In a stunning development that’s sent shockwaves across the college football world, Tennessee Volunteers offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Joey Halzle has turned down a lucrative \$2 million per year offer from the LSU Tigers, electing instead to remain in Knoxville and continue building what he believes could be one of the most explosive programs in the country.
The offer, according to sources close to both programs, would have made Halzle one of the highest-paid coordinators in college football. LSU, looking to make a bold offensive shift after internal shakeups and a frustrating end to their 2024 campaign, pursued Halzle aggressively, courting him with a deal that included not only a massive salary bump but significant control over the offense, autonomy in personnel decisions, and a fast track to head coaching candidacy in the near future.
Halzle, just 39 years old, was reportedly intrigued by the challenge and the respect that came with such an offer from one of the SEC’s most tradition-rich powerhouses. But in the end, he chose stability over stardom, loyalty over limelight, and unfinished business over a new beginning.
“I’m not going anywhere,” Halzle told Tennessee players in a closed-door meeting late Monday evening. “We started something special here, and I’m not leaving until we finish what we came to do.”
That declaration was met with roaring applause from the team, many of whom credit Halzle with not only reviving Tennessee’s long-dormant offense but also with instilling a culture of belief, precision, and aggression that has redefined the program’s identity since 2021. Under his guidance, the Vols have ranked near the top nationally in offensive production, quarterback efficiency, and explosive plays.
It’s no secret that LSU has been in a precarious position since their 2019 national title run. The departure of Joe Brady and Ed Orgeron, followed by the inconsistent tenures of various offensive staffers, has led to a carousel of systems, philosophies, and disappointments. The Tigers’ recent offensive coordinator vacancy came after yet another internal shakeup, and they identified Halzle as their top choice from day one.
LSU reportedly presented a five-year deal worth \$2 million annually, a private jet for recruiting travel, and full authority to hire his own offensive assistants. The offer was made in-person in Baton Rouge last week following an aggressive round of negotiations led by head coach Brian Kelly and athletic director Scott Woodward. Kelly viewed Halzle not only as a short-term fix but a long-term investment—potentially even a coach-in-waiting if future transitions arose.
But Halzle, a former Oklahoma quarterback who’s followed Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel through multiple coaching stops including UCF and Missouri, said the choice was ultimately about trust and purpose.
“I’ve been with Coach Heupel for more than a decade,” Halzle reportedly told Tennessee administrators. “We believe in what we’re building. You don’t walk away from that just for a paycheck.”
Halzle’s rise through the coaching ranks has been methodical, but powerful. After initially joining Heupel’s staff as a quality control assistant at Oklahoma, Halzle followed him to Utah State, Missouri, and UCF before landing in Knoxville. When Heupel became Tennessee’s head coach in 2021, Halzle came aboard as quarterbacks coach and immediately helped transform the Vols’ offense into a national force. With the help of Halzle’s schematic expertise and quarterback development, Hendon Hooker became a Heisman contender, and Joe Milton III finished his career with one of the most efficient bowl game performances in program history.
In January 2023, Halzle was promoted to offensive coordinator following Alex Golesh’s departure to South Florida. Since then, Tennessee’s offense has continued to break records, including leading the SEC in total yards, passing touchdowns, and red zone efficiency in 2024.
LSU’s offer—an eye-popping number by any measure—was a testament to how highly regarded Halzle has become in coaching circles. Several NFL scouts have even suggested that Halzle is already on radars at the next level due to his aggressive passing concepts, fast-tempo pacing, and adaptability to personnel.
But while many young coaches would have seen LSU as a golden ticket, Halzle’s decision was deeply rooted in loyalty, continuity, and vision.
“There’s nothing quite like Knoxville on a Saturday,” he said in a short statement released Tuesday morning. “We’ve got the best fans, the best culture, and the most explosive offense in the country. And we’re just getting started.”
Tennessee athletic director Danny White was reportedly aware of the LSU courtship early on and had several discussions with Halzle in recent days. While White did not need to restructure Halzle’s existing contract as part of the retention, sources say Tennessee is preparing a “substantial raise and extension” in the coming weeks to reward Halzle for his loyalty and performance.
“It’s hard to put into words what Joey means to this program,” White said in a prepared statement. “He’s a key architect of our identity and a brilliant mind in every sense. We’re incredibly fortunate to have him.”
The news comes as a huge boost for Tennessee as the Vols enter a pivotal 2025 campaign. With five-star quarterback recruit Noah Carter arriving on campus and a stacked receiver corps returning, expectations are sky-high. Halzle’s presence ensures system continuity, player confidence, and recruiting momentum at a time when the Vols are pushing to return to the College Football Playoff for the first time since the BCS era.
Halzle’s decision to stay also sends a message—not just to the SEC but to all of college football. In an era where coaching loyalty often takes a backseat to cash and quick climbs, Halzle’s refusal of LSU’s monster offer is a rare instance of principle taking precedence.
Former Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker reacted on social media with a simple post: “Real one. Vol for life.” Dozens of former players, staff, and alumni followed suit, praising Halzle’s integrity and thanking him for believing in the program.
While LSU will now have to turn elsewhere in their offensive coordinator search, the Tigers’ aggressive pursuit of Halzle won’t soon be forgotten. And neither will his answer.
For Tennessee fans, the move only reinforces what they’ve suspected for some time: that the Vols are no longer a stepping stone program, but a destination. Joey Halzle staying put—despite the money, the pressure, the opportunity—is the latest sign that Knoxville has become a place where top coaches want to build, not bounce.
In today’s college football landscape, that’s worth more than any paycheck.
