Defensive staff set

#1

golfballvol

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#1
So right now defensive staff is:
Rodney Garner - D Line
Andrew Jackson - Edge
William Inge - Linebackers
Michael Hunter Jr. - Cornerbacks
Anthony Poindexter - Safeties

Chop Harvin - either gone or demoted to analyst.

Does this mean we’re losing an offensive coach too? Maybe Alec Abelin?

Only way we could add one of these more as an on field coach is if we get rid of an offensive coach or special teams coordinator
 
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#2
#2
So right now defensive staff is:
Rodney Garner - D Line
William Inge - Linebackers
Michael Hunter Jr. - Cornerbacks
Anthony Poindexter - Safeties

Andrew Jackson - analyst
Chop Harvin - either gone or demoted to analyst.

Only way we could add one of these more as an on field coach is if we get rid of an offensive coach or special teams coordinator
Garner and Inge have both been reported as retained
 
#4
#4
Andrew Jackson will be on field coach, likely working with DE and I was told is primary reason along with UT tradition & potential to spend NIL $ that there is outside shot to get Chaz Coleman.

Was also told that Knowles is a slight negative to Coleman getting here as Chaz played less snaps after Franklin was fired primarily because of Knowles not being happy with his mental focus & practice effort. I am told it isn't a negative relationship but young expected to be stars can struggle with tough love and that one thing Knowles did not like at PSU was that there was a couple instances of promised playtime time from Franklin
 
#5
#5
A couple other things of interest...

There were some cultural things that weren't the best fit at PSU, Knowles expressed feelings UT situation has much better alignment, especially with regard to amount of control he was given defensively, how CJH wasnts to communicate to players & families, and to philosophy/vision of the defense complimenting offense.

Two thing he said may disappoint Vols fan.

He said JK will tend to be very vanilla against bad teams really focusing the team on execution of tenets of the defense versus attacking with more advance scheme/blitz. This could lead to defense not looking as good against teams they have clear physical advantage over

Also that Jim Knowles isn't as aggressive as many people think, both in terms of blitz percentages & also in terms of what he ask the DL & DE positions to do. It isn't just go rush/attack almost every play like the Banks defense. He described it as a controlled & timely aggressiveness
 
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#6
#6
A couple other things of interest...

There were some cultural things that weren't the best fit at PSU, Knowles expressed feelings UT situation has much better alignment, especially with regard to amount of control he was given defensively, how CJH wasnts to communicate to players & families, and to philosophy/vision of the defense complimenting offense.

Two thing he said may disappoint Vols fan.

He said JK will tend to be very vanilla against bad teams really focusing the team on execution of tenets of the defense versus attacking with more advance scheme/blitz. This could lead to defense not looking as good against teams they have clear physical advantage over

Also that Jim Knowles isn't as aggressive as many people think, both in terms of blitz percentages & also in terms of what he ask the DL & DE positions to do. It isn't just ho rush/attack almost every play like the Banks defense. He described it as a controlled & timely aggressiveness
Honestly if we can do fundamental things like tackle better it’s a step in right direction
 
#7
#7
A couple other things of interest...

There were some cultural things that weren't the best fit at PSU, Knowles expressed feelings UT situation has much better alignment, especially with regard to amount of control he was given defensively, how CJH wasnts to communicate to players & families, and to philosophy/vision of the defense complimenting offense.

Two thing he said may disappoint Vols fan.

He said JK will tend to be very vanilla against bad teams really focusing the team on execution of tenets of the defense versus attacking with more advance scheme/blitz. This could lead to defense not looking as good against teams they have clear physical advantage over

Also that Jim Knowles isn't as aggressive as many people think, both in terms of blitz percentages & also in terms of what he ask the DL & DE positions to do. It isn't just ho rush/attack almost every play like the Banks defense. He described it as a controlled & timely aggressiveness
Predictably risky<Predictable execution
 
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#9
#9
A couple other things of interest...

There were some cultural things that weren't the best fit at PSU, Knowles expressed feelings UT situation has much better alignment, especially with regard to amount of control he was given defensively, how CJH wasnts to communicate to players & families, and to philosophy/vision of the defense complimenting offense.

Two thing he said may disappoint Vols fan.

