Tennessee hires former Georgia defensive coordinator

The Tennessee Volunteers have hired former Georgia Bulldogs defensive coordinator Willie Martinez as their defensive backs coach

The Tennessee Volunteers have hired former Georgia Bulldogs defensive coordinator Willie Martinez to be their defensive backs coach.

Martinez previously coached at the University of Georgia from 2001-2009. He spent the first few seasons in Athens as a secondary coach before being promoted to defensive coordinator.

Willie Martinez brings Tennessee a wealth of experience. He’s previously been a secondary coach for Georgia, Oklahoma, Auburn, Tennessee, Cincinnati, UCF, and more.

The former Georgia Bulldogs defensive coordinator was previously coaching under new Tennessee head Josh Heupel during his time with the UCF Knights. Martinez hasn’t been a defensive coordinator since leaving the University of Georgia.

Pete Thamel of Yahoo reported the hiring of Willie Martinez:

Willie Martinez and the Tennessee Volunteers are set to return to Athens to face the Georgia Bulldogs in 2022. Will Tennessee be able to shrink the gap between them and the top teams in the SEC East?

Apr 11, 2009; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs defensive coordinator Willie Martinez coaches in the Bulldogs annual G-Day spring game at Sanford Stadium. Paul Abell-USA TODAY Sports

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