Josh Heupel and his wife Dawn’s love story started during their time at Aberdeen Central High School.
Tennessee has moved on from starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava, with coach Josh Heupel telling reporters Saturday, April 12, 2025, that “no one is bigger than” the program.
Josh said the tipping point came Friday morning when Iamaleava was a”no-show” for practice between his ongoing NIL contract discussions with the school.
After the Volunteers played their spring game Saturday, Josh said,
“This program has been around for a long time,” “There are a lot of great coaches, a lot of great players who came before that laid the cornerstone pieces, the legacy, the tradition that is Tennessee football. It’s going to be around a long time after I’m gone and after they’re gone.”
Josh Heupel
Iameleava notified offensive coordinator Joey Halzle late Friday night that he was in the process of filling out his paperwork and planned to enter the transfer portal when it opens Wednesday.
Heupel and other staff members had been trying to reach Iamaleava and his representatives to no avail after he missed practice and meetings earlier Friday.
He later said that the program will look to add another quarterback in the spring portal.
Josh And Dawn Heupel Have Been Married For Over A Decade
Joshua Kenneth Heupel and Dawn met when they enrolled at Aberdeen Central High School in 1994. They dated for several years and then married.
They have been married for over a decade, but the exact date has not been revealed. During one of the interviews, when Josh was asked about his relationship, he answered,
” I also want to take this time to thank my wife Daw, who’s been my co-pilot in life She’s probably piloting most of the time when I’m at the office.”
Josh Heupel
During the interview with UCF, Josh said that Dawn was a good athlete and violinist, played basketball and volleyball in college, and got an architecture degree.
According to the source, Dawn Heupel’s estimated net worth is around $1 million as of 2026.
Dawn shared a close bond with her grandfather, George O. Dell, and her grandmother, Maxine Eklen Smith.
George was a charter member of the Machinists Union, the Aberdeen Hubco Federal Credit Union, and the Aberdeen Moose Lodge member for 50 years.
Sadly, Dawn’s grandfather passed away on March 6, 2007, at 87, in the Bethesda Home of Aberdeen.
Josh Attended The Gala Night Event With His Wife And Two Children
In 2014, Dawn and Josh were blessed with their first child, a daughter named Hannah, 12.
After two years, they welcomed their second child, a son named Jace Heupel 10, in 2016.
According to the source, Josh occasionally takes his children to his office.
In October 2024, Josh, his wife, and their two kids attended an event named GalaNight. Josh also shared a glimpse on his official Instagram handle with the caption,
Creating memories with my favorite people at the gala. Grateful for family and the love we share! #GalaNight
Josh Heupel
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Josh Heupel attended Central High School in Aberdeen and played football for the Central Golden Eagles.
- He was born to his father, Ken Heupel, and his mother, Cindy Heupel, in Aberdeen, South Dakota, United States.
- On January 24, 2023, ESPN reported that Tennessee had reached a contract extension agreement to keep Heupel in Knoxville until 2029, with an annual salary of $9 million.
- Josh’s sister, Andrea Heupel, married David Daniel Boren, a Native American businessman and politician.
