Heupel Names Linebackers Coach

Brian Jean-Mary, a 21-year coaching veteran who spent the 2020 season as linebackers coach at Michigan, has been named Tennessee's new linebackers coach, head coach Josh Heupel officially announced on Thursday.

"Brian is a great fit on our defensive staff," Heupel said. "He has coached defenses that are known for creating negative plays and forcing turnovers. He brings energy, experience and extensive success as a recruiter to Tennessee. Our student-athletes will enjoy playing for him, and we are excited to officially welcome him to Knoxville."

Prior to Michigan, Jean-Mary served on the defensive staffs at Louisville (2010-13) as assistant head coach/linebackers coach, then at Texas (2014-16) as linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator. He was the assistant head coach, defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at USF from 2017-19.

Jean-Mary, a native of Apopka, Florida, has been a part of four conference championships and 14 bowl games as a coach dating back to his graduate assistant start at Louisville in 2000. As a recruiter, Jean-Mary helped produce a trio of top-15 signing classes at Texas, improving from 15th in 2014 to seventh in 2015 and eighth in 2016. He also had a top-30 class at Louisville in 2011 (27th) and the nation's 15th-best class at Georgia Tech in 2007.

Jean-Mary's defenses were consistently among the nation's best in turnovers created, tackles for loss and pass defense at USF. In his first year, the Bulls were top 25 nationally in six categories, including sacks per game (3.0, 11th) and interceptions (20, second). USF led The American Conference in total defense (359.8) and scoring defense (21.5 points per game), improving from 120th in total defense and 92nd in scoring defense to 37th and 41st, respectively, after Jean-Mary's arrival. Defensive tackle Deadrin Senat was one of five all-conference defenders before being drafted in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons.

USF forced 69 turnovers across Jean-Mary's three seasons and ranked top 30 in the FBS in that area twice. The Bulls also ranked top five in tackles for loss per game twice (8.4 and 8.3 per game in 2017, '19), while ranking No. 4 in red zone defense in 2019 (67.4 percent).

During his time as the linebackers coach at Texas, Jean-Mary developed four All-Big 12 players and an All-American in Jordan Hicks (2014). Texas was top 25 nationally in six categories in 2014, including sacks (11th). The Longhorns averaged more than 3.0 sacks per game in all three years Jean-Mary was at Texas, ranking top-five nationally in his last two seasons.

Texas also led the nation in recovered fumbles (21) in 2014 and ranked 11th in 2015 (12). Hicks was selected in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft, and Jean-Mary's former players Lorenzo Mauldin and Deiontrez Mount (from his days at Louisville) were also chosen.

Before Texas, Jean-Mary worked as assistant head coach and linebackers coach at Louisville where the Cardinals won 37 games and two Big East Championships (2011, '12) across four seasons. UL compiled a 3-1 bowl game record culminating with a victory over No. 4 Florida in the 2013 Sugar Bowl. Louisville's .885 win percentage (23-3) over the 2012-13 seasons was the fourth-best mark in the country during that time.

Jean-Mary spent six seasons coaching linebackers at Georgia Tech from 2004-09, guiding the defense to top 30 seasons in rushing defense, scoring defense and total defense in five of his six years on staff. The Yellow Jackets led the nation in sacks and ranked second in tackles for loss in 2007 and finished top 20 in both categories the next season as well. In 2009, Georgia Tech went 11-3 with an ACC Championship and went on to appear in the 2010 FedEx Orange Bowl. Linebacker Gerris Wilkinson (2005) and Philip Wheeler (2008) were third-round NFL Draft picks under Jean-Mary.

Jean-Mary got started as a graduate assistant on the strength and conditioning staff at Louisville in 2000 before spending two seasons under Lou Holtz at South Carolina where he was a defensive graduate assistant coach (2001-02). He then got his first full-time coaching job at North Alabama (2003) where he helped the Lions go 13-2, win the Gulf South Conference Championship and clinch a berth in the semifinals of the 2003 NCAA Division II playoffs while allowing 14.1 points per game (sixth nationally).

