Before Josh Heupel took the helm of Tennessee's program while inspiring hope in a fan base starved of success, he was an immensely successful player in his own right.

The former quarterback began his career at Weber State and eventually transferred to Snow College. Then, he committed to Oklahoma to finish his career.

That final season in Norman could not have gone better for a young Heupel. He was the Heisman runner-up, AP College Football Player of the Year, a Consensus All-American and led the Sooners to the 2000 BCS National Championship.

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Despite standing out as one of the best college quarterbacks of the early 21st century, two decades later, his current players may need a history lesson.

One solution Heupel joked about was throwing up his old highlights for the Vols to watch at practice.

"Yeah, they don’t know enough about my playing career," said Heupel. "Day one in training camp, make sure we put a couple highlights up there. None of them of me running around, either, by the way."

Despite the lack of recognition his Tennessee players give him, Joe Milton flexed his knowledge of his coach at SEC Media Days.

This included his cousin, former NFL star Anquan Boldin, being on the losing end against Heupel in the championship game.

"I know he played in the Orange Bowl. Against my cousin actually. He played in the Orange Bowl against my cousin, Anquan Boldin," said Milton. "I know he won a National Championship. I know the excitement on his face, just recently seen a picture of that. I know he did not start off at Oklahoma. He came from a JUCO then went to Oklahoma and then he was successful there."

One aspect of Heupel's life that he needed to be reminded of, though, was where his coach was born and raised. He said he knew it was cold since the team is constantly reminded of it when winter rolls around in Knoxville.

The answer is South Dakota.

While his dad was the coach of Northern State, he grew up studying film and learning the game with his father. As a senior in high school, he earned the state's player of the year, as well.

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His long road from South Dakota to Oklahoma and his path throughout the coaching ranks of college football haven't always been smooth, though. Heupel eventually returned to Norman after a short stint as an NFL player to coach.

However, after a falling out with the university and Bob Stoops, he moved on to other positions before eventually landing at the top of the Vols' program.

Despite the strained relationship, Heupel says he has nothing but love for his former college and the people there.

"The relationship with Oklahoma really isn’t complicated," said Heupel. "I have got nothing but great memories of the people and my time there. I certainly do. I got a chance to talk about Mike Leach a few minutes ago backstage in an interview. And, you know, everybody there helped shape who I am and where I’m at today, and still got a lot of great friends and teammates that live back there."

This history and current job will meet a crossroads in 2024. The Vols are set to travel to play Oklahoma that season — sending Heupel back to his alma mater.

Despite a possible awkwardness and the question of fan response, he is excited for the chance to return to Norman.

"So the opportunity to go back to Oklahoma, yeah, I wish they were coming to Knoxville first," said Heupel. "I say that jokingly, but looking forward to that opportunity. That’s a long ways down the road, man. Focused on ’23, but that will be a unique day in my career, obviously to go back there."

His third year on Rocky Top will begin on Sept. 2 when Tennessee travels to Nashville to face Virginia. After an 11-2 2022 season, expectations are high for Heupel's Vols squad.

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