rodney garner – Page 2 – Syndication Server

Clemson defensive lineman enters transfer portal, recruited by Rodney Garner

Clemson defensive lineman enters the NCAA transfer portal and was recruited by Rodney Garner.

Clemson defensive tackle Darnell Jefferies has entered the NCAA transfer portal.

The 6-foot-2, 290-pound junior appeared in 29 games for Clemson from 2018-21, totaling 15 tackles, one tackle for a loss and 0.5 sacks. He redshirted during the 2018 season.

Tennessee defensive line coach Rodney Garner recruited Jefferies when serving in the same capacity at Auburn. Auburn offered Jefferies in Feb. 2017.

Jefferies is from Newton High School in Covington, Georgia.

2022 early signing period: Tracker for Vols’ signees

Tennessee’s 2022 football commitment tracker

Big board: Tennessee’s 2022 football recruiting class by position

Follow us at @VolsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of University of Tennessee athletics.

[vertical-gallery id=40818]

Auburn defensive lineman who played for Rodney Garner enters transfer portal

Auburn defensive lineman who played for Rodney Garner enters the NCAA transfer portal.

Auburn defensive tackle Dre Butler has entered the NCAA transfer portal.

The 6-foot-5, 298-pound Butler played for Auburn from 2020-21, totaling 20 tackles and one sack in 13 games.

He transferred from Independence Community College in Independence, Kansas to Auburn ahead of the 2020 season.

Butler played for Rodney Garner at Auburn in 2020. Garner departed Auburn following the 2020 season and served in the same capacity as defensive line coach at Tennessee in 2021.

Tennessee’s 2023 football commitment tracker

Vols’ 2023 recruiting tracker: Running back offers

2021 final statistics: Tennessee’s leaders for rushing yards

Follow us at @VolsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of University of Tennessee athletics.

[vertical-gallery id=40818]

Rodney Garner discusses Tennessee entering SEC play

Rodney Garner discusses Tennessee entering SEC play.

Tennessee (2-1, 0-0 SEC) enters Southeastern Conference play Saturday at No. 12 Florida (2-1, 0-1 SEC).

Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. EDT and ESPN will televise the matchup.

Ahead of the contest, Tennessee defensive line coach Rodney Garner met with media and discussed the Vols kicking off SEC play.

“Obviously, you have two really good football teams playing,” Garner said. “It’s going to be a major challenge. Obviously, this is the best offensive line that we’ve faced, best group of running backs, best group of receivers, quarterback – it’s the complete package. We’ve got to elevate our level of play. We’re in conference now, it’s going to be much more intense.

“It’s going to require more strain. I mean, everyone has to strain harder, everyone has to do little extra things that it takes in preparation, in film study, getting extra rest, putting the right things in their bodies and all the little things it takes to play at a high level.”

[vertical-gallery id=40818]

Fall training camp: Assessment of Tennessee’s defensive line unit

Tennessee practiced for the ninth time during fall training camp on Saturday at Haslam Field.

Following practice, assistant Rodney Garner met with media and discussed the Vols’ defensive line unit.

“I think for the most part, guys are trying to buy in,” Garner said of the defensive line unit compared to spring practices. “Obviously, we’re a work-in-progress. There’s room for improvement all across the board, including coaching. We’ve all got to hold ourselves to a higher standard and understand what that standard is, just understand that there are no shortcuts to success.

“It’s going to happen through adversity and how you handle adversity when you put yourself in adverse situations. Are you going to find a way to fight and win, or are you going to find a way to lose? That’s what we’ve got to change, that mentality. Where we’re going to find a way to win when the game’s on the line. It’s a process. They’ve got to embrace it, and we’ve got to do a better job of holding everybody to those standards.”

Below are additional assessments from Garner regarding Tennessee’s defensive line unit.

Byron Young discusses technique, playing for Rodney Garner

Tennessee’s Byron Young discusses technique, playing for Rodney Garner.

Tennessee enters its second week of fall training camp on Monday.

The Vols have practiced four times since camp started Aug. 4.

Following practice No. 3 of fall training camp, junior linebacker Byron Young met with media. Young transferred from Georgia Military College and enrolled at Tennessee in January.

During Young’s media availability, the 6-foot-3, 243-pound linebacker discussed his focal point coming out of spring football.

“My technique was one of my biggest focuses,” Young said. “During the spring, I kind of struggled with that a little bit. Here now in fall camp, I’ve gotten way better with that — my stance and everything. That was my main focus, my technique.”

Young also discussed playing for defensive assistant Rodney Garner. He credits Garner for helping with his technique.

“Coach Garner’s on me every day and I’m glad he’s on me like that,” Young said. “I wouldn’t want to have it any other way. He’s on me every day and that’s another reason why I got my technique down pat. He pushes me, makes me start over, you know what I’m saying? I love it. He’s one of the greats.

“You look at his stats, he’s really one of the greats. I just take in everything he says, take in the coaching and perform.”

[vertical-gallery id=40818]

Caleb Tremblay discusses arriving at Tennessee from USC

Caleb Tremblay discusses arriving at Tennessee from USC.

Redshirt senior Caleb Tremblay announced his commitment to Tennessee in April.

Tremblay played for USC from 2018-20.

The 6-foot-5, 280-pound defensive lineman totaled 21 tackles and two sacks with the Trojans.

