Tennessee football filled its two open positions on its coaching staff on Monday afternoon. Josh Heupel hired Cincinnati running backs coach De’Rail Sims to replace Jerry Mack and Washington co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach William Inge to replace Brian-Jean Mary.
Not only is Inge a well respected veteran defensive assistant and a strong hire for the Vols, but it also hurts Alabama.
Former Washington head coach Kalen Deboer was set to bring Inge with him from Washington to Alabama as the Crimson Tide’s new outside linebackers coach. Instead, the 50-year old assistant coach decides to join Heupel’s staff in Knoxville.
It didn’t take DeBoer and Alabama long to find Inge’s replacement, hiring Baylor linebacker coach Christian Robinson. Robinson has SEC experience after previously serving as a defensive assistant at Florida, Ole Miss and Auburn.
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Inge replaces inside linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary on the Vols’ staff after Jean-Mary left Tennessee for Michigan earlier this month.
Tennessee’s newest defensive assistant has extensive coaching experience and has served stints at Northern Iowa, Colorado, San Diego State, Cincinnati, Buffalo, the Buffalo Bills, Indiana, Fresno State and Washington. Inge longest coaching stint was in Indiana where he spent seven years on the Hoosiers’ staff.
Last season, Inge was the co-defensive coordinator for a Washington team that recorded a 14-1 record and lost in the College Football Playoff National Championship.
Tennessee and Inge will face Alabama and DeBoer in Knoxville on Oct. 19 in Knoxville for the new Alabama coach’s first taste of the Third Saturday in October rivalry.
Inge inherits a strong but young Tennessee inside linebacker unit. The Vols return super senior Keenan Pili but also has a number of young linebackers like Elijah Herring, Arion Carter, Jeremiah Telander and freshman Edwin Spillman.
