Josh Heupel Named To 2025 Dodd Trophy Preseason Watch List
Courtesy / UT Athletics

Josh Heupel Named To 2025 Dodd Trophy Preseason Watch List

Posted on July 8, 2025

ATLANTA – Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel, who enters his fifth year at the helm of the Volunteers, has been named to the 2025 Dodd Trophy Preseason Watch List, the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation and Peach Bowl, Inc., announced Monday.

Heupel is one of 26 head coaches nationally and eight SEC head coaches tabbed to the list.

The Dodd Trophy celebrates the head coach of a team who enjoys success on the gridiron, while also stressing the importance of scholarship, leadership and integrity – the three pillars of legendary coach Bobby Dodd’s coaching philosophy. Now celebrating its 50th anniversary this season, the award was established to honor the NCAA FBS head football coach whose program represents the highest ideals on and off the field.

The watch list was created through a selection process by the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation and Peach Bowl, Inc. taking into consideration each program’s Academic Progress Rate (APR), Graduation Success Rate (GSR), commitment to service and charity in the community, as well as projected success for the 2025 season.

Heupel, a two-time National Coach of the Year finalist, has guided Tennessee to its winningest three-year stretch since 1998-2000 with 30 victories during that span and berths in the 2022 Orange Bowl and 2024 College Football Playoff.

Heupel’s revival of the Volunteers has seen him produce a 37-15 overall record, 11 victories over Top 25 teams and three straight top-20 poll finishes. The 11 ranked wins are sixth nationally among FBS head coaches during that span and are already fifth in UT history. Heupel’s .712 winning percentage is the second-highest by a Vol coach in the last five decades. His 37 wins are the third-most through the first four full seasons by a UT coach, trailing only Bill Battle (39 from 1970-73) and Phillip Fulmer (38 from 1993-96).

The Vols’ on-field success has correlated in the classroom as Tennessee has shattered the program record for GPA in four consecutive fall semesters under Heupel. The Vols produced semester records for GPA in the fall of 2024 (3.18) and the spring of 2025 (3.25).

Heupel and the Vols will appear at SEC Media Day on Tuesday, July 15 in Atlanta, a city where UT opens its season against Syracuse in the Aflac Kickoff Game on Aug. 30 in Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The Vols begin practice on Wednesday, July 30.  

2025 Dodd Trophy Preseason Watch List
Bret Bielema, Illinois
Jeff Brohm, Louisville
Curt Cignetti, Indiana
Mario Cristobal , Miami (Fla.)
Matt Campbell, Iowa State
Spencer Danielson, Boise State
Ryan Day, Ohio State
Kalen DeBoer, Alabama
Kenny Dillingham, Arizona State
Eliah Drinkwitz, Mizzou
Mike Elko, Texas A&M
James Franklin, Penn State
Marcus Freeman, Notre Dame
Josh Heupel, Tennessee
Brian Kelly, LSU
Brent Key, Georgia Tech
Chris Klieman, Kansas State
Dan Lanning, Oregon
Joey McGuire, Texas Tech
Jeff Monken, Army
Steve Sarkisian, Texas
Ryan Silverfield, Memphis
Kalani Sitake, BYU
Kirby Smart, Georgia
Dabo Swinney, Clemson
Brent Venables, Oklahoma

TDOT with a Special Traffic Alert for I-275 in Knox County
TDOT

TDOT with a Special Traffic Alert for I-275 in Knox County

Posted on July 7, 2025

KNOXVILLE – Motorists traveling on I-275 in Knox County should be aware of upcoming road construction activities that will have a significant impact on traffic.

Beginning at 7 p.m. on Friday, July 11, I-275 will be closed in each direction as crews work to replace the bridge over Elm Street and Bernard Avenue.  Motorists can bypass the work zone by using I-40 and I-640. This closure will be in place until 6 a.m. on Monday, July 14.

Motorists should be aware that I-275 will also be closed beginning on Friday night, July 18, through Monday morning, July 21.  A third weekend closure of I-275 will be necessary in the Fall.

This project employs Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) techniques, including innovative planning, design, materials, and construction methods. ABC works safely and cost-effectively to reduce the onsite construction time that occurs when building new bridges or replacing and rehabilitating existing bridges. ABC improves site constructability, total project delivery time, and work-zone safety for the traveling public. 

You can learn more about the I-275 bridge replacement project here: https://www.tn.gov/tdot/projects/projects-region-1/interstate-275–bridge-over-elm-street-bernard-avenue.html

This schedule is contingent on favorable weather conditions.  Motorists are advised to expect delays and use extreme caution in this area as workers will be present.

As always, drivers are reminded to use all motorist information tools wisely and “Know Before You Go!” by checking travel conditions before leaving for your destination. Drivers should never tweet, text, or talk on a cell phone while behind the wheel.

Knoxville Police Identify Man who Died after Falling from Crane
KPD

Knoxville Police Identify Man who Died after Falling from Crane

Posted on July 7, 2025

UPDATE: The victim from this incident has been identified as Jackson Gervasio, 21 of Marquette, Michigan.

