Tennessee Football’s offense went through a substantial change between the 2022 and 2023 seasons. While there weren’t any additions from outside, Tennessee did have movement within the program. Alex Golesh took a job at South Florida, resulting in Joey Halzle’s promotion to offensive coordinator, while Joe Milton filled Hendon Hooker’s starter shoes after a departure to the NFL Draft.
Halzle and Milton had a strong relationship at that time, having been in the program since the beginning of the Heupel era. But now it was time for them both to step up to new, more impactful roles at the same time.
While Milton has been gone from the program for two years now, the now-Dallas Cowboys quarterback still has glowing reviews of his quarterback’s coach and offensive coordinator with the Vols.
“A beast,” Milton said in an interview with SportsTalk’s Vince Ferrara this week. “Man, that’s my man right there. Joey was great, man. Ever since I got there, he was one of those people that believed in me. Joey always talked to me one-on-one. Talkin’ about Joey, he always believed in me. He always talked to me one-on-one whenever I needed it. But also, he was just pushing me to be the best I can be, and that’s all you can ask for from a coach.
“It was amazing, man. The leader that he is, and the way that he called plays, he can get real creative with his play calling. But he can also get you in the right position. I love Joey and his family, for sure.”
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Milton’s comments almost come off sounding like a recruiting pitch for why he believes Tennessee is a strong place for quarterback prospects. Considering that Tennessee has put Hooker, Milton, and Joey Aguilar onto NFL teams in the last four years, Milton’s remarks show the trust that he had in his coaching staff to get him where he wanted to be.
During his lone year as a starter in 2023, Milton racked up 2,813 passing yards, 20 touchdown passes, and five interceptions on 64.7% passing. In his three years at Tennessee as a whole, he tallied 4,195 yards, 32 passing touchdowns, and five interceptions. Milton had a brief stint as Tennessee’s season-opening starter in 2021, but was forced to the sideline due to injury early in the year.
He was then drafted to the New England Patriots in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. After one year with New England, he was traded to the Dallas Cowboys. He was Dak Prescott’s backup quarterback during the 2025 season and is currently in a competition with Sam Howell to keep his spot as the No. 2 guy in Dallas.
Check out Joe Milton’s full interview with SportsTalk’s Vince Ferrara at Dallas Cowboys training camp below:
