The offseason has started for Tennessee’s football program.
Tennessee (3-7, 3-7 SEC) concluded its 2020 season with a 34-13 loss to Texas Texas A&M on Dec. 19.
With the offseason underway, Tennessee will look to evaluate its coaching staff.
Third-year Tennessee head coach Jeremy Pruitt relieved defensive line coach Jimmy Brumbaugh of his duties in October during the season.
Offensive line coach Will Friend has joined South Carolina’s coaching staff.
Wide receivers coach Tee Martin and inside linebackers coach Brian Niedermeyer have expiring contracts on Jan. 31, 2021.
Tennessee could potentially look to fill four or more assistant coaching positions this offseason.
Offensive coordinator Jim Chaney has a history of coaching alongside John Peterson.
Peterson served as offensive line coach when Chaney was offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Pittsburgh in 2015. He is currently serving as offensive tackles and tight ends coach at Youngstown State.
Peterson previously discussed Pruitt hiring Chaney with Vols Wire.
“I definitely still keep in contact with Jim and I think it is a great hire for a lot of different reasons,” Peterson told Vols Wire. “He is an outstanding recruiter and an evaluator that does a great job in all facets. Pulling Chaney away from Georgia is a big deal.
“I went through seven offensive coordinators in a seven-year span and he by far was the best game-planner. He is truly an expert of putting together different facets and really understanding what the players can do and building strengths around them. He is a very intelligent person, but also relates well and is a very good communicator with the coaching staff and the players, so I think he is a great hire for Tennessee.”
If Chaney is looked upon to fulfill another year on his Tennessee contract, Peterson could potentially become a candidate in replacing Friend.
A move for Peterson to have any discussions to reunite with Chaney on Pruitt’s staff would ultimately be decided with Director of Athletics Phillip Fulmer and his support for the head coach he hired three years ago.
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