Tag: Robert Ayers

Robert Ayers joins Tennessee’s staff

Former Vol Robert Ayers Jr. joins Tennessee’s staff.

Former Vol Robert Ayers Jr. is joining Josh Heupel’s coaching staff.

Ayers Jr. will serve as a defensive graduate assistant for the Vols in 2023.

He played linebacker and defensive end at Tennessee from 2004-08.

The former Vol served as defensive coordinator at Oak Ridge High School in Oak Ridge, Tennessee in 2022.

He came to Oak Ridge after serving as defensive coordinator and defensive line coach at Knoxville Catholic High School (Knoxville, Tennessee) during the 2020-21 seasons.

Ayers Jr. was selected No. 18 by Denver in the first round of the 2009 NFL draft.

In the NFL, Ayers Jr. played for Denver (2009-13), the New York Giants (2014-15) and Tampa Bay (2016-17).

Ayers totaled 257 tackles, 35 sacks, 14 pass deflections, eight forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and one defensive touchdown during his NFL career.

[vertical-gallery id=36701]

Robert Ayers named defensive coordinator at Oak Ridge

Former Vol Robert Ayers Jr. named defensive coordinator at Oak Ridge.

Robert Ayers Jr. has been named defensive coordinator at Oak Ridge High School in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.

Ayers Jr. played linebacker and defensive end at Tennessee from 2004-08.

He comes to Oak Ridge after serving as defensive coordinator and defensive line coach at Knoxville Catholic High School (Knoxville, Tennessee) during the 2020-21 seasons.

Ayers Jr. was selected No. 18 by Denver in the first round of the 2009 NFL draft.

In the NFL, Ayers played for Denver (2009-13), the New York Giants (2014-15) and Tampa Bay (2016-17).

Ayers totaled 257 tackles, 35 sacks, 14 pass deflections, eight forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and one defensive touchdown during his NFL career.

Follow us at @VolsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of University of Tennessee athletics. Let us know your thoughts, comment on this story below. Join the conversation today.

[vertical-gallery id=36044]

VFL Robert Ayers accepts coaching job at Knoxville Catholic

VFL Robert Ayers accepts coaching job at Knoxville Catholic.

KNOXVILLE — A former University of Tennessee football player is returning to Knoxville to be a high school coach.

Robert Ayers, who played for the Volunteers from 2005-08, has accepted a job as an assistant coach at Knoxville Catholic High School. He fills a vacancy for the Irish that was created when Kris White left the program to become the head coach at Moore County High School in Lynchburg, Tennessee.

White served as a co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach under head coach Steve Matthews.

Ayers, a Jersey City, New Jersey native, came to UT in 2004 as an outside linebacker. He redshirted and moved to defensive end in 2005 and was an All-Southeastern Conference standout in 2008.

Ayers, who attended high school in South Carolina, started as a senior for the Volunteers during his breakout senior season. He led the SEC with 15.5 tackles for a loss.

During the 2008 campaign, he also posted 49 tackles, three sacks, six quarterback pressures and an interception.

He was a first-round pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, the 18th overall pick, and was selected by the Denver Broncos.

Ayers played in Denver until 2013. He also played for the New York Giants (2014-15) and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2016-17).

He signed a one-year deal with Detroit the following year and was released after just one day in training camp.

Ayers officially retired from the NFL in 2019 after recording 257 career tackles, 35 sacks, 14 pass deflections, eight forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and one defensive touchdown.