Report: Josh Heupel's Staff Could Fill Out Quickly With Several UCF Staff Members

Josh Heupel is on the job working as the head coach at Tennessee, and it is not a surprise he is working quickly to assemble his staff. Yesterday, we took a

Josh Heupel is on the job working as the head coach at Tennessee, and it is not a surprise he is working quickly to assemble his staff. Yesterday, we took a look at what his potential staff could look like, and it appears several of the mentioned coaches are likely to join the staff, according to a report from John Brice of FootballScoop.

It appears Heupel will completely overhaul the coaching staff, including replacing Kevin Steele as defensive coordinator. VR2 on SI learned yesterday evening this was likely to happen. 

Brice wrote in his report: "He’s got his guys; Heupel’s likely to almost entirely overhaul the Volunteers’ coaching staff, top to bottom. While Alex Golesh, a Moscow, Russia, native and Ohio State graduate, stands with an earnest chance to emerge as Heupel’s successor at UCF, Golesh is a prime target to join the staff at Tennessee and could be arriving in Knoxville this weekend."

As we mentioned Golesh yesterday, he worked exclusively with tight ends at Iowa State and was highly productive before joining Heupel at UCF. He is a rising star in the coaching world and should excite Tennessee fans. 

Brice's report continued: "Ditto Joey Halzle, who like Heupel is an Oklahoma graduate with championship roots. In short order, Halzle has emerged as a keen quarterback mentor. He’s expected to make the trek north on I-75 to rejoin Heupel immediately for the Vols’ new staff.

Likewise, Glen Elarbee has been a fixture as an assistant alongside Heupel – especially the past five years. A former Broyles Award semifinalist who’s time alongside Heupel extends from Missouri in 2016 through their most recent season together at UCF. However, Elarbee’s been well-traveled and also has emerged with options at multiple programs. It’s not an automatic move that Elarbee, who played at MTSU, has cemented a spot in Knoxville."

In terms of Steele and Chaney, Brice indicated that it is unlikely that either will be back, which means Tennessee will owe over $2.5 million dollars in buyout money. Steele's contract lasted essentially two weeks. 

Brice also reported that Zach Arnett could be the top target for the Defensive Coordinator position. Arnett is the current coordinator at Mississippi State, and he has drawn a lot of interest in the coaching carousel. 

Brice has been all over Tennessee's coaching search with his reliable sources, and you can view his full report here. 


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Matt Ray
MATT RAY

Matt Ray is the publisher of Sports Illustrated-FanNation's Volunteer Country, serving as a beat reporter covering football, recruiting, and occasionally other sports. Matt also is a lead analyst at Sports Illustrated All-American, Sports Illustrated lead authority in high school recruiting coverage. When not at work covering the Tennessee Volunteers or the recruiting trail, Matt enjoys spending time with his wife Destiny traveling the country.