ETSU Head Coach Explains What it Will Take to Upset the Tennessee Volunteers
College football thrives on stories of underdogs daring to believe in the impossible, and this season, the East Tennessee State Buccaneers are stepping into one of their biggest challenges yet as they prepare to face the Tennessee Volunteers. On paper, the matchup tilts heavily toward the Vols, a program with history, depth, and a rabid fan base that fills Neyland Stadium with a sea of orange. But when ETSU head coach sat down with reporters this week, he didn’t flinch when asked about his team’s chances. Instead, he broke down, piece by piece, what it will take for his Buccaneers to engineer the kind of upset that would shake the college football world and give his players a moment they would never forget.
The coach started by acknowledging the obvious — Tennessee is a powerhouse, built with four- and five-star recruits, NFL-level talent, and the kind of resources most FCS programs can only dream of. But football, he reminded everyone, is not played on paper. It is played on the field, in the heat of the moment, and in those moments anything can happen if preparation meets opportunity. “We know what we’re up against,” he said. “But our guys didn’t come here to back down from challenges. We came here to compete, and if we’re going to compete with Tennessee, there are some things we absolutely must do.”
The first key, he explained, is ball control. Against a high-octane offense like Tennessee’s, possession is precious. The Vols thrive on wearing down defenses with tempo and speed, scoring quickly, and forcing opponents to chase the game. For ETSU, the game plan must revolve around slowing things down, keeping the chains moving, and chewing up clock. “We can’t afford three-and-outs,” the coach noted. “Every drive has to matter. We need to string together first downs, stay ahead of the sticks, and make Tennessee’s defense stay on the field longer than they want to.” He emphasized the importance of third-down efficiency, saying that success in those critical moments would determine whether ETSU could keep the game close.
Beyond ball control, turnovers loom large. Upsets in college football almost always come with a lopsided turnover margin in favor of the underdog. The coach made it clear that forcing mistakes from Tennessee’s quarterback and protecting the football on ETSU’s end would be non-negotiable. “We’ve got to win the turnover battle,” he said. “It’s that simple. If we give them extra possessions, they’ll make us pay. But if we can take the ball away, if we can flip the field, then we give ourselves a fighting chance.” He pointed to his defense’s aggressiveness in practice, focusing on stripping the ball, jumping routes, and finding ways to make the Vols uncomfortable.
Another focus is special teams, often the most overlooked phase of the game. For ETSU, special teams could be the great equalizer. “We need to steal yards wherever we can,” the coach said. “That means crisp kick coverage, it means disciplined lanes, and it means taking advantage of return opportunities. If we can make a big play on special teams — a blocked punt, a long return — those are momentum changers in games like this.” He reminded his players that special teams often decide close contests, and while most might not expect ETSU to keep it close, he refuses to let his team approach the game with that mindset.
Physicality is another area where ETSU must hold its ground. Tennessee’s size and athleticism are daunting, but the Buccaneers’ coach challenged his players to match intensity with intensity. “We can’t play timid,” he said. “From the first snap, we’ve got to hit them in the mouth, play with confidence, and let them know we’re here to compete. If you play scared against a team like Tennessee, the game is over before it begins. But if you play with belief and physicality, you make them respect you.”
Of course, no upset happens without belief, and that may be the biggest factor of all. The coach spent as much time talking about mindset as he did about X’s and O’s. “The outside world doesn’t give us a chance, and that’s fine,” he said. “But in our locker room, we believe. We’ve worked too hard not to. We’ve prepared, we’ve studied, and we’re going to step on that field with the belief that we belong there. If we play scared, if we play like we’re happy just to be there, then we’ll get exactly what people expect. But if we play with heart, if we play with belief, then who knows what can happen?”
He referenced other famous upsets in college football history, reminding his players that every Goliath has fallen at some point. Appalachian State’s shocking win over Michigan, Boise State’s heroics in the Fiesta Bowl, and countless smaller but equally stunning underdog stories all serve as proof that belief and execution can overcome talent gaps. “Nobody remembers the games that went as expected,” he said. “They remember the ones where someone shocked the world. Why not us?”
As the interview wrapped, it was clear that while ETSU’s coach isn’t delusional about the challenge, he isn’t intimidated either. His breakdown of what it will take to upset Tennessee — controlling the ball, winning turnovers, excelling in special teams, matching physicality, and above all, believing — is less about lofty dreams and more about instilling a blueprint for his players. Even if the scoreboard doesn’t favor the Buccaneers at the end, he wants his team to walk away knowing they gave everything, executed their plan, and represented their program with pride.
For ETSU fans, the message is inspiring. College football is as much about heart as it is about talent, and their coach has made it clear that his team is going into Neyland Stadium with both. For Tennessee fans, it’s a reminder that no game can be taken for granted. Upsets happen when the favorites grow complacent, and if the Vols underestimate their in-state visitors, they may find themselves in a fight they didn’t expect.
In the end, whether or not ETSU pulls off the upset, their head coach has already won the respect of his players and fans by daring to dream and by showing them the steps required to make dreams a reality. Football may be measured in wins and losses, but it is built on preparation, belief, and courage. And as ETSU prepares to take on Tennessee, one thing is clear: their coach has given them all three in abundance.