He said JK will tend to be very vanilla against bad teams really focusing the team on execution of tenets of the defense versus attacking with more advance scheme/blitz. This could lead to defense not looking as good against teams they have clear physical advantage over

Also that Jim Knowles isn't as aggressive as many people think, both in terms of blitz percentages & also in terms of what he ask the DL & DE positions to do. It isn't just ho rush/attack almost every play like the Banks defense. He described it as a controlled & timely aggressiveness
I have no issue with being vanilla against inferior opponents. No sense in shooting your bullets on teams you most likely beat anyway. As long as we play better fundamentally and don't get completely dismantled, I can handle not being too aggressive. It's about winning, so that will be the ultimate litmus test.
 
#12
#12
What is everybody's take on Inge? A great recruiter? Player's Coach? Great Teacher?

Good news without biltz more pressure on CBs and coverage? So Knowles will recruit/buy to fit?
Banks was relying more blitzing and I feel players got too comfortable with it and lost the 1 on 1 battles.

So timely execution of blitz packages with Alpha's in the secondary is the next move.
This first year of Knowles will be baptism by fire and a learning experience for all (fans).
Should be a learning experience for all if we get the right secondary recruits into play.
 
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#13
#13
Former PSU players AJ Harris, Elliot Washington expected to end up at UT. Obviously with NIL things can change.

S King Mack, LB Keon Wylie, DE Zuriah Fisher (needs approval on medical redshirt to have eligibility), and Xavier Gilliam are possibilities. Also a couple other PSU guys still meeting with new staff & undecided on portal
 
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#14
#14
What is everybody's take on Inge? A great recruiter? Player's Coach? Great Teacher?

Good news without biltz more pressure on CBs and coverage? So Knowles will recruit/buy to fit?
Banks was relying more blitzing and I feel players got too comfortable with it and lost the 1 on 1 battles.

So timely execution of blitz packages with Alpha's in the secondary is the next move.
This first year of Knowles will be baptism by fire and a learning experience for all (fans).
Should be a learning experience for all if we get the right secondary recruits into play.
Linebackers (along with safeties) were a big problem. We know Carter's injuries slowed him considerably. I'm not sure what to make of Inge. I've heard he's a recruiter but not much of coach. There certainly was no "bump" in the defensive performance under him vs Illinois, but I don't know if that means much.
 
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#19
#19
Ive read Knowles likes to coach and is a good LB coach...it might be a situation where inge is there for recruitment/running player drills in practice and jim oversees, teaches and coaches them.
I have the feeling you are right. In regards, to Inge calling the game, I thought it would be a disaster in wait. I don't know if it was his play calling or a lack of effort.

Since 2000, our Vol teams have never been good at containing a QB or a QB run. We got beat by LSU in Conference Championship 2007 by a running QB. It has been exploited over the years and yes it is going to happen 1-3 times a game, but with Tennessee it still happens 5-7 times and sometimes against weak components. I would like to see improvement in this area. This has been a blind spot on the defense for years.
 
#20
#20
If what TOS is saying, that the Dis going to be opposite, that should mean we are going to stop other teams from scoring. That means improvement. That means wins.
 
#22
#22
Also expected CJ Hicks from OSU to have interest in Vols. A gifted athlete that never quite panned out at OSU, and spot last year trying to switch from LB to DE. It likely comes down to Nil $ as this is last chance to earn as NFL is unlikely whether he is wanting guarantee to start versus willing to conpete. He did have best production under Knowles
 
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#24
#24
Volquest sources say Andrew Jackson will coach the Edge position. Make of this what you will.
does this mean we’re losing an offensive on field coach or special teams? Maybe Alec Abelin or Evan Crabtree? Thought we could only have 10 on field assistants.

Halzle - OC-QB
Knowles - DC
Sims - RB
Pope - WR
Abelin - TE
Elarbee - OL
Garner - DL
Jackson - Edge
Inge - LB
Hunter - CB
Poindexter - S
Crabtree - ST

That’s 12 people. How many are we allowed?
 
#25
#25
Inge would’ve been part of Bama’s staff if we hadn’t stole him. I think it’s possible that Banks system was holding him back some. We also have a lack of speed at the position.
I agree.2 years ago he was co-defensive coordinator in the national championship game.He didn’t just stumble here and forget how to coach.
 

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