Tennessee HC Josh Heupel and NC State HC Dave Doeren share a unique connection via a former Oklahoma player

On the surface, it may not seem like Tennessee Vols head coach Josh Heupel and NC State Wolfpack head coach Dave Doeren share many connections in college football. 

Heupel and Doeren have never coached together and there's not a lot of overlap between their coaching staffs. 

The head coaches, however, share a unique connection via Oklahoma Sooners offensive coordinator Seth Littrell. 

Doeren noted on Monday, while previewing Saturday's showdown between Tennessee and NC State, that Littrell is one of his "best friends". 

"I've known Josh Heupel a long time," said Doeren. "I have a lot of respect for him, as a coach, as a player...I've known him since I was at Kansas. Our head coach there was his offensive coordinator (Mark Mangino) at Oklahoma. One of my best friends in the business, Seth Littrell, and him were teammates. I've known Josh a long time. I think a lot of him. I'm excited to compete against him." 

Heupel and Littrell were teammates for two seasons at Oklahoma and became close friends. In fact, Heupel was a groomsmen in Littrell's wedding in 2007. 

Oddly enough, shortly after facing Doeren and the Wolfpack in Week 2 of the 2024 college football season, Heupel will face Littrell and the Sooners (in Week 4 in Norman). 

It's said a ton, but college football truly is a small world. It seems like everyone in the sport has crossed paths in some form or fashion.