Vols confirm hiring of linebackers coach
Tennessee head football coach Josh Heupel on Thursday confirmed the hiring of Brian Jean-Mary as the new linebackers coach of the Volunteers.
Jean-Mary spent the 2020 season coaching linebackers at Michigan, which followed a threeyear stint as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at the University of South Florida. While at USF during the 2018-19 seasons, Jean-Mary faced a Central Florida team led by Heupel, who called the plays for the Knights.
“Brian is a great fit on our defensive staff,” Heupel said in a release. “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.”
Jean-Mary’s year with Jim Harbaugh’s Wolverines ended a decade-long run under Charlie Strong that took him to Louisville (2010-13), Texas (2014-16) and USF. His 2017 Bulls averaged 8.4 tackles for loss per game, while his 2019 Bulls averaged 8.3, and each of those clips ranked among the top five nationally in that category. USF went from 120th nationally in total defense in 2016 to 37th in his first season as coordinator.
Before latching on with Strong, Jean-Mary served as Georgia Tech’s linebackers coach from 2004-09 under both Chan Gailey and Paul Johnson. The Yellow Jackets led the nation in sacks in 2007.
Jean-Mary has agreed to a two-year contract at $550,000 annually, and Tennessee is having to pay Michigan $450,000 to buy out the second of JeanMary’s two-year pact with the Wolverines.
Tennessee has announced nine of Heupel’s 10 full-time assistants — offensive coordinator and tight ends coach Alex Golesh, offensive line coach Glen Elarbee, quarterbacks coach Joey Halzle, receivers coach Kodi Burns, running backs coach Jerry Mack, defensive coordinator Tim Banks, defensive line coach Rodney Garner, Jean-Mary as linebackers coach and Willie Martinez as secondary coach.
The only position that hasn’t been revealed is special teams coordinator.