Mike Ekeler on how Josh Heupel took Tennessee football from ‘hot mess’ to top-five team

Mike Ekeler didn’t sugarcoat where Tennessee football started three years ago.

The Vols special teams coordinator arrived in Knoxville with coach Josh Heupel in 2021, and he’s “beyond excited” to be part of what they’re building at UT.

“When Josh Heupel came in here, let me tell you what: It was a hot mess, and we all know it,” Ekeler said at the Knoxville Quarterback Club on Monday. “No reason to backtrack and go back there. But I tell you, where it is right now, we’re got great kids in this program … they’re great young men representing, doing things the right way.”

Tennessee (4-0, 1-0 SEC) is undefeated going into its road matchup with Arkansas (3-2, 1-1) on Saturday (7:30 p.m. ET, ABC). The Vols opened conference play with a 25-15 road win over Oklahoma before having an open date last weekend.

Ekeler and Heupel were graduate assistants at Oklahoma in 2004, and the return trip to Norman didn’t disappoint.

“It’s going to be a great environment (at Arkansas), and we expect it to be half-full with Vol fans, too, just like Oklahoma,” Ekeler said. “I tell you, it was crazy. I had coached at Oklahoma for a few years, and I had never seen that many opposing fans in a stadium. And let me tell you, we could hear you, too, now. I mean, it was awesome.”

Tennessee has been known for its offense under Heupel, but the Vols’ defense is turning heads early in the season. Ekeler, who also coaches outside linebackers, praised the work defensive coordinator Tim Banks has done in the last three years.

The Vols lead the nation in total defense, only allowing 176 yards per game – that averages out to 3.13 yards allowed per play, which also leads the nation. They also lead the nation in third-down conversion percentage, with opponents only converting 17% of third down attempts.

“Year Four, so guys understand the system inside-out, front…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/mike-ekeler-josh-heupel-took-234339265.html

Author : Knox News | The Knoxville News-Sentinel

Publish date : 2024-09-30 23:43:39

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