Suggested coaching changes

[Vols1891]

and i’m saying there were two conversations going on and i replied to the wrong thread

Gotcha

 

[LLcoolDave]

LSU DC who was at Missouri prior to last season.

would love to see Blake Baker here as DC. Not sure if Kiffin will keep on him on board when he takes the LSU job but if not, Baker will be a hot commodity.

 

[Allvols98]

Chip Kelly.

Defense. I'm not sure. But we need depth and talent. And speed tons of speed.

 

[bpalmer28]

would love to see Blake Baker here as DC. Not sure if Kiffin will keep on him on board when he takes the LSU job but if not, Baker will be a hot commodity.

Pete Golding or Blake Baker, whichever one Lane doesn’t take

 

[BigOrangeCrush32]

I hate, yes hate, Muschamp...BUT, I would offer him the DC all day, every day.

Call Chip Kelly. Get him in as an Analyst at least, like SABAN would do. Then turn the reigns over to him in 2027.

EDIT: By turning the reigns over to him, I meant the OC position, not HC. But, you have him in your backpocket in case CJH fails again. then he gets those reigns.

 

[Megatron88]

OC - Hugh Freeze
DC - Justin Wilcox or Will Muschamp

 

[Pawleysvol]

Bring in Hugh Freeze or Dan Mullen as OC and give them play calling duties.

Get rid of Tim Banks. Doesn’t matter what anyone thinks of position coaches on D you have to let new DC decide whether or not to bring his own guys.

Hugh Freeze? His offense was hot garbage when he was at Auburn.

 

[sonofUT62]

Better or worse than Tim Banks? They have the #8 scoring defense in the SEC and we are #14

The recommendation was for Freeze not Durkin.

 

[deatojl]

would love to see Blake Baker here as DC. Not sure if Kiffin will keep on him on board when he takes the LSU job but if not, Baker will be a hot commodity.

I have a sneaking suspicion that Ed O will be the DC at LSU under Kiffin.

 

[deatojl]

Pete Golding or Blake Baker, whichever one Lane doesn’t take

Pete Golding isn't an upgrade over Tim Banks. If we were going to bring in someone who gets similar results, you might as well keep what you have for stability.

 

[JMSqb11]

would love to see Blake Baker here as DC. Not sure if Kiffin will keep on him on board when he takes the LSU job but if not, Baker will be a hot commodity.

I doubt Kiffin is going to bring Pete Goulding with him. My guess is he will do everything to keep Baker.

 

[Volpatine]

Has anyone in this thread considered Dale Jones as a DC replacement? Talk about a guy who knows what it means to be a Tennessee Vol! Plus you could retain Garner on the D Line.

 

[JMSqb11]

Has anyone in this thread considered Dale Jones as a DC replacement? Talk about a guy who knows what it means to be a Tennessee Vol! Plus you could retain Garner on the D Line.

I don't think Garner is staying regardless.

 

[Volpatine]

I don't think Garner is staying regardless.

I’m afraid you’re right.

 

[RockyTop603]

Brian Kelly is available for DC job

 

[RockyTop603]

Home Run Hire:

Will Muschamp
Say what you want, Muschamp has elite DC chops. He’s built SEC defenses that terrify people.

More Realistic Hire:

1. Derek Mason
2. Lance Guidry
3. Jim Leonhard

Those 3 give Tennessee an immediate identity, toughness, recruiting bump, and SEC-ready scheme.

 

[JMSqb11]

Home Run Hire:

Will Muschamp
Say what you want, Muschamp has elite DC chops. He’s built SEC defenses that terrify people.

More Realistic Hire:

1. Derek Mason
2. Lance Guidry
3. Jim Leonhard

Those 3 give Tennessee an immediate identity, toughness, recruiting bump, and SEC-ready scheme.

Muschamp is enjoying his sweet retirement.

Derek Mason has sorta fizzled hard. If Lane winds up going to LSU, he is keeping Baker at DC. That means Pete Goulding is available. That's who I would likely target. He's been around a while and could get better players on Defense than what he has at Ole Miss.

 

[tn4elvis]

Better or worse than Tim Banks? They have the #8 scoring defense in the SEC and we are #14

We would have been at or near the top if we hadn’t lost 2 nfl corners before the season started. I don’t know why people on this board continually act like that doesn’t matter. It makes a huge difference .

 

[kpttnvolfan]

how about ex-Northwesterrn coach Pat Fitzgerald as DC if he doesnt land a head coach job

 

[JMSqb11]

how about ex-Northwesterrn coach Pat Fitzgerald as DC if he doesnt land a head coach job

I think he is going to be the dark horse hire at Penn State.

Regardless, I'm over these Big Ten DC's.

 

[Purplehaze26]

We would have been at or near the top if we hadn’t lost 2 nfl corners before the season started. I don’t know why people on this board continually act like that doesn’t matter. It makes a huge difference .

Wasn’t the secondary tthat hurt so much last night. Good coverage made Pavia run 20 times for 160.

 

[m1al]

Freeze is an offensive guy. You want DJ Durkin their DC and so do I.

Auburn is stupid if they don't, at the very least, give Durkin a serious look for the HC position.

 

[GrayWaterCanine]

Has anyone in this thread considered Dale Jones as a DC replacement? Talk about a guy who knows what it means to be a Tennessee Vol! Plus you could retain Garner on the D Line.

He has repeatedly failed, especially as DC.

 

[utVolFanInVA]

We would have been at or near the top if we hadn’t lost 2 nfl corners before the season started. I don’t know why people on this board continually act like that doesn’t matter. It makes a huge difference .

I disagree. In 2025, TN is 15th in SEC Rushing D (212.0 yds/gm) and 9th in SEC Passing D (246.7 yds/gm).

In 2024, McCoy had 26 solo Ts & 0.5 TFL while Gibson had 25 solo Ts & 2.0 TFL. These guys are not run stoppers. They may lower the passing yds/gm but not enough to make a serious impact in my opinion. In 2024, TN was 2nd in SEC Rushing D (103.9 yds/gm).

 

[knox73]

Make Chavis say NO. The man can coach!