Josh Heupel was hit with a couple of late departures from his coaching staff this offseason, forcing him to add a couple of new names with just a few weeks to go before spring football begins. De’Rail Sims got the call to replace Jerry Mack at running backs coach, as Mack opted to head to the NFL to take the same position with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Sims has climbed the coaching ladder, making stops at Western Carolina, James Madison, East Carolina, Louisville and Cincinnati on his way to Knoxville. The 38-year-old coach now takes over the Tennessee backfield, where he’ll see a familiar face to kick things off.