Mike Ekeler didn’t sugarcoat where Tennessee football started three years ago.
The Vols special teams coordinator arrived in Knoxville with coach Josh Heupel in 2021, and he’s “beyond excited” to be part of what they’re building at UT.
“When Josh Heupel came in here, let me tell you what: It was a hot mess, and we all know it,” Ekeler said at the Knoxville Quarterback Club on Monday. “No reason to backtrack and go back there. But I tell you, where it is right now, we’re got great kids in this program … they’re great young men representing, doing things the right way.”
Tennessee (4-0, 1-0 SEC) is undefeated going into its road matchup with Arkansas (3-2, 1-1) on Saturday (7:30 p.m. ET, ABC). The Vols opened conference play with a 25-15 road win over Oklahoma before having an open date last weekend.
Ekeler and Heupel were graduate assistants at Oklahoma in 2004, and the return trip to Norman didn’t disappoint.
“It’s going to be a great environment (at Arkansas), and we expect it to be half-full with Vol fans, too, just like Oklahoma,” Ekeler said. “I tell you, it was crazy. I had coached at Oklahoma for a few years, and I had never seen that many opposing fans in a stadium. And let me tell you, we could hear you, too, now. I mean, it was awesome.”
Tennessee has been known for its offense under Heupel, but the Vols’ defense is turning heads early in the season. Ekeler, who also coaches outside linebackers, praised the work defensive coordinator Tim Banks has done in the last three years.
The Vols lead the nation in total defense, only allowing 176 yards per game – that averages out to 3.13 yards allowed per play, which also leads the nation. They also lead the nation in third-down conversion percentage, with opponents only converting 17% of third down attempts.
“Year Four, so guys understand the system inside-out, front and back. They’re out there flying around,” Ekeler said of the defense. “They know the checks. They know the adjustments, and they’re having fun doing it. And we’ve got a great camaraderie on this team — both offense, defense and special teams — and, again, it all starts from the head ball coach. And that’s what Heup brought in here four years ago.”
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Tennessee has climbed the rankings to No. 4 after starting the season with blowout wins and a gritty road victory against Oklahoma. As they get into the thick of SEC play, the Vols are on track to contend for a spot in the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff.
“We’ve got an opportunity to be a really good football team,” Ekeler said. “And we’ve just got to (take it) one day at a time, just keep on improving. And that’s what Heup preaches, and that’s what our kids have bought into.”
Cora Hall covers University of Tennessee women’s athletics. Email her at cora.hall@knoxnews.com and follow her on Twitter @corahalll. If you enjoy Cora’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that allows you to access all of it.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Mike Ekeler: Tennessee football went from ‘hot mess’ to top-five team