KPD NEWS RELEASE: 21-year-old man dies after falling from crane

A man died after falling from a crane at a construction site in the Fort Sanders area early Saturday morning.

At around 2 a.m. on Saturday, July 5, 2025, Knoxville Police Department and UTPD officers responded to the area of Lake Avenue and 19th Street. Upon arrival, officers and EMS personnel located the victim, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

Further investigation revealed that the victim, a 21-year-old man from Michigan, climbed over a fence to enter the construction site and then climbed onto the crane before falling from the top. It is believed that the victim was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident.

The deceased was transported to the Regional Forensic Center for further examination.

Violent Crimes Unit detectives responded to the scene and are leading the investigation, which remains ongoing at this time.

ROCKWOOD MAN FACES FIRST-DEGREE MURDER CHARGE IN CUMBERLAND COUNTY SHOOTING
tbi

ROCKWOOD MAN FACES FIRST-DEGREE MURDER CHARGE IN CUMBERLAND COUNTY SHOOTING

Posted on July 7, 2025

CUMBERLAND COUNTY – A joint investigation by special agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office has resulted in an arrest.

At the request of 13th Judicial District Attorney General Bryant Dunaway, TBI special agents began investigating a shooting that occurred Sunday night in the 200 block of George Anna Drive in Rockwood.  Deputies responded and found the victim, Michael Kerley (DOB 10/18/1988). He received medical attention from EMS and was subsequently pronounced dead on the scene.  During the course of the investigation, agents determined Devin Schillinger (DOB 10/13/1954) was responsible for shooting the victim.

Sunday night, Schillinger was arrested and charged with one count of 1st Degree Murder. He was booked into the Cumberland County Jail on a $1,000,000 bond.

The charges and allegations referenced in this release are merely accusations of criminal conduct and not evidence. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt and convicted through due process of law.

Shots Fired in Multi-County Chase Involving a Robbery Suspect in Knox County
WVLT

Shots Fired in Multi-County Chase Involving a Robbery Suspect in Knox County

Posted on July 7, 2025

A multi county police chase which started with a robbery suspect in Knox County and ends in Loudon County.

The Loudon County Sheriff’s Office says the suspect was taken into custody early Sunday morning after firing shots following the chase on Highway 70.

A suspect wanted on robbery charges led deputies with the Knox County Sheriff’s Office on a chase into Loudon County and when the suspect turned onto Highway 321 they hit a Lenoir City Police Department cruiser.

The suspect was boxed in and safely taken into custody. Fortunately, there were no injuries.

Shots Fired in Multi-County Chase Involving a Robbery Suspect in Knox County
WVLT

Shots Fired in Multi-County Chase Involving a Robbery Suspect in Knox County

Posted on July 7, 2025

A multi county police chase which started with a robbery suspect in Knox County and ends in Loudon County.

The Loudon County Sheriff’s Office says the suspect was taken into custody early Sunday morning after firing shots following the chase on Highway 70.

A suspect wanted on robbery charges led deputies with the Knox County Sheriff’s Office on a chase into Loudon County and when the suspect turned onto Highway 321 they hit a Lenoir City Police Department cruiser.

The suspect was boxed in and safely taken into custody. Fortunately, there were no injuries.

An Investigation is Underway After a Car Crashes Into North Knoxville Business
WVLT

An Investigation is Underway After a Car Crashes Into North Knoxville Business

Posted on July 7, 2025

An investigation is underway after a car hits a building, seriously injuring the driver.

Rural Metro crews were called to K-Town Bonding Company on Washington Pike near Luttrell Road early yesterday (Sunday) morning and found a car crashed into the building. The driver had to be cut from the heavily damaged car and the building sustained heavy damage.

The driver was taken to the hospital and is in serious condition.

Knoxville Police are Searching for the Suspect in an East Knoxville Apartment Fatal Shooting
KPD

Knoxville Police are Searching for the Suspect in an East Knoxville Apartment Fatal Shooting

Posted on July 7, 2025

Knoxville Police are investigating and have identified the suspect after a man is found dead at an apartment complex in East Knoxville.

Police called to the 800 block of Howard Baker, Jr. Avenue early yesterday morning and say 48-year-old Michael Velazquez had been shot, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

The preliminary investigation shows the shooting stemmed from an altercation involving the victim and 28 year-old Wayne Parham who has been charged with second-degree murder but is not in custody.

Anyone with information is asked to contact East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers anonymously at 865-215-7165.

Tennessee To Honor United States Armed Forces With “Volunteer Spirit” Smokey Grey Series Uniform
Courtesy / UT Athletics

Tennessee To Honor United States Armed Forces With “Volunteer Spirit” Smokey Grey Series Uniform

Posted on July 6, 2025

For centuries, Volunteers have always answered the call through service, sacrifice and selfless leadership. This is the Volunteer Spirit.

Tennessee’s defining pillar of service and selfless leadership for more than 200 years, the “Volunteer Spirit” provides the inspiration behind the newest Nike Smokey Grey series football uniform that will honor the United States Armed Forces during the fall of 2025. 

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