Tennessee Vols head coach Josh Heupel got “goosebumps” while talking about being the head coach at UT during Vol Calls on Wednesday night. 

Heupel, who was making his weekly appearance on Vol Calls ahead of Tennessee’s game against Mississippi State, was asked by host Bob Kesling about the incredible environments that we’ve seen at Neyland Stadium this season. 

The fourth-year Vols head coach told Kesling that he knew Tennessee was special before he took the job while adding that he can’t imagine calling anywhere else home.  

“I knew it (that UT was special) before I got here,” said Heupel during Vol Calls. “I have [been to Tennessee as an opponent]. I didn’t like listening to Rocky Top as much as I do now. But the stadium itself, it’s like the coliseum. It’s right on top of you. It just screams pageantry of college football and an elite program. And then you combine that with this fan base, which the best in college football, and…I just can’t imagine calling another place home. I got goosebumps just thinking about it.” 

Who would’ve thought that a South Dakota native who has a lengthy history at the University of Oklahoma would be the guy to lead Tennessee’s football program out of the abyss? 

I don’t think anyone realized it nearly four years ago when Heupel was hired to replace Jeremy Pruitt, but the former Oklahoma quarterback is the coach that the Vols have been looking for since Phillip Fulmer stepped down in 2008. 

And it sounds like Heupel has no desire to be anywhere else. 

It’s AWESOME to have coaches that take such pride in our players, stadiums, & fan bases!!! Our athletes, coaches, & athletic depts are top notch & Danny White is doing an AMAZING job rebuilding our athletic program!!! And, we must include how GREAT THE Pride of the South Land Band is!!!! We truly are blessed to be TN Vols!!!! Go big orange, VFL!

Heading up from Lower Alabama first thing in the morning. It’ll be my very first trip to Neyland in my whole whole life. I’m CERTAIN I’m going to burst into tears as soon as

I am beyond thrilled and glad to have Coach Heupel leading the Volunteers! Character, poise and trust are hard to come by in the coaching profession. He excels in ea b and it translates in recruiting. GBO !!