Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Joey Aguilar noted this week that Josh Heupel and Joey Halzle’s offense was QB-friendly and similar to last year’s schemes. The Knoxville News Sentinel’s Adam Sparks made the natural connection to UCLA Bruins transfer and ex-Vol Nico Iamaleava.
Aguilar may or may not have called out Iamaleava. It’s hard to think he’s leading this locker room without addressing the man he replaced, and what that man said about the Volunteers’ football program. After all, the two traded places mid-spring.
As Sparks pointed out, Iamaleava’s camp’s hypocrisy was essentially put on blast by Aguilar’s comments. Furthermore, Aguilar’s comments are now more relevant in light of those recent events – those being the firings of UCLA head football coach DeShaun Foster and offensive coordinator Tino Sunseri over the past two weeks.
“Iamaleava’s reason for leaving Tennessee and his current team’s struggles make Aguilar’s observation relevant. He wanted a new NIL deal that paid him more money,” Sparks wrote.
“But after Iamaleava transferred to UCLA and supplanted Aguilar there, the Iamaleava family told FOX Sports personalities Colin Cowherd and Joel Klatt that problems with Tennessee’s offense was a big reason for his departure.
“On Oct. 1, UCLA announced that offensive coordinator Tino Sunseri had left the program. He coached Aguilar in spring practice at UCLA and then tutored Iamaleava in what was billed as an improved offense.
“Instead, UCLA has struggled in virtually every area on offense, and its play-caller is now unemployed.
“Meanwhile, Aguilar is thriving in UT's offense with some tweaks to the scheme that were already in place when Iamaleava was with the Vols in spring practice.”
Aguilar is thriving with an offense that was supposed to struggle with pass-protection and receiving. Nope and no. Tennessee is ranked No. 5 in total yards during the 2025 season so far. Halzle’s offense has plugged in a Sun Belt transfer and continued the success from a long line of talented arms.
It’s hard to imagine Iamaleava not having FOMO right now. Rocky Top is rocking, and not the boat, like the Bruins have been with their coaching staff turnover.