Following the Vols’ third practice during fall training camp, Tremblay met with media and discussed his time at Tennessee.

“It hasn’t been much of a culture shock to be honest,” Tremblay said. “I would actually say Tennessee is a lot like where I’m from. I’m from Napa, California. We’ve got a lot of nature and trees there. It’s been a pretty easy transition. The guys on the team, everybody has been really nice.

“That’s one thing I want to say about the south — everyone is nice and welcoming down here, compared to California. The transition has been good and over the last three months, I’ve spent time getting my body right.”

Tremblay’s position coach is Rodney Garner. The USC transfer mentioned it has been great to play for Garner.

“He’s a real technician,” Tremblay said. “I feel like I’ve already made a lot of growth, even though we’ve just had three fall camp practices.

“Even in those three days, I’ve made a lot of growth as a player. I’m excited to work for him and see where it ends up. I’m going to show up every day and work.”

[vertical-gallery id=40818]

Rodney Garner discusses Vols’ defensive line going from near step to attack and react

2021 Tennessee Vols’ football spring practices.

Tennessee completed its ninth spring practice on Tuesday at Haslam Field.

Following practice, Tennessee defensive line coach Rodney Garner met with media. Garner discussed the Vols’ defensive line unit through nine spring practices.

“They are a group that is eager,” Garner said. “Obviously, they are taking coaching, and I think the guys are buying into it. It is a little bit different, especially schematically. Last year they were more near step. This year we are more attack and react. The guys are really buying into it and taking the coaching, trying to understand what we want, trying to play vertical and trying to play two yards on the other side of the line of scrimmage.

“Actually today, I thought we took a step forward. I look forward to going up there and watching the film and seeing if that’s true. I really thought today was probably the best practice we had all spring. If that’s the case, then we can come out here again on Thursday and be a little bit better, and then again build on that, and be better on Saturday. I definitely think we will be trending in the right direction.”

Tennessee will conclude spring practices with its annual Chevrolet Orange & White Game on April 24 at Neyland Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 4 p.m. EDT.

[vertical-gallery id=39125]

Josh Heupel introduces Tennessee’s defensive coaching staff

First-year Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel introduced his defensive staff.

First-year Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel introduced his defensive staff on Monday.

“I’m excited to be able to introduce our defensive staff, a group of men that I’m really excited about,” Heupel said. “They’ve hit the ground running here this past week and a half with our players and are already getting some things implemented in getting ourselves prepared for spring ball.

“I’m excited about this group of men and who they are, and how they’re going to impact our players in a positive way off the field. A group of high energy men that have a ton of experience. Four out of the five have coordinator experience. Four out of the five have SEC ties and have been inside of this league before. They are a group of elite recruiters that can help us recruit the biggest and the best here to Knoxville, Tennessee.”

KNOXVILLE, TN – March 08, 2021 – Head Coach Josh Heupel of the Tennessee Volunteers of the Tennessee Volunteers during a press conference in the Ray and Lucy Hand Digital Studio in Knoxville, TN. Photo By Caleb Jones/Tennessee Athletics (Tennessee Athletic Communications)

“They’re a group of guys that collectively have experience, have a wealth of knowledge, invest in their players, are going to be great recruiters for us, and I’m excited about having these guys here on the defensive side of the football.” — Josh Heupel on his defensive coaching staff

NEXT: Josh Heupel discusses defensive coordonator Tim Banks

Pages: 123456

Tennessee adds two assistants to defensive coaching staff

Josh Heupel was hired as Tennessee’s head coach on Jan. 27.

He hired Tim Banks as his defensive coordinator on Feb. 15.

On Friday, Tennessee announced two assistant coaches that have been hired to serve under Banks on defense.

Rodney Garner will coach Tennessee’s defensive line, while Willie Martinez is set to oversee the Vols’ secondary.

UT press release:

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.

Report: Kevin Steele considering adding Rodney Garner to Tennessee staff

Former Auburn assistant Rodney Garner is reportedly expected to join Kevin Steele at Tennessee.

While his future as Tennessee interim coach remains up in the air depending on whether or not the Volunteers hire a new head coach before next season, former Auburn defensive coordinator Kevin Steele is not stopping from putting together as good as a staff as possible.

One name being mentioned for his staff, per FootballScoop.com, is Rodney Garner who served as assistant head coach, recruiting coordinator and defensive line coach for Auburn on Gus Malzahn’s staff.

Sources informed FootballScoop that Steele, officially the Vols’ interim coach following the program’s Monday firing of Jeremy Pruitt amidst both an internal and external investigation, is moving to reunite with veteran defensive assistant Rodney Garner.

Garner is expected to return to Rocky Top as the Vols’ defensive line coach, if Tennessee can finalize the deal. He also in that scenario reunites with Steele, with whom he has just finished working alongside at Auburn – Garner’s alma mater.

Among the most acclaimed defensive line coaches in college football, Garner through his work at Georgia and Auburn for nearly a quarter century. With those stops and his first tour at Tennessee, Garner is responsible for double-digit NFL Draft picks along the defensive line and also is consistently ranked as one of the SEC’s and college football’s top recruiting specialists.

Garner is one of the top recruiters in the nation, helping bring players such as Derrick Brown, Montravius Adams and Carl Lawson among others to the Plains during his tenure.

Projecting Auburn’s defensive depth chart for 2021