Jean-Mary earned his bachelor's degree in political science from Appalachian State in 1998. He played linebacker for the Mountaineers from 1993-97. He and his wife, Jerilyn Ardis, have two daughters, Brooke and Brittany.

College football coaching carousel: Tracker, grades, analysis on all 2020-21 hires and coach changes

Coaches get hired to be fired. Hopefully, they win a few games in between. But let's face it, they usually don't win enough. That's just speaking on average. It's also why every winter is filled with college football coaches losing jobs, moving on to other opportunities and trying on new polo shirts and hats.

It's a dizzying process and one that can be hard for the average fan to follow. After all, why should you have to keep track of every single move that's being made? Lucky for you, we here at this blog do have the time. We are tracking every hiring and firing in the 2020 coaching carousel and not only breaking each down but providing a grade for how every school performed in its decision making.

Since the carousel is in full swing with the 2020 regular season about to come to a close, let's take a look at what we know so far. Below you will find your one-stop shop for all of your coaching hire needs. (Well, except those polos.)

CENTRAL FLORIDA

IN: Gus Malzahn

OUT: Josh Heupel

This is a tremendous hire for the Knights.  Malzahn's proven track record of success combined with the speed of the athletes in central and south Florida should put the Knights back into a New Year's Six bowl game in a hurry.

GRADE:A+

TENNESSEE

IN: Josh Heupel

OUT: Jeremy Pruitt

Heupel is the perfect hire at the perfect time for Tennessee.  New AD Danny White committed to building a program that is sustainable over time, and Heupel's offensive prowess and familiarity with White means that he will make Tennessee what it needs to be... a long-term offensive force.

GRADE: A-

BOISE STATE

IN: Andy Avalos

OUT: Bryan Harsin

Avalos returns home to his alma mater after spending two years as defensive coordinator on Mario Cristobal's staff at Oregon.  He doesn't have any experience as a college head coach, but he knows the Boise State landscape and culture of competition that has led to so much success.

GRADE: B+

MARSHALL

IN: Charles Huff

OUT: Doc Holliday

Huff comes to the Thundering Herd after a successful stint on Nick Saban's staff at Alabama.  It's his first head coaching job, so there will be a learning curve.  But Huff's ability to recruit should replinish the roster in a hurry.

GRADE: B

TEXAS

IN: Steve Sarkisian

OUT: Tom Herman

Sarkisian will take over the Longhorns after serving as Alabama's offensive coordinator for two seasons.  The former USC and Washington coach has a tremendous mind for offensive football, develops quarterbacks and has had two seasons learning from the best coach of all time.  He will bring Texas "back."

GRADE: A

AUBURN

IN: Bryan Harsin

OUT: Gus Malzahn

Harsin was 69-19 in seven seasons at Boise State.  He is a relative outsider to the SEC, so hiring a staff will be a big key to his success.  If he lures assistants with deep recruiting ties, this could turn out to be one of the best hires of the offseason.

GRADE: B+

ARIZONA

IN: Jedd Fisch

OUT: Kevin Sumlin

After working all over the NFL and college football, the 44-year-old Fisch gets his first head coaching opportunity.  He is regarded as a quality offensive mind.  His lack of head coaching experience -- two games as UCLA's interim -- means that Wildcat fans will have to be patient.

GRADE: B-

LOUISIANA-MONROE

IN: Terry Bowden

OUT: Matt Viator

Two years after getting fired at Akron, Bowden is back in the game.  The 64-year-old recently did a stint at Clemson as a graduate assistant.  He only went to two bowl games in seven years with the Zips, and the competition is much tougher in the Sun Belt.

GRADE: C

VANDERBILT

IN: Clark Lea

OUT: Derek Mason

Lea spent the last four seasons on Notre Dame's staff, and the last three seasons as it's defensive coordinator.  He is a former Vandy player who knows the challenges that the school faces.

GRADE: B

ILLINOIS

IN: Bret Bielema

OUT: Lovie Smith

Bielema returns to the Big Ten after a stint as an NFL assistant and should fit well with the program.  Smith recruited well enough for Bielema to hit the ground running with his old-school style.

