CBS college football analyst Rick Neuheisel believes Tennessee coach Josh Heupel is the SEC Coach of the Year, according to a one-on-one interview with Jimmy Hyams.
The hype for Heupel is real,’’ Neuheisel told me in a one-on-one interview. “I think he’s the coach of the year.’’
“Kirby Smart is going to get a lot of that attention because he deserves it. Because he has so many good players and you’ve got to remember, now, he got them all there. The recruiting job is part of the deal as well.’’
“But for Josh Heupel to come into the situation he found himself in and to deliver in the way he has delivered, not only wins and losses, but with the way the kids are playing and the way the fans have bought in, it is has been absolutely fun to watch the energy that has been at Neyland Stadium.’’
“The energy is back, the passion is back and he did it with a roster that had to be completely retooled in a very short period of time. So my hat’s off to him and the entire staff, and he’d get my vote for coach of the year in the SEC.’’
–Rick Neuheisel interview with Jimmy Hyams
Should Josh Heupel be a serious contender for the award? Let us know in the forum discussion: Neuheisel likes Heupel as SEC Coach of Year