Vols Name Sal Sunseri Defensive Coordinator

Tennessee finally has a defensive coordinator. A day after Dooley filled the offensive line coach position with Sam Pittman, Tennessee has filled the defensive coordinator with Alabama LB and associate coach Sal Sunseri. Tennessee finally appears to be heading in the direction of stability filling the two open positions, but there is still a long road ahead for Dooley. Both hires are known to be talented recruiters. Here’s Sunseri’s statement:

"“The chance to work with Derek Dooley, who has been around championships and knows what it takes to build an elite program, combined with the rich tradition of the University of Tennessee, makes this opportunity so exciting to me,” Sunseri said in a statement. “I am fired up to work with all of the young talent on the defensive side of the ball, and I can’t wait to get up to Knoxville and coach them.” -via ESPN.com"

Tennessee, who have had 5 coaching vacancies open since the offseason began losing coaches Wilcox (DC) , Sirmon (LB) , Russel (TE), Hiestand (OL), and Baggitt (WR), have filled 3 of them. Starting with Jay Graham (RB’s), then adding Sam Pittman (OL) yesterday, and finally adding Sunseri today to run the defense.

Before serving on Nick Saban’s staff at Alabama where he won two national titles, Sunseri was the defensive line coach for the Carolina Panthers, and coached at Michigan State and LSU.

"“Sal has had unparalleled success over the last decade in not only contributing to team and unit success, but also in his ability to motivate and develop elite individual talent,” Dooley said in the same statement. “His combination of defensive knowledge, recruiting success, high-energy personality, ability to connect with players, and personal integrity and character make him an exceptional fit for Tennessee.”"

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