GRADE: B+

ARKANSAS STATE

IN: Butch Jones

OUT: Blake Anderson

Jones was a solid Group of Five coach at Central Michigan and Cincinnati, but drove Tennessee into the ground.  The real Butch Jones coached on Rocky Top, and a brief stint as Nick Saban's intern won't change him.

GRADE: F

SOUTH ALABAMA

IN: Kane Wommack

OUT: Steve Campbell

Wommack is a former player at Arkansas at Southern Miss.  The 33-year-old is now the youngest FBS coach, and will bring well-documented recruiting prowess to a Group of Five program with a lot of potential.

GRADE: B+

UTAH STATE

IN: Blake Anderson

OUT: Gary Andersen

The former Arkansas State coach was wildly successful in Jonesboro, going 51-37 in seven seasons, including two Sun Belt titles.  His success with a wide open offense should play well with an Aggies program that needs a spark.

GRADE: A-

SOUTH CAROLINA

IN: Shane Beamer

OUT: Will Muschamp

This hire had been rumored for a while.  It's a risk for South Carolina to go with a coordinator, but he's been with the Gamecocks before.  Beamer is also a relentless recruiter and well-respected within the coaching community.  South Carolina will have to be patient with Beamer as he jumps in the deep end of the pool as a first-time coach in the SEC.

GRADE: B-

SOUTHERN MISS

IN: Will Hall

OUT: Jay Hopson

Hall comes from the Willie Fritz school of spread option football, which should work well at a school that has a strong talent base to recruit from.  He has head coaching experience at West Alabama and West Georgia, so Golden Eagles fans shouldn't have to worry about the responsibilities being too big for Hall to handle early in his career.

GRADE: B+

Heupel Adds To Defensive Staff

Southeastern Conference veterans Rodney Garner and Willie Martinez, who own a combined 45 years of experience in the league and five SEC championships, have been named to Tennessee football's defensive staff, head coach Josh Heupel announced on Friday.

Garner will coach the defensive line, while Martinez will serve as secondary coach. Both return to Knoxville after previous successful stints at UT. They coached on Georgia's staff together from 2001-09.

"Bringing Coach Garner and Coach Martinez back to Tennessee is an important step for our program," Heupel said. "They understand what it takes to build an elite defense in the SEC and have developed numerous NFL Draft picks through the years. They also coached and mentored many student-athletes on some of Tennessee's most successful teams. We are thrilled to welcome them back to Knoxville, and we know they will make a significant impact on our program once again."

Garner returns to Tennessee after previously serving as the associate head coach and defensive line coach at Auburn the past eight seasons (2013-20). During his first year with the Tigers, Auburn won the 2013 SEC Championship and reached the BCS Championship Game. A total of three defensive linemen mentored by Garner were drafted following that season, including first-rounder Dee Ford.

In 2019, Auburn's defense ranked eighth nationally in both redzone and third-down defense, allowing only 19.5 points per game against a schedule that featured six 11-win opponents. Garner coached consensus All-America defensive tackle Derrick Brown, who won the Lott IMPACT Trophy and was the No. 7 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft by the Carolina Panthers. Meanwhile, second-team All-American Marlon Davidson was taken in the second round by the Atlanta Falcons.

Prior to Auburn, Garner spent 15 seasons at Georgia as the Bulldogs posted 117 victories, two SEC Championships, five SEC Eastern Division titles, seven bowl wins and six top-10 finishes, including No. 2 in 2007 and No. 3 in 2002. He added the title of assistant head coach in 2005 after serving as defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator since January 1998.

During Garner's two seasons at Tennessee as the tight ends and offensive tackles coach from 1996-97, the Volunteers tallied a combined 21 wins and were 14-2 in SEC play, while claiming the 1997 SEC Championship.

Martinez reunites with Heupel after serving as the assistant head coach and secondary coach at UCF the past three seasons. Martinez has coached in 17 bowl games, won six conference championships and was a national championship player at Miami in 1983.

