Tennessee defensive line coach Jimmy Brumbaugh has been relieved of his duties, according to a report from Austin Price of Volquest.com.
Brumbaugh’s firing comes just four games into his tenure with the Vols. Head coach Jeremy Pruitt hired Brumbaugh to his third-year staff following the departure of Tracy Rocker who is now at South Carolina in the same role.
Tennessee’s defensive line has struggled through four games this season. The Vols are allowing 148.75 rushing yards per game, eighth most in the SEC.
Brumbaugh signed a two-year contract with a base salary of $650,000. According to VolQuest, the buyout consists of the remaining base salary, but would be mitigated by any potential salary he would make at a new job.
He previously served as Colorado’s defensive line coach the past two years, joining Mel Tucker’s staff when he was hired as the Buffaloes’ head coach. Prior to that, he was a co-defensive coordinator at Maryland as well as their defensive line coach for two seasons. He’s also coached defensive lines at Kentucky (2013-16), Syracuse (2010-11), and Louisiana Tech (2008-09). He’s also coached at Jacksonville State, East Mississippi Community College, and Chattanooga.
The 43-year-old coach is credited with having developed several future NFL draft picks along the defensive line. At Kentucky, he coached Bud Dupree and helped turn him into a first-round draft pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers. He also coached Za’Darius Smith at UK, who was selected in the fourth round of the 2015 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Ravens.
All in all, four of Brumbaugh’s defensive linemen earned All-SEC honors while at Kentucky.
While at Syracuse, Brumbaugh coached Chandler Jones to All-Big East honors, and Jones was taken No. 21 overall in the first round by the New England Patriots in the 2012 NFL Draft.
Brumbaugh coached under Les Miles at LSU as a strength and conditioning coach from 2006-07. There, he helped the Tigers win a national title.
As a player, Brumbaugh was a starting defensive lineman at Auburn. The Gainesville, Florida native played for the Tigers from 1995-99 and started 44 games, recording 291 tackles and 15 sacks. He was a Freshman All-SEC selection in 1995 and was voted a Second Team All-SEC lineman in 1996 and a First Team All-SEC performer in 1997.
One Response
The VOLS still haven’t learned that the DE MUST “stay home” vs slant in to go after the runner! I would’ve thougt by now that one principle could’ve been taught!