Josh Heupel reveals who will call plays for the Tennessee Vols in 2024

Maybe it's because he's now one of the elder statesmen in the SEC. Whatever the case, it seems like Tennessee Vols head coach Josh Heupel is starting to be a little more open when it comes to sharing insights into his program with the media.

First there was Heupel explaining on Tuesday at SEC Media Days in Dallas how the Vols plan to utilize in-helmet communication this fall.

Then there was Heupel's on-the-record revelation to ESPN's Chris Low that he'll be Tennessee's primary play-caller in 2024.

Low reported on Tuesday that Heupel said he'll remain the main play-caller in 2024.

"Coach (Glen) Elarbee and I have been together going on 9 years, and Joey (Halzle) continues to take great understanding and ownership in what we're doing," said Heupel in a statement to Low.

Joey Halzle, who has been the Vols' quarterbacks coach since Heupel took over as the program's head coach in 2021, took over as Tennessee's offensive coordinator ahead of the 2023 season after previous offensive coordinator Alex Golesh left to become the new head coach at USF.

Golesh was believed to have more freedom when it came to calling plays during his two seasons on Rocky Top.

"Our relationship was really good because there was no ego," said Golesh when he was hired at USF. "There was a complete trust in each other. And when he turned over the playcalling to me, I think for him it was a level of trust that he showed in me. I think I earned that trust."

"There's no time to talk in between plays," added Golesh. "So generally I would get, if it was good, like a 'hell yeah' or if it was bad, a "what are you doing'. But the relationship was awesome."

Even then, it was always a somewhat collaborative effort between Heupel, Golesh, offensive line coach Glen Elarbee, and Halzle.

Tennessee's offense moves so fast and there's so much on the quarterback that the play-calling process can become more a "feel" thing for Tennessee. Essentially, they aren't calling plays in the traditional sense.

Golesh was in lockstep with Heupel, which is why he had a bit more freedom. Halzle is hoping to get to that point. And Elarbee, who has been with Heupel since their days at Missouri (when Heupel was the Tigers' offensive coordinator), has always been a big part of the process.

For now, though, it's Heupel that has the final say on game-day, though it's certainly possible that Tennessee's process could evolve this fall as the season progresses.

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