During his first season in Orlando, the Knights won the American Athletic Conference and earned a berth to the 2019 Fiesta Bowl. UCF's defense allowed just 22.7 points per game and ranked sixth in the nation with 28 forced turnovers. The Knights racked up 8.2 tackles for loss per game -- fifth most in the nation -- and notched 29 sacks.

Martinez coached cornerbacks at Cincinnati in 2017 and played a key role in Tennessee's success from 2014-16. As assistant head coach and secondary coach at UT for four seasons, the Vols culminated back-to-back nine-win seasons with wins in the 2016 Outback Bowl and 2016 Music City Bowl. He mentored a pair of UT All-Americans in Evan Berry and Cameron Sutton in 2015.

Martinez also enjoyed significant success at stops at Oklahoma and Georgia. He was the secondary coach for the Sooners from 2010-11 and served on Georgia's staff from 2001-09, including the last five seasons as defensive coordinator and secondary coach.

During his two seasons at Oklahoma, Martinez helped the Sooners to a 23-5 record and the 2010 Big 12 Conference championship. His time at Georgia saw the Bulldogs claim 90 victories, two SEC titles (2002, '05), three division crowns, seven bowl victories and six top-10 finishes.

Tennessee Names Defensive Coordinator

Tim Banks, who helped guide top 25 units as the co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach at Penn State the past five seasons, has been named Tennessee's new defensive coordinator, head coach Josh Heupel announced on Monday evening.

"Tim brings great energy, passion and experience to the Tennessee football family," Heupel said. "His defenses are known for their aggressive style, as well as their multiple coverages and fronts. He's coached in big games and has a proven track record of success on the field and in recruiting. I know our student-athletes are going to enjoy playing for him. We are fortunate to have someone with Tim's experience and caliber leading our defense."  

Banks owns 14 years of FBS defensive coordinator experience, including four seasons at Illinois (2012-15), two years at Cincinnati (2010-11) and three seasons at Central Michigan (2007-09). During his successful five-year run at Penn State, the Nittany Lions ranked in the top 25 nationally in fewest yards per play allowed all five years and ranked in the top 25 in scoring defense three times and tackles for loss per game three times. He also proved to be an outstanding recruiter during his time.

Under Banks' watch from 2016-20, Penn State was among the best nationally in multiple defensive categories – fifth in sacks (221), sixth in fewest passing touchdowns allowed (70), ninth in yards per play allowed (4.8), ninth in forced fumbles (95), 10th in fewest rushing yards per attempt (4.4), 14th in scoring defense (21.2), 13th in rushing defense (132.7), 17th in total defense (344.6) and 25th in pass defense (211.9).

Banks mentored players on the path to the NFL Draft as Penn State produced 10 defensive selections during his time, a figure that ranked 11th nationally and third in the Big Ten during that span.

The Nittany Lions owned a 46-16 record and posted three 11-win campaigns with three New Year's Six games, including the 2017 Rose Bowl after claiming the Big Ten Championship. Penn State tallied a 33-13 mark in conference play during Banks' time, and the Nittany Lions were second in the Big Ten in overall winning percentage (74.19).

Banks' 2019 Penn State defensive unit shined, leading the nation in forced fumbles (22), while ranking fifth in the FBS in rushing defense (95.0), eighth in scoring defense (16.0) and third in fewest touchdown passes allowed (10). The Nittany Lions' scoring defense was their best since 2009 as safeties Lamont Wade and Garrett Taylor garnered All-Big Ten honorable mention honors. Banks played a key role on a squad that posted an 11-2 record and beat No. 17 Memphis in the Cotton Bowl.

Banks' 2018 defense that finished eighth nationally in team passing efficiency (106.10) and 15th in passing yards allowed (181.5) produced All-Big Ten safeties Taylor and Nick Scott. An opportunistic defense that thrived on takeaways, Penn State recorded 13 interceptions and held three opponents to 60 yards or less through the air, representing the first time that feat occurred in single-season school annals since 1976.

