Kelsey Pope is joining Josh Heupel’s staff at Tennessee in an off-field role.
Pope comes to Tennessee from Gardner-Webb where he served as passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach.
Tre Lamb is in his first season as Gardner-Webb’s head coach. Lamb has studied Heupel’s offense throughout the years.
“We’re Air Raid passing game,” Lamb said on Jan. 21, six days before Heupel was hired at Tennessee and was still UCF’s head coach. “Air Raid principles with an inside power-running game. I do believe you got to run the ball to win games in certain situations. All our passing game is Air Raid principles.
“If you want to compare our offense to somebody, it probably would be a hybrid between Appalachian State and Central Florida. Those are two teams we study the most. I like the outside zone play that App. State runs and I like the way Central Florida formations you and throws the ball down the field. Those are the two teams we watch the most and cater our offense to our players.”
Pope played for Matt Griffith at Sylacauga High School in Sylacauga, Alabama.
“Tennessee is getting a great one,” Griffith told Vols Wire. “He was a complete player for me at Sylacauga and one of the best I ever coached. Tennessee will love him.
“He was a dual-threat quarterback for me for three years. Very dangerous player that could hurt you in the air or with his feet.”
Pope played collegiately at Samford from 2010-13.
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