

Whatever the answer is, the first step is admitting that Tennessee deserves better than just “good enough.”

Potential Candidates That Make Sense

If Tennessee were to make a major change, there would be no shortage of strong candidates.

• Dan Lanning (Oregon Head Coach): A defensive mastermind with SEC roots (Georgia), dynamic recruiter, and young energy to match today’s landscape.
• Mike Elko (Texas A&M Head Coach): Brilliant defensive mind who knows the SEC terrain and has shown he can recruit at an elite level.
• Lance Leipold (Kansas Head Coach): A proven builder who could bring discipline, toughness, and culture-building skills that Tennessee needs.
• Glenn Schumann (Georgia Defensive Coordinator): Young, brilliant, and ready for a big opportunity. Stealing him from Georgia would be a massive coup.

And of course, Tennessee could always aim for an even bigger name if boosters are willing to open the checkbooks — especially given the importance of NIL funds in today’s environment.

The Fanbase Deserves It

Perhaps the biggest reason to make a bold change? The Tennessee fanbase deserves it.

Vol Nation is one of the most passionate, loyal, and enduring fanbases in college football. Through coaching turmoil, heartbreaking seasons, and national irrelevance, the fans have continued to pack Neyland Stadium, donate generously, and dream of better days.

They deserve a program that matches their passion with excellence. A program that is feared, respected, and consistently relevant on the national stage.

Tennessee fans don’t want to settle for 9-3 seasons and second-tier bowl games anymore. They want SEC Championships. They want Playoff appearances. They want to beat Alabama, Georgia, and Florida consistently — not occasionally.

And they deserve leadership that feels the same urgency.

 It’s Not an Easy Decision, But It’s the Right One

Change is never easy, especially when it means potentially moving on from a coach who has provided some stability and memorable moments. Josh Heupel has undoubtedly elevated Tennessee from the disaster years under coaches like Jeremy Pruitt and Butch Jones.

But Tennessee didn’t build its proud football tradition on being “better than a few years ago.”

They built it on greatness. On aiming higher. On daring to believe that the best days are still ahead.

When you really step back and look at the landscape of college football, the conclusion becomes clearer:

The more you look at it, the more it makes some sense.

It’s time for Tennessee to make a big change — not because the current state is terrible, but because the program and its fans deserve the very best.