Banks' second season was highlighted by the Nittany Lions' second-straight New Year's Six bowl appearance as Penn State topped No. 12 Washington in the Fiesta Bowl. That fall, Banks' defense finished in the top 25 nationally in seven different categories -- scoring defense (7th; 16.5), sacks (7th; 3.23), rushing defense (14th; 118.0), total defense (17th; 329.5), team passing efficiency defense (21st; 114.88), turnovers gained (23rd; 25) and tackles for loss (25th; 7.2).

Both of Banks' starting safeties during the 2017 seasons were invited to the 2018 NFL Combine, including All-Big Ten first-team selection Marcus Allen and All-Big Ten honorable mention Troy Apke.

Banks' debut year at Penn State saw the Nittany Lions claim the Big Ten Championship with memorable wins over No. 2 Ohio State (24-21) and No. 6 Wisconsin (38-31) en route to Pasadena that fall. His defense had a strength in forcing negative plays as it ranked seventh nationally in tackle for loss per game (8.1) and 19th in sacks per contest (2.86). Under Banks' tutelage, Allen garnered 2016 All-Big Ten third-team honors as a junior after leading the team with 110 tackles, including six for loss and two fumble recoveries.

Prior to Penn State, Banks served as the defensive coordinator and secondary coach at Illinois from 2012-15. In his final season, the Fighting Illini ranked 15th in the FBS in passing defense (184.4) and 21st in team passing efficiency defense (112.24). Illinois reached the 2014 Heart of Dallas Bowl. Meanwhile, three of his players were selected in the 2013 NFL Draft – defensive tackle Akeem Spence (fourth round), defensive back Terry Hawthorne (fifth round) and defensive end Michael Buchanan (seventh round).

Prior to his time in Champaign, Banks spent the 2010 and 2011 seasons as the co-defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach at Cincinnati, helping the Bearcats to the 2011 Big East co-championship. In 2011, the Bearcats finished sixth in the FBS in rushing defense (95.31), seventh in turnover margin (+12) and second in sacks (46, 3.54).

Banks coached 2011 Big East Co-Defensive Player of the Year and 2012 NFL Draft second-round pick Derek Wolfe, as well as first-team All-Big East selections Drew Frey and JK Schaefer. For his efforts, Banks was nominated for the 2011 Broyles Award, presented annually to college football's top assistant coach.

Additionally, Banks spent three seasons as the defensive coordinator at his alma mater, Central Michigan from 2007-09, helping the Chippewas win two Mid-American Conference titles (2007, '09) and reach three bowls.  

Prior to that, Banks was at Maryland for four seasons, serving as the inside linebackers coach from 2003-05 and the defensive backs coach in 2006. Under Banks' guidance, linebacker D'Qwell Jackson was a two-time All-ACC first team selection (2004-05), the 2005 ACC Defensive Player of the Year and a 2005 Bednarik Award finalist.

Banks also made coaching stops at Memphis as the defensive backs coach (2002) and outside linebackers coach (2001), Bowling Green as the defensive backs coach (2000) and running backs coach (1999), Ferris State as the defensive backs coach (1997-98) and Bowling Green as a graduate assistant (1996).

A native of Detroit, Banks was a four-year letterwinner at Central Michigan. He was a two-time All-MAC second-team selection at cornerback (1993-94) and was co-captain on the Chippewas' 1994 MAC Championship team. As a junior, he led the squad in tackles with 105 in 1993.

Banks earned his bachelor's degree in industrial management from Central Michigan in 1995.

Heupel Announces Recruiting Operations Staff

New Tennessee head football coach Josh Heupel has unveiled his recruiting operations staff structure, it was announced on Tuesday.

Those joining the football program include:

Scott Altizer – Director of Football Relations   

Jake Breske – Director of Player Personnel

Angelia Brummett – Director of Recruiting

Brandon Lawson – Director of Scouting

Chanelle Smith-Walker – Director of Content

Jessica Stinger – Assistant Director of Recruiting

Charlie High – Scouting Coordinator, Offense

Trey Johnson – Scouting Coordinator, Defense

"I am excited about the staff we are assembling as we build a program Volunteer fans can be proud of," Heupel said. "We have an experienced and established group joining us, all of whom are passionate about Tennessee. Together with our coaching staff, they will play a vital role in creating a successful culture and structure for our student-athletes."

