Paul Finebaum has rarely been shy about calling out coaches on the hot seat, and his latest target is one of the SEC's most recognizable programs. Speaking on the Crain & Cone podcast, the longtime SEC analyst put Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel squarely under the microscope . The criticism arrives at a fragile moment for the Volunteers. After an 8-5 finish in 2025 that included a stunning home loss to Vanderbilt and a bowl defeat, the Knoxville fanbase is restless. Finebaum's read is that Tennessee, despite the brand and the resources, is quietly drifting away from the contender tier in the SEC. Why Finebaum is calling out Heupel Finebaum opened with a positive personal opinion on the Volunteers while delivering the blow. "I bring Josh Heupel up. I like him. He has made the playoffs one time, but he's been there what, four or five years, and it feels like the program is going in the wrong direction," Finebaum said. "That should not happen, and it's a very bad sign for a name-brand program.…