Jameson Williams Firmly In Play For Browns
Just over two weeks after Tennessee receiver’s coach Kodi Burns left Knoxville for the same position with the New Orleans Saints, head coach Josh Heupel named Kelsey Pope as Burns’ predecessor.
Pope worked closely with Tennessee’s receivers last season as he served an an off field, offensive analyst.
“Kelsey was a natural fit for this role and someone our players trust and have the utmost respect for,” Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel said. “He has a clear understanding of what it takes for our wide receivers to be successful in this offense. He knows how to connect with people and cultivate relationships, and he’s going to be a tireless recruiter.”
Pope played receiver at the FCS level, becoming Samford University’s all-time reception leader (250) from 2010-13. The 6-foot receiver totaled 2,385 yards and 13 touchdowns in his college career.
The Sylacauga, Alabama native has slowly moved his way up the coaching ranks. Pope’s coaching career started at Ohio Northern where he spent a season as running back’s coach before becoming assistant receiver’s coach at Division II Shorter University in Georgia.
From there, Pope became the receiver’s coach at Tennessee Tech for a season before becoming Gardner Webb’s receiver’s coach and joining Heupel’s staff at Tennessee ahead of the 2021 season.
“I am excited to help continue the momentum we established last season,” Pope said. “I have seen firsthand just how much Tennessee football means to people year-round. It’s a special place, and the players in our locker room are eager to take the next step in their development. They have worked extremely hard thus far this offseason. I can’t wait until the start of spring practice, and I look forward to making an impact in recruiting. I am grateful to Coach Heupel for this opportunity.”
Under the guidance of Heupel, Burns and Pope, Tennessee’s receivers had breakout seasons. Mississippi State transfer JaVonta Payton had the best season of his career, Velus Jones Jr’s senior year production was greater than the rest of his career combined and Cedric Tillman became the ninth Tennessee receiver to tally 1,000 yards in a season.
Tennessee’s receiver’s swarmed Pope when Heupel announced Pope was their new position coach.
Introducing your new Wide Receivers coach…@CoachKelseyPope #GBO pic.twitter.com/mcin2h21Rq
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) March 7, 2022