Altizer, Lawson, Brummett, Johnson and High all have previous ties to Tennessee, while Lawson, Brummett and High all served on Heupel's UCF staff. The group has more than 30 combined years of Southeastern Conference experience.

A 20-year UT veteran, Altizer returns to Knoxville after serving as the Deputy Athletics Director at Chattanooga. Lawson, who worked in the Tennessee recruiting department from 2010-14, was previously the director of player personnel at UCF. Brummett, a 2018 Tennessee graduate, was the Knights' director of on-campus recruiting.

Breske, the former director of recruiting at Missouri, reunites with Heupel after the two worked together from 2016-17 in Columbia. Smith-Walker joins Rocky Top as the first Black woman lead creative director in the SEC. She spent the last two years as NC State's director of creative media and was a graphic designer for the 2021 College Football Playoff National Championship.

Johnson, a Tennessee graduate and recruiting staff member from 2013-16, most recently served as the director of scouting and recruiting strategy at Southern Cal, a role he was promoted to in 2018 after serving as the assistant director of player personnel. High, a Knoxville native and UT graduate, was a recruiting assistant at UCF the past season.

With more than six years of experience, Stinger comes to Knoxville after stints as the director of recruiting at Colorado State and the director of on-campus recruiting at Nebraska. She owns previous experience at Middle Tennessee, where she earned her master's degree in 2019. 

Heupel Announces Offensive Coaching Staff

New Tennessee head football coach Josh Heupel has assembled his first offensive coaching staff in Knoxville, it was officially finalized on Monday. 

Heupel's offensive staff includes:

Kodi Burns – Wide Receivers

Glen Elarbee – Offensive Line

Johnny McDonald – Offensive Coordinator/Tight Ends

Joey Halzle – Quarterbacks

Jerry Mack – Running Backs

"We look forward to bringing an exciting brand of up tempo offense to Rocky Top," Heupel said. "I am thrilled about the offensive staff we have assembled. They understand what it takes to maximize our potential offensively and will give our student-athletes the proper path to success and development on and off the field. Their energy will be infectious with our current players and in recruiting as well." 

Elarbee, McDonald and Halzle were all part of Heupel's elite offenses at UCF, including the 2020 season that saw the Knights rank No. 2 in the FBS in total offense (568.1), No. 4 in passing offense (357.4) and No. 8 in scoring offense (42.2). Heupel's UCF units finished in the top five nationally in total offense and in the top 10 nationally in scoring offense in all three of his seasons.

Burns, who begins his seventh season as an SEC assistant coach, comes to Knoxville after spending the last five seasons as Auburn's co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach from 2016-18 and taking on the role of passing game coordinator from 2019-20.

Elarbee returns to the SEC after stops at LSU and Missouri. Under Elarbee's direction from 2018-20, UCF's offensive line flourished and paved the way for a rushing attack that ranked in the top 25 nationally and top three in the American Athletic Conference all three seasons.

McDonald, a Tennessee alum, enters his 18th season at the collegiate level and spent the 2020 season on Heupel's staff as co-offensive coordinator and tight ends coach. Prior to that, McDonald enjoyed four successful seasons as the tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator at Iowa State from 2016-19.

Halzle, a three-time Big 12 Conference champion quarterback at Oklahoma, begins his 13th season alongside Heupel. He spent two seasons at UCF, including the 2020 campaign as quarterbacks coach. The two have been instrumental together in elite quarterback development for 10 seasons. As a player, Halzle was part of a skilled quarterback room that included Sam Bradford, who captured the 2008 Heisman Trophy in his final season.

Mack, a Memphis native, owns 17 years of collegiate coaching experience and five conference championships. He was a three-time HBCU Coach of the Year at North Carolina Central. Mack served as the offensive coordinator at Rice the past three seasons.