Tennessee Football Strengthens Defensive Coaching Staff with New Additions
Tennessee football is enhancing its defensive coaching staff for the 2026 season under new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles. Head coach Josh Heupel recently announced the hiring of three assistant coaches, bolstering a unit with extensive experience.
Tennessee Football Defensive Staff Additions
- Anthony Poindexter – Co-defensive coordinator and secondary coach.
- Andrew Jackson – LEOs coach.
- Michael Hunter Jr. – Cornerbacks coach.
Alongside these new hires, defensive line coach Rodney Garner and linebackers coach William Inge will remain on staff for the upcoming season. The collective experience of the 2026 defensive staff totals 101 years, with a track record of coaching over 70 NFL Draft picks.
Coaching Experience and Achievements
All six coaches have significant backgrounds, having participated in various prestigious college football tournaments, including the College Football Playoff and New Year’s Six games. Since January 2024, five coaches have engaged in the College Football Playoff competitions.
Head coach Heupel expressed enthusiasm about the team’s composition. He emphasized their proficiency in recruiting, player development, and coaching. The goal is to restore Tennessee’s defensive standards under Knowles’ leadership.
Overview of the New Coaches
Anthony Poindexter
Poindexter is a distinguished 2020 College Football Hall of Fame inductee and Super Bowl champion. Prior to joining Tennessee, he served as the co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach at Penn State, where he coached four safeties drafted into the NFL. With a coaching career spanning 23 years, Poindexter has a proven record, including a 2023 season where his team ranked second nationally in total defense.
Andrew Jackson
Jackson brings 13 years of coaching experience, most recently serving at Penn State. He previously coached the defensive line at West Virginia, leading them to top defensive statistics. He has also been associated with several programs, consistently demonstrating success in player development, particularly for NFL hopefuls.
Michael Hunter Jr.
Hunter joins the Volunteers after working with Ohio State’s cornerbacks, participating in multiple College Football Playoffs. His coaching resume includes leading a unit that was instrumental in allowing the fewest points per game nationally in 2025. He aims to leverage his experience to further enhance Tennessee’s secondary.
Future Outlook
As these coaches integrate into the program, they aim to cultivate a championship culture. Their combined expertise will play a crucial role in elevating Tennessee football’s performance on the field. Heupel, Knowles, and the new staff are committed to building strong relationships with current players and recruits.
With the 2026 season on the horizon, the defensive staff at Tennessee is poised for success, leveraging their robust backgrounds and strategic coaching abilities to foster a formidable defense.
