Tennessee will fill its open defensive line coaching position following the 2020 season.
Third-year Tennessee head coach Jeremy Pruitt relieved defensive line coach Jimmy Brumbaugh of his duties following a Week 4 loss to Kentucky. Pruitt is overseeing the unit for the remainder of the season.
Tosh Lupoi served as outside linebackers coach at Alabama from 2016-17 when Pruitt was the Crimson Tide’s defensive coordinator.
Lupoi is currently coaching the Atlanta Falcons’ defensive line in 2020 and is part of a staff in which head coach Dan Quinn was fired after five games. His tenure with the Falcons after this season is uncertain.
Allan Bridgford was recruited and played for Lupoi at California (2009-12). He discussed what it would take for Pruitt to hire Lupoi to his coaching staff following the conclusion of the 2020 season.
“I don’t see Tosh coming back to college unless he is a defensive coordinator at a SEC or a top-tier school, or a head coach at a reputable program,” Bridgford told Vols Wire. “He is not going to leave the NFL unless it is an offer he cannot refuse.”
Lupoi has served as a defensive line coach at California, Washington, the Cleveland Browns and Atlanta Falcons.
A title and job responsibilities of being a defensive coordinator and defensive line coach, along with higher compensation, would be a negotiating standpoint in Pruitt reuniting with Lupoi at Tennessee.