The eight finalists for the 2022 Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year award were announced on Tuesday.
To the surprise of many, Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel was not on the list of finalists, despite being named the AP SEC Coach of the Year on Monday.
The eight finalists are as follows:
- Sonny Dykes – TCU (12-1)
- Jim Harbaugh – Michigan (13-0)
- Kirby Smart – Georgia (13-0)
- Mike Elko – Duke (8-4)
- Willie Fritz – Tulane (11-2)
- Lincoln Riley – Southern California (11-2)
- Jon Sumrall – Troy (11-2)
- Jeff Traylor – UT San Antonio (11-2)
More from RTI: Four Vols Land On All-SEC Coaches First Team
It makes sense to have a wide range of coaches on the finalists’ list. It makes sense to have three College Football Playoff coaches and some Group of Five coaches as well. But to not have Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel? Seems a bit of a stretch.
Heupel led Tennessee to a 10-2 record on the season in his second year in Knoxville. Josh Heupel also achieved Tennessee’s first 10-win season since 2006. Clearly, in the minds of the AP members, that was enough to have him listed as the SEC Coach of the Year.
That wasn’t enough for the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year committee, though.
This is also the second instance in 48 hours that a Tennessee figure has been given an SEC “of-the-year” award only to immediately be snubbed from the national awards.
Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker was named the SEC Offensive Player of the Year but didn’t receive an invitation to the 2022 Heisman Trophy ceremony. Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett did.
Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel was named the SEC Coach of the Year but wasn’t one of the eight finalists for the national coach of the year award. Yet Georgia head coach Kirby Smart was.
That’s not trying to specifically knock Georgia, who had an undefeated season and defeated Tennessee. That’s that and that happened. But it is obviously showing the discrepancy in how Tennessee’s figures are viewed within the conference and around the nation. To not even receive finalist nominations is truly head-scratching.
Josh Heupel was named the co-First Year Head Coach of the Year after the 2021 season. South Carolina’s Shane Beamer also shared that award with Heupel.
Finalists for the 2022 Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award
Sonny Dykes, TCU
Mike Elko, Duke
Willie Fritz, Tulane
Jim Harbaugh, Michigan
Lincoln Riley, USC
Kirby Smart, Georgia
Jon Sumrall, Troy
Jeff Traylor, UTSA— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) December 6, 2022
16 Responses
Typical treatment for Tennessee and very unfortunate.
Doesn’t surprise me. I’ve always felt the media and sports world has a genuine dislike for Tennessee. Such a shame for Heupel and Hooker. They are both deserving individuals. We are the Tennessee Volunteers. We’re loud and proud and have been for hundreds of years. We will be for hundreds more.
No it is not surprising as the media has snubbed Tennessee for years….but Tennessee will prevail and will be better for it!
Please, Respect is gained with each snub at a time.
The program knows where it is headed. Why do we need others to tell us?
To me it’s sad that heupel wasn’t coach of the year he took this job two years ago and everyone said he couldn’t rebuild Tennessee if he could it would take 5 years he did it in two years and nobody has gave heupel the credit he deserves it’s sad that the media has no respect for Tennessee but everyone will remember the Vols to come we aren’t going anywhere but up get ready for it we are coming back to the top in college football period
Maybe he should get a rookie of the year award but I don’t think he should be considered coach of the year until he matures. He still coaches like a thug and he got a well deserved taste of his own medicine with South Carolina. He has non class.
Hooker hopefully will do good in the NFL. If you remember Peyton Manning deserved the Heisman but didn’t get it. Hooker should have got an invite. Peyton and Hendon are prime examples of role models for heisman candiates. To me the heisman has lost its role as an award since Peyton didn’t get it. So go Hendon to the NFL and prove you were deserving as Peyton did… Good luck…
No Brian Kelly? Tenn beat Bama, that’s it. Kelly took a depleted roster and made them sec west champs. . The hate for this man I’d phenomenal
Charles Woodson deserved the Heismann
David Haley is obviously not a Tennessee fan. Probably a Bama or Georgia fan. Maybe even be a South Carolina fan. Why he referenced Heupel as a Thug is beyond me. This guy must be a thug himself. He’s obviously the best coach in the SEC this year so what’s the problem buddy. I love the way he coaches. Let’s hope he keeps coaching the same way for years to come. If you are a Tennessee fan I hope you get lost. If you are not, I hope we beat whoever your team is. Go vols!!!
It’s a shame how politics have destroyed college sports. The heisman trophy is a joke and has been every since they snubbed Johnny Majors in the fifties and then Peyton Manning in 97 and now Henson Hooker. WTF has ESPN got against Tennessee is beyond me. That’s alright man do like peyton did and be a hall of famer . Lol the media is looking more stupid every time they shun someone from Tn. And when Josh and the boys wins the National Championship I hope maybe then they might give him coach of the year . IDK u can’t fix stupid!!!!. Lmao. GO BIG ORANGE
Charles Woodson was not even the best defensive back that year, check the stats moron!!!
The half-wit that thinks Heuple coaches like a thug, sounds like a kindergartner who lost his lunch money on the playground, and needs boo-boo kisses from mommy. That, and the rocket scientist who thinks Woodson was more deserving than Peyton, is obviously more adept at expounding about ladies soccer. GO VOLS!
That’s what happens when you give up 63 points to South Carolina.
NO WORDS CAN EXPLAIN THIS!! VOL STRONG, AND CARRY ON!!!!!!! ORANGE AND WHITE FOR LIFE!!!!!
Ryan, it’s because he’s a jealous dipshit. USCjr hasn’t done dick since SOS (speaking of classless) was there. USCjr has reached the new sexy. If you think Tennessee ran the score up people this year just wait. Is USCjr good at anything besides I get it , I’d be jealous too
Cheers!