Tennessee Head Coach Josh Heupel Thanks His Wife Dawn Heupel for Balancing His Life, Saying She Is “My Copilot in Life”

Josh winning percentage at Tennessee is the second‑highest by a Vol coach in the last 50 year!

January 4, 2026

This article was last updated by Alisha Shrestha on January 4, 2026

American college football coach and former player for the University of Tennessee, Joshua “Josh” Kenneth Heupel, has a loving wife, Dawn Heupel, with whom he shares two children.

Josh Heupel began his coaching career in 2004 as a graduate assistant at Oklahoma.

He has been coaching for over 20 years, with head coaching roles at UCF (2018–2026) and Tennessee (2026–present).

Before coaching, he played at Weber State (1996–1997), Snow College (1998), and then starred at Oklahoma (1999–2000).

He led Oklahoma to the 2000 BCS National Championship, won the Walter Camp Award, and was named AP College Football Player of the Year.

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Tennessee Head Coach Josh Heupel and His Wife, Dawn Heupel, Were High School Sweethearts!

While the exact date of their marriage is not known, what is known is that Josh and Dawn were high school sweethearts at Aberdeen Central High School.

Following their relationship from their teenage years, they married and have shared decades of life together.

Josh’s wife, Dawn, is also a North Dakota State University graduate, where she majored in Architecture.

Okay, here's one for you. The real secret behind Josh Heupel, his wife Dawn. She is one of the kindest sweetest people I've ever known.

— OKLA & America 1st (@OklaAmerica1st)

Like Josh, Dawn was an athlete in her youth, playing basketball and volleyball in college.

Apart from her college career, not many details about Dawn are publicly disclosed. What is known is that she has been a pillar of support for Josh and their children.

Josh often credits his wife for supporting his career and raising their kids. During his time with the , he thanked his wife, saying;

“I want to take this time to thank my wife Dawn, my copilot in life. She’s probably piloting most of the time when I’m at the office.”

Following their happy marriage of over a decade, the couple also share two children: a daughter named Hannah and a son named Jace.

Like their parents, both of Josh’s children are involved in sports. Hannah plays basketball, volleyball, and golf, while Jace is involved in baseball and football.

Therefore, being together for over two decades, Josh and Dawn now share a fulfilling family life with their children.

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In Case You Don’t Know

  • Josh Heupel has a younger sister named Andrea Heupel. She is married to former U.S. Representative Dan Boren.
  • Heupel became the 27th head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers in January 2026.
  • Heupel was a National Champion quarterback in 2000 with the University of Oklahoma. That team won the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) National Title.
  • Check other Articles on

Nishan Dahal writes sports with a human touch, covering breaking news, athlete lives, and the stories that stats can't tell. Nishan believes every athlete has a story worth telling. With the goal of bringing those stories to life with honesty, heart, and a touch of curiosity, he shares his insights through PlayerBio.

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