Tennessee has unveiled the contractual agreements for its newly appointed assistant football coaches, following the recent announcement of changes to the defensive staff under new coordinator Jim Knowles.
In a significant restructuring as they prepare for the 2026 season, the Tennessee football program has retained two defensive assistants and welcomed three new members to the coaching staff, all with connections to Knowles. On Friday evening, the Vols confirmed the hiring of co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach Anthony Poindexter, LEOs coach Andrew Jackson, and cornerbacks coach Michael Hunter Jr. Additionally, they announced that defensive line coach Rodney Garner is staying on with a two-year contract extension and a pay increase, alongside linebackers coach William Inge. Following these appointments, Tennessee also disclosed the contractual details of the three new hires.
Poindexter and Jackson both collaborated with Knowles during the 2025 season at Penn State, while Hunter has worked alongside him at both Oklahoma State in 2021 and Ohio State in 2024, where they secured a national championship. This transition comes after the departure of Tim Banks, who was the only defensive coordinator under head coach Josh Heupel, along with secondary coach Willie Martinez and outside linebackers coach Levorn Harbin, who were both promoted less than a year ago but will not continue with the team.
According to the memorandums of understanding provided by Tennessee to GoVols247 on Friday night, Poindexter, Jackson, and Hunter have all signed two-year contracts that will extend through the 2027 season, officially concluding on January 31, 2028.
Poindexter’s contract, finalized on Thursday, outlines a salary of $805,000 for 2026, which will rise to $900,000 in 2027. Furthermore, he is eligible for a one-time retention bonus of $100,000 if he remains employed until the end of the 2027 regular season. Jackson is set to earn $375,000 in 2026, increasing to $425,000 the following year. Meanwhile, Hunter’s compensation will begin at $225,000 in 2026 and increase to $275,000 in 2027.
The buyout provisions in each memorandum are consistent with Tennessee's standard terms for assistant football coaches. Should the Vols decide to terminate any of these coaches, they would be entitled to the remaining salary specified in their contracts; however, this amount would be reduced by any salary earned at a new position. The coaches are also required to make reasonable efforts to secure the best comparable employment to lessen Tennessee's financial obligation. If they choose to leave the Vols, they must pay back 50% of their remaining salary, although this buyout can be waived for valid reasons, such as securing a head coaching role or being dismissed after the conclusion of their final contract year.
Tennessee successfully recruited Knowles with a three-year agreement that guarantees him $2 million in 2026, rising to $2.2 million in 2027, and $2.4 million in 2028. Garner, who has been part of Heupel’s staff since 2021, signed a two-year extension in December that increased his salary to $1 million. Inge, on the other hand, is contracted through the 2026 season, entering his third year at Tennessee after renewing his contract last offseason.
Heupel expressed enthusiasm regarding the new defensive staff, stating, "We are excited about the experienced defensive staff we have assembled as we start the New Year. This group has a long, distinguished track record of outstanding recruiting, player development, and coaching technique in either the Big Ten or SEC. They are already in our facility and working hard with Coach Knowles to help restore the standard of defense we expect to play at Tennessee. We would like to formally welcome Anthony, Andrew, and Michael to Rocky Top."
This fresh approach to the coaching lineup suggests a commitment to enhancing the team's performance, but what do you think? Are these changes sufficient to elevate Tennessee's defense to the next level? Share your thoughts!
