Tennessee football took a hit with the news that Volunteers Special Teams and Tight Ends Coach Mark Elder will become the head coach at Eastern Kentucky.
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One of the biggest reasons to believe in Tennessee football under Butch Jones has been the play of special teams, especially this year.
That was also a selling point for how great the Vols could be next year, with everybody back. Trevor Daniel is an elite punter, Aaron Medley has finally developed into an elite kicker, and Alvin Kamara and Cameron Sutton are elite returners while Evan Berry is All-American worthy.
That much of a complete unit is a valuable asset to have. But now, Jones and Co. are tasked with keeping it at the same level due to the departure of Mark Elder.
The special teams and tight ends coach is set to take the head coaching job at Eastern Kentucky, according to a report from ABC 36 Sports on WTVQ, the ABC affiliate in Lexington, Ky. Here is an excerpt from the report.
"Elder’s expected to be formally introduced on Thursday and meet the team Tuesday at 3:30.Players were sent a text message to dress up and attend a mandatory meeting to meet their new head coach late Monday night."
Elder has been with Butch Jones since he began his coaching career at Central Michigan in 2007, coaching linebackers, running backs, and safeties in addition to special teams and tight ends over the past six years. But he has developed a strong reputation as a special teams coach.
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Knowing Jones’s emphasis on that aspect of football, he will work quickly to make sure there is no drop-off at the position. If your team is defined by a special teams coach, you are in trouble anyway.
It is highly unlikely Jones would not be prepared to replace guys like Elder as the years go by. After all, that is the nature of what happens to your staff when you have success.
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The important thing for Jones is making sure he finds the right guy to fill the void and keep up the continuity, just like he did by bringing in Mike DeBord as offensive coordinator last year.