As the clock ticked down to midnight, Tennessee Volunteers head coach Josh Heupel made his way out of the stadium after a grueling day of practice. It was the bye week, a short break for the team, but as always, the work never really stopped. Heupel glanced at his watch as he swiped his card and officially clocked out for the night.
Just as he was about to pull out of the stadium parking lot, his phone lit up with a notification. It was from Tennessee’s athletic department, an update request for a press release about his plans for the remainder of the season. He sighed, knowing fans were eager for news, especially after an up-and-down season. Expectations were sky-high, and he knew the pressure was on.
The text message from his assistant read, “Are we ready to update the press? They’re buzzing for any news.”
Heupel paused. Despite the late hour, he started typing, determined to give fans a glimpse of his unwavering dedication. “Tell them this: We’re here to compete, and we’re not done fighting yet. We’ll be back after the bye, ready and hungry.”
As he hit send, Heupel felt the spark of excitement he always got before a big game. The season was far from over, and he knew he and his Volunteers still had a lot left to give.