The Oklahoma Sooners can be glad Tennessee isn't on their 2026 slate after playing the Volunteers the last two seasons
Tennessee on Thursday officially announced Jim Knowles as its new defensive coordinator for a hire that should finally give Josh Heupel a stout defense to pair with his already potent offense to immediately make the Volunteers serious contenders in the SEC as long as Heupel and Knowles lead their units together.
Volunteers hire Jim Knowles as defensive coordinator
Heupel has risen Tennessee as a consistent SEC contender since taking over the program in 2021 thanks to his stellar offense that still thrived this season while going 8-4 and after losing star quarterback Nico Iamaleava during the spring.