Josh Heupel emerges as a top contender for open head coaching position at Tennessee Vols

There is currently no evidence suggesting that Josh Heupel intends to leave his position as head coach of the Tennessee Vols. Nevertheless, his name surfaced this week on Kalshi as one of the leading candidates for the vacant head coaching position at Penn State.

Kalshi operates as a regulated prediction market where participants can trade "event contracts" based on the outcomes of real-world events. Unlike the coaching searches at LSU, Florida, Auburn, Arkansas, and Ole Miss, the process at Penn State has remained relatively low-profile since the dismissal of James Franklin.

Regarding Heupel, it does not appear that he is actively considering leaving Tennessee. Still, college football is notoriously unpredictable, and decisions can change rapidly. While a departure would be unexpected, it cannot be completely ruled out.

Despite a challenging conclusion to the 2025 season for the Vols, Tennessee supporters have every reason to hope that Heupel remains in Knoxville. Although there are areas where he can improve during the offseason, he has provided remarkable stability to the program. At this juncture, the last thing the team needs is another search for a head coach.

This report was first published by A to Z Sports on November 30, 2025, under the Nashville section. Readers can designate A to Z Sports as a Preferred Source by following the provided link.

Author: Sophia Brooks