Tennessee head football coach Josh Heupel met with the media on Monday morning to introduce his defensive coaching staff. After Heupel introduced his coaches, defensive coordinator Tim Banks, defensive line coach Rodney Garner, outside linebackers coach and special teams coordinator Mike Ekeler, inside linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary and defensive backs coach Willie Martinez each spoke with the media.
Banks was the first to speak, as he answered questions about what his defense will look like as defensive coordinator, the status of Henry To’o To’o and Quavaris Crouch, how he’ll assist Martinez in coaching the secondary, getting to know his personnel, and much more. Here’s everything Banks had to say:
Garner spoke about his decision to come to Tennessee and how his career is coming full-circle, why players love playing for him, using his job as his ministry, what his defensive line group looks like, the type of defensive lineman he looks for when evaluating prospects and much more. Here’s everything Garner said:
Ekeler told an amazing story about trying to run a marathon following a Nebraska spring practice, whether or not he got into a fight with Jeremy Pruitt while at Georgia, if starting players will be used on special teams, coaching outside linebackers and much more. Here’s everything Ekeler said:
Jean-Mary spoke about his conversations with To’o To’o and Crouch, as well as his decision to join Heupel in Knoxville. He also spoke about what he’s seen from Tennessee’s linebackers so far, working with Charlie Strong, how he would describe the roles and responsibilities of middle linebackers in this defense and much more. Here’s everything Jean-Mary had to say:
Martinez discussed his return to Rocky Top for a second coaching stint, players that are still in Knoxville that he recruited to Tennessee, his current crop of defensive backs, how having past experience at Tennessee is an advantage in recruiting and coaching, and much more. Here’s everything Martinez had to say:
