Tennessee football head coach Josh Heupel is celebrating his birthday on Sunday, March 22, 2026. How old is the Vols’ sixth-year head coach turning?
Heupel, a native of Aberdeen, South Dakota, is turning 48 years old. According to Brett McMurphy, Heupel is the ninth-youngest head coach in the SEC (16 teams) and 63rd youngest active head coach in the FBS (136).
Before gaining notoriety as a college football head coach, he was one of the best quarterbacks in the country. Beginning his career at Weber State and then Snow College, he transferred up to Oklahoma in 1999. In 2000, he led the Sooners to a national title, while being named the Heisman Trophy runner-up, Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year, AP Player of the Year and an All-American.
He went on to be drafted in the sixth round, 177th overall, by the Miami Dolphins. However, a shoulder injury saw Heupel fail to make the team. The following year, the Green Bay Packers signed him, but he was released heading into training camp.
Happy Birthday, @coachjoshheupel! 🥳#GBO 🍊 pic.twitter.com/7avO6uzlxy
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) March 22, 2026
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After his playing days, Heupel quickly turned to coaching. In 2004, he joined his alma mater, Oklahoma, as a graduate assistant. The following year, he joined Arizona as the tight ends coach.
From 2006-10, Heupel rejoined the Sooners as the team’s quarterback coach. From 2011-14, he served as OU’s co-offensive coordinator on top of his quarterback coach duties.
After a messy split with Oklahoma, Heupel went to Utah State as an associate head coach, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in 2015. The following year, he went to Missouri as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach from 2016-17.
In 2018, he landed the job as UCF’s head coach. From 2018-20, he compiled a 28-8 (19-5 AAC) record. After his athletic director, Danny White, landed the job at Tennessee, he hired Heupel as his head coach. From 2021-25, Heupel has put together a record of 45-20 (24-16 SEC). He took the Vols to the College Football Playoffs in 2024 and owns two wins over Alabama and three over Florida.
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