Tag: Chris Weinke

Chris Weinke is searching for ‘consistency’ in Brian Maurer

Chris Weinke is searching for ‘consistency’ in Brian Maurer.

KNOXVILLE — Quarterback Brian Maurer enters his sophomore season with the Vols in 2020.

Maurer appeared in eight games with four starts last season.

The 6-foot-3, 195-pound sophomore completed 35-of-75 passes as a freshman and totaled 541 yards, two touchdowns and five interceptions. He also scored two touchdowns on the ground and totaled 56 rushing yards on 23 attempts.

KNOXVILLE, TN – AUGUST 17, 2020 – Quarterback Brian Maurer #18 of the Tennessee Volunteers during 2020 Fall Camp practice on Haslam Field in Knoxville, TN. Photo By Andrew Ferguson/Tennessee Athletics

Tennessee’s quarterbacks coach Chris Weinke met with media Wednesday and discussed Maurer heading into his sophomore campaign.

“I think Brian is another example of a young guy last year that didn’t know every detail of what we were trying to get accomplished, but continued to learn,” Weinke said on a Zoom call. “He’s very talented, there’s no doubt. He brings a lot to the table from that standpoint.

“He’s grown up and he’s matured. I think that’s a big part of becoming a professional. We preach about that every single day, how to be a pro, how to learn, how to study, what’s important. I think you’re seeing that in Brian Maurer.”

Weinke mentioned Maurer has “as much talent as a lot of guys” that he has been around. The former Florida State Heisman Trophy winner said Maurer has “the ability to throw the football from different platforms.”

The Vols’ quarterbacks coach is searching for consistency in Maurer during fall training camp.

“We just have to create some consistency with him, and that’s with all of them, but especially Brian,” Weinke said.

Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Jarrett Guarantano ‘absolutely’ has chance to improve during second year in same system

Jarrett Guarantano ‘absolutely’ has chance to improve during second year in same system.

KNOXVILLE – Quarterback Jarrett Guarantano enters his redshirt senior season at Tennessee in 2020.

2020 marks Guarantano’s second season playing for offensive coordinator Jim Chaney and quarterbacks coach Chris Weinke.

In 2019, the 6-foot-4, 215-pound redshirt senior completed 152 passes in 257 attempts for 2,158 passing yards, 16 touchdowns and eight interceptions.

Last month in a Zoom media conference call, third-year Tennessee head coach Jeremy Pruitt discussed his confidence in Guarantano.

“The longer you do something, the more you do the same stuff over and over, you obviously get better at it,” Pruitt said. “Jarrett is a guy who has played a lot of really good football and has a lot of experience to draw upon.

“It is something he has worked really hard this offseason to continue to improve himself. I would think absolutely he would have a chance to improve being in his second year in the same system.”

Guarantano’s passing numbers each quarter in 2019

• First quarter: 38-62, 520 yards, 3 touchdowns, 2 interceptions

• Second quarter: 42-80, 565 yards, 5 touchdowns, 3 interceptions

• Third quarter: 37-59, 545 yards, 5 touchdowns, 2 interceptions

• Fourth quarter: 32-50, 501 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception

• Overtime: 3-6, 27 yards, 1 touchdown, 0 interceptions

Guarantano’s completions-attempts by down in 2019

• First down: 57-97

• Second down: 43-78

• Third down: 51-76

• Fourth down: 32-50

Contracts set to expire for Tracy Rocker, Chris Weinke

Contracts set to expire for Tracy Rocker, Chris Weinke.

KNOXVILLE — Tennessee defensive line coach Tracy Rocker has served in the capacity for two seasons within Jeremy Pruitt’s tenure as head coach at UT.

Friday is Rocker’s final day working for Tennessee with his initial contract. His contract reads as followed below.

Tracy Rocker’s contract

Tracy Rocker
Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

SECTION 1.2. TERM. The term of this Agreement shall be from December 8, 2017 through January 31, 2020, unless sooner terminated as provided in this Agreement (the “Term”). The University may allow the Term to expire and elect not to renew Coach’s employment as Assistant Football Coach without complying with any University Rules applicable to staff-exempt employees who do not serve under a contract of employment for a definite term. Oral agreements to renew or extend the Term are invalid and nonbinding. For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Contract Year” shall mean a three hundred and sixty-five (365) day period beginning on February 1 of one calendar year and ending on January 31 of the immediately succeeding calendar year; however, the first Contract Year in the Term shall begin on December 8, 2017 and end on January 31, 2019.

Tennessee quarterbacks coach Chris Weinke, who served as the Vols’ running backs coach in 2018, is also working within his final day of his initial contract. Weinke’s contract reads as followed below.

Chris Weinke’s contract

Chris Weinke
Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

SECTION 1.2. The term of this Agreement shall be from February 15, 2018 through January 31, 2020, unless sooner terminated as provided in this Agreement (the “Term”). The University may allow the Term to expire and elect not to renew Coach’s employment as Assistant Football Coach without complying with any University Rules applicable to staff-exempt employees who do not serve under a contract of employment for a definite term. Oral agreements to renew or extend the Term are invalid and nonbinding. For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Contract Year” shall mean a three hundred and sixty-five (365) day period beginning on February 1 of one calendar year and ending on January 31 of the immediately succeeding calendar year; however, the first Contract Year in the Term shall begin on February 15, 2018 and end on January 31, 2019.

Tennessee offers 2021 defensive end

Tennessee offers 2021 defensive end.

KNOXVILLE – Tennessee continued its offseason recruitment process on Wednesday, offering a scholarship to South Carolina defensive end Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins.

Ingram-Dawkins announced the offer on his Twitter page.

Listed as a three-star on 247Sports, and the No. 28 defensive end in the 2021 class, Dawkins has the measurable of an athletic edge rusher at 6-foot-4.5 and 265-pounds.

Out of Gaffney High School in South Carolina, Ingram-Dawkins also holds offers from South Carolina, Syracuse and West Virginia.

Tennessee quarterbacks coach Chris Weinke is listed as Tyrion-Dawkins’ primary recruiter.

Defensive line is a position of strength for Tennessee in 2020, as the Vols return every contributor from 2019 along with defensive tackle Emmit Gooden, who missed the entire season with an ACL tear.

The Vols will lose Gooden and Aubrey Solomon after 2020, along with other members of the defensive line. It appears Jeremy Pruitt and his staff are looking to get an early jump on Tyrion-Dawkins’ recruitment as just the second SEC school to get on the board.

UT News: November 13, 2019

UT News: November 13, 2019

Welcome to a hump day edition of UT News! The men’s basketball team got a bit of a scare last night, but still managed to emerge victorious against the Murray State Racers. The sports scene around Rocky Top was otherwise quiet, though two major announcements were made for a couple of very deserving members of Vols nation.

Rennia Davis named SEC Player of the Week

Junior wingwoman Rennia Davis was named SEC Player of the Week Tuesday morning, the second time she has earned the honor in her career.

Leading the Lady Vols to a 3-0 start, Davis has averaged 16.7 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game, while shooting 44 percent and 43 percent from the field and behind the arc, respectively. She has managed two double-doubles in three games, bringing her collegiate total to 20 — that ties her for 16th all-time at Tennessee.

Davis exploded against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Monday night, dropping 33 points and grabbing 10 boards in an impressive win for the Vols against a ranked team. That tremendous performance likely clinched the decision to hand her the award.

NEXT: Chris Weinke named to join Florida Sports Hall of Fame

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3