Josh Heupel Orange & White Game Press Conference

Head coach Josh Heupel addressed the media following the 2025 Orange & White Game at Neyland Stadium.

[BrentCrowley]

Not a vols fan but props to Josh. Handled every question, never diminished Nico but stood up for his school. Y’all got a real one Vol Nation

[paulstruxness]

Finally! Someone had to do it. My hat’s off to the leadership of this program.

[tennesseesmoky]

I appreciate Coach Heupel’s leadership, courage, and dedication to the University of Tennessee Football program. He is a good leader for this program. He is a rock solid college football coach. And Coach Heupel is exactly right… no one player nor one coach is bigger than the Tennessee Volunteers program. This program has been around since November 21, 1891. That’s program that has had many players and coaches who have walked onto that football field to “give their all for Tennessee” for over 130 years. So while Nico enters the transfer portal in hopes of finding a $10 million dollar pot of gold… the Tennessee Volunteers Football program moves forward without him. This is the new world of NIL and the transfer portal in college football… sad as it is. GO BIG ORANGE!

[The_Vol]

We got you coach. Keep doing your thing man.

[JenniferDavis-jx]

Coach heupel is a great leader and I'm so happy to have him apart of vol nation. Makes me even happier that my husband and son are sooners fans and I get to tell them he's the greatest thing to ever come out of Norman

[bryanroberts]

I dont care if we go 6 and 6.. At this moment I'm proud of the University of Tennessee, it's staff, and it's players!

[North]

GBO! Proud to be a Vol! I wish Nico the best.

[PokéTiger_official]

I was at the game! I was rather disappointed in Nico and how he handled everything. Missing practice and a meeting, not contacting anyone cuz he wanted more money? That’s not something a vol for life would do. It is time we move on without him. GBO!

[deandreray]

He was a QB from Long Beach he had no loyalty here without the money he wouldn’t have even been here these college kids are spoiled!!

[utjon]

Go Big Orange!! 11 players on the field, no single player is going to win a game by himself. Hopefully the next starting QB can hit the deep post.

[shinebright]

Heupal throwing shade Nico's way while appearing to take the high road Good for him. Go Vols. We can do better. We need a dog that WANTS TO PLAY AND BE A VOL FOR LIFE

[bryanroberts]

No different than a season ending injury... gotta get the best you can find on the team/portal and let's go! GBO!!

[brandonray]

Gator fan here, you guys did the right thing!!! He isn’t worth that much money as a player yet. Maybe in future but not now

[thomasbarnes]

Josh fought so hard against the NCAA for Nico and him playing with the Vols.
Shows the lack of character by Nico.

[davidhill]

NIL will kill college football, worst thing since social media

[oreopuppydawg]

Nico Ima Leave Ya wasn’t worth what he was getting unless it was in pesos! Better off without that mess! Good leadership Hype! GBO!

[blakehartsfield]

Couch looking more fit! Looking good coach!

[TUHurricanefan]

One of Heupel teammates from Oklahoma who is on Oklahoma football radio asked OU new GM Jim Nagy about the Knoxville aka Tennessee situation that came out today. Nico wanting more money and Nagy is learning from this and has a plan if it happens at OU. This is why you need a GM to do all this NIL and portal stuff.

[TUHurricanefan]

A Sooner fan here, Josh Heupel did the right thing and said NO to Nico’s deal! Let him go and get someone better. It is all about money now in college sports. These players are selfish. It is money and not about development or making it to pros. I have Josh back.

[insanetoxxic]

I just hope we choose a QB that is ready to step up and wants to win and can actually win some games