Josh Heupel has delivered on his promise of deploying a fast-paced, high-octane offensive attack in Rocky Top. Now entering his fourth year as the Tennessee Volunteers head coach, he’s also assembled quite the coaching staff around him.
Tennessee Volunteer Coaching Staff
Head Coach, Josh Heupel
In 2021, vice chancellor/director of athletics Danny White announced Heupel, whom he worked alongside at UCF, as the next head coach for the Vols. Since then, Heupel earned 2022 SEC Coach of the Year and was a National Coach of the Year finalist twice.
Known as an offensive guru, Heupel trots out offenses marked by incredibly wide splits for the receivers, who often line up over 15 yards from the ball.
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Heupel’s teams have ranked in the top 10 nationally in scoring and total offense five times. He boasts a 55-20 record (.733) as an FBS head coach, ranking among the nation’s best since 2018. He’s led multiple programs to New Year’s Six Bowls, with all six seasons featuring bowl berths.
- 2003-04: Oklahoma (GA)
- 2005: Arizona (TEs)
- 2006-14: Oklahoma (Co-OC/QBs)
- 2015: Utah State (Assistant HC/OC/QBs)
- 2016-17: Missouri (OC/QBs)
- 2018-20: UCF (HC)
- 2021-present: Tennessee (HC)
Defensive Coordinator, Tim Banks
Tim Banks has been a defensive coordinator at the FBS level for over 16 years, dating back to his time with the Central Michigan Chippewas. He doesn’t have much SEC experience but had strong defenses at Penn State and Illinois.
Banks’ defensive style complements Heupel’s offensive style well. He’s aggressive and has his defenses play downhill. Banks worked his way up from a graduate assistant at Bowling Green to his current position at Tennessee, making numerous stops along the way.
- 1996: Bowling Green (GA)
- 1997-98: Ferris State (DBs)
- 1999-2000: Bowling Green (RBs/DBs)
- 2001-2002: Memphis (OLBs/DBs)
- 2003-2006: Maryland (ILBs/DBs)
- 2007-2009: Central Michigan (DC)
- 2010-2011: Cincinnati (Co-DC/DBs)
- 2012-2015: Illinois (DC/secondary)
- 2016-2020: Penn State (Co-DC/safeties)
- 2021-present: Tennessee (DC)
Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks, Joey Halzle
Joey Halzle is a rising star in the coaching world and is a candidate for a larger role at another program in the next hiring cycle. Halzle has been Heupel’s right-hand man at every stop, following him everywhere from Oklahoma to Utah State to Missouri to UCF to Tennessee.
Last year was Halzle’s first as an offensive coordinator, but Heupel remains the team’s main play-caller.
- 2009-2014: Oklahoma (QC/GA)
- 2015: Utah State (OA/Assistant QBs)
- 2016: Missouri (OA/Assistant QBs)
- 2019-2020: UCF (OA/QBs)
- 2021-present: Tennessee (OC/QBs)
Special Teams Coordinator/Outside Linebackers, Mike Ekeler
Mike Ekeler is one of the most well-respected LB coaches in the SEC and reunited with Heupel at Tennessee (both served as GAs at Oklahoma). He’s had several stops around the country and, in more recent years, has picked up some special teams experience.
UT has ranked either first or second in the conference in punt return average in Ekeler’s first three seasons, and the Vols have been first in the league in punt return defense in two out of the three.
- 1999-2001: Omaha (Nebraska) Skutt High School (volunteer coach)
- 2002: Manhattan (Kansas) High School (assistant coach)
- 2003-2004: Oklahoma (GA)
- 2005-2007: LSU (GA/Defensive intern)
- 2008-2010: Nebraska (LBs)
- 2011-2012: Indiana (Co-DC/LBs)
- 2013: USC (LBs)
- 2014-2015: Georgia (ILBs/Special Teams Coordinator)
- 2016: North Texas (DC/LBs)
- 2017-2018: North Carolina (LBs)
- 2019: Kansas (ILBs/Special Teams Coordinator)
- 2020: North Texas (Special Teams Coordinator)
- 2021-present: Tennessee (OLBs/Special Teams Coordinator)
Tight Ends, Alec Abeln
Alec Abeln, a longtime graduate assistant under Josh Heupel, earned his first on-field role as Tennessee’s tight ends coach in 2023. Known for their versatile responsibilities, the Volunteers’ TEs often line up as receivers, demanding a unique blend of blocking and route-running skills.
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Abeln’s familiarity with Heupel’s system and his attention to detail make him well-suited to guide the dynamic position group in a high-octane offense.
Offensive Line, Glen Elarbee
Glen Elarbee has established himself as one of the nation’s premier offensive line coaches. During his tenure at Tennessee, he has consistently sent players to the NFL and produced back-to-back Joe Moore Award semifinalist units.
A native of Georgia and a Middle Tennessee State alumnus, Elarbee began his coaching career with multiple stints at his alma mater.
Running Backs, De’Rail Sims
De’Rail Sims brought over a decade of experience coaching running backs to Knoxville last offseason. After guiding top-25 rushing units during stints at Louisville and Cincinnati, Sims joined Heupel’s staff in February.
In 2023, he guided Cincinnati’s rushing attack to a fifth-place national ranking, fueled by Corey Kiner’s 1,047-yard campaign. Sims’ previous successes include stops at East Carolina, James Madison, and Western Carolina, showcasing a consistent ability to develop standout rushing units at every level.
Wide Receivers, Kelsey Pope
Kelsey Pope spent some time as a receiver in the NFL before moving to the college coaching ranks. He was a passing game coordinator at Garner Webb but became an offensive analyst at Tennessee in 2021.
Yet, after just only one year on the coaching staff, Pope took over as the receivers coach in 2022 and has held the position since.
Defensive Line, Rodney Garner
Rodney Garner has built a 34-year career in the SEC, transitioning from offensive coaching to defensive when he joined Georgia in 1998.
After 15 years with the Bulldogs and another eight at Auburn, Garner returned to Tennessee in 2021, bringing extensive experience to the Volunteers’ defensive line. His deep ties to the SEC and his proven track record make him a valuable asset to Tennessee’s coaching staff.
Linebackers, William Inge
William Inge brings over 20 years of coaching experience to Tennessee, officially joining the staff as the LBs coach in February 2024. His most recent role was co-defensive coordinator with the Washington Huskies, helping guide the team to a College Football Playoff appearance.
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Inge has also held DC roles at Fresno State, Indiana, Buffalo, and Northern Iowa. A former Iowa LB, Inge has coached in 12 postseason games and six conference titles, marking a strong coaching career heading into his 27th season.
Secondary, Willie Martinez
Another coaching veteran on defense, Willie Martinez has been coaching for nearly 40 years. This is Martinez’s second stint in Rocky Top, as he was the assistant head coach under Butch Jones. Martinez was a longtime DC at Georgia and has coached secondary defenders since 1990.
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