Former Tennessee Vols Assistant Joe Osovet Begins Year Four Leading Heritage High School Football With Championship Ambitions Rising

Joe Osovet’s football journey has taken him from the high-stakes sideline of Neyland Stadium to the heart of high school football in East Tennessee, where he’s quietly building something special. Now entering his fourth season as head coach at Heritage High School in Maryville, Osovet brings with him the same intensity, innovation, and passion that once made him one of the more talked-about offensive minds on the University of Tennessee football staff.

When Osovet first took the job at Heritage in 2021, many around the state were surprised. A coach who had been on staff at an SEC powerhouse choosing to lead a high school program that hadn’t seen sustained success in decades raised eyebrows. But for Osovet, the decision was rooted in something deeper than prestige. It was about purpose, development, and the chance to instill long-term impact—both on and off the field.

“I didn’t come here to retire quietly,” Osovet said during spring workouts earlier this year. “I came to teach, to compete, and to turn Heritage into a program the community can be proud of every Friday night.”

Heritage High School isn’t just any school in East Tennessee. Located in Maryville, it sits in the shadow of perennial powerhouse Maryville High. For years, the Mountaineers have struggled to emerge from that shadow. Before Osovet arrived, Heritage had suffered through multiple losing seasons and hadn’t won more than three games in a single campaign in over a decade. Changing that culture, Osovet knew, would be the hardest part—and also the most rewarding.

In his first season, the Mountaineers finished 2-8. But Osovet saw something few others did: a foundation being poured. In his second year, they doubled their win total and finished 4-6, earning respect from opponents who had long dismissed them. By year three, they came painfully close to a .500 record, finishing 5-6 but with competitive performances in nearly every game. The school had its first playoff berth in years. More importantly, the players believed again.

“We’ve learned how to fight,” said rising senior linebacker Carter Jenkins. “Coach Osovet came in and didn’t promise quick wins. He promised discipline, accountability, and that if we bought in, the wins would come. And we believe him.”

Much of the success has been due to Osovet’s offensive expertise. As a former offensive analyst and tight ends coach at Tennessee under Jeremy Pruitt, Osovet was well-regarded for his football IQ. Prior to his stint in Knoxville, he gained national attention at the junior college level, where he led high-powered offenses and earned a reputation as a quarterback whisperer.

At Heritage, Osovet has brought those same principles. His offense is built around tempo, spacing, and intelligent reads. In 2024, the Mountaineers averaged more than 24 points per game—a stark contrast to the single-digit scoring averages of the pre-Osovet years. Quarterbacks have flourished under his guidance, and the program has begun to attract athletes who might previously have gone to bigger programs nearby.

“He just knows how to scheme,” said junior quarterback Tyler McGinnis, who threw for over 2,000 yards last season. “Every week, we feel like we have the upper hand because of the film study, the adjustments, and the confidence he gives us.”

But it’s not just on the field where Osovet is making an impact. Off the field, he has implemented what he calls a “Culture Calendar”—a daily guide to team values, goal-setting, and life lessons that players discuss during morning meetings. The initiative has helped foster unity in a program that desperately needed identity.

“He’s more than a coach,” said Heritage Athletic Director Greg Farmer. “He’s a mentor, a motivator, and a builder. What he’s done here isn’t just about football—it’s about life preparation.”

The 2025 season holds more promise than any in recent Heritage history. The team returns 17 starters, including a senior-heavy offensive line that Osovet has called “the backbone of everything we’re trying to accomplish.” They’ve added new strength and conditioning programs, revamped their playbook, and scheduled tougher opponents to push their development.

Yet Osovet isn’t talking about wins or playoff brackets when asked about goals. Instead, he points to consistency.

“You don’t change a culture overnight, and you don’t win championships by chasing scoreboards,” he said. “You do it by winning every rep in practice. By holding your teammate accountable. By living up to your standard every single day. If we do that, the rest will come.”

For many in the coaching world, high school football may seem like a step down after time spent at a Power Five program. But Osovet bristles at that notion. He views Heritage as not just a project, but a calling.

“There’s purity in this level of the game,” Osovet said. “It’s not about NIL deals or headlines or five-star ratings. It’s about coaching kids who want to get better every single day. It’s about building something lasting. That’s why I’m here.”

Of course, his name still holds weight in collegiate coaching circles. Each offseason, rumors circulate about Osovet potentially returning to the college game. He admits he still gets calls from programs asking about his availability. But each time, he gives the same answer: he’s not done yet in Maryville.

“I’ve never chased the next thing,” Osovet said. “When I commit to something, I see it through. Heritage gave me a chance to lead. That means everything.”

As he begins his fourth year at the helm, expectations are higher than ever. The community is engaged, the stands are fuller, and for the first time in decades, Heritage High football is a conversation topic on local radio beyond just scores. The Mountaineers are no longer an afterthought—they’re a team that demands respect.

For Osovet, that evolution represents more than just wins. It’s proof that belief, hard work, and leadership can change a narrative, even when the odds are steep.

As the sun sets on another summer camp session and fall approaches, you can find him the same place every day—whistle in hand, teaching fundamentals, challenging his players, and pushing them to chase greatness. And maybe, just maybe, helping a new generation of athletes in Maryville believe they can write their own legacy—one Friday night at a time.