Senior Staff Writer/Editor/Host
Jim Knowles wasted little time making his mark on Tennessee’s defense, quickly assembling a staff that is both experienced in his system and highly respected across college football.
Beginning with the cornerbacks, Knowles is bringing in Michael Hunter, who spent the last two seasons at Ohio State and previously worked under Knowles at Oklahoma State. Spencer Holbrook of Lettermen Row (On3) noted that “Hunter is a potential star…recruits consistently mention him.” Early feedback across the industry suggests this is a strong hire for Tennessee.
Coaching safeties — a position Tennessee has needed significant improvement from in recent seasons — Knowles brings in College Football Hall of Famer Anthony Poindexter. Poindexter spent the past five seasons at Penn State, including time working under Knowles. A former NFL player, Poindexter won a Super Bowl with the Baltimore Ravens during the 2000 season. Notably, he chose a position role with the Vols over accepting the defensive coordinator job at Louisville.
Andrew Jackson (no, not the president) will coach the outside linebackers. Jackson previously worked with Knowles at Penn State, and before that served as defensive line coach at West Virginia, where he led the Mountaineers to top-tier Big 12 finishes in run defense, tackles for loss, and sacks.
William Inge returns to coach the inside linebackers, while Rodney Garner is back leading the defensive line. Those two need no introduction to Vol fans.
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