A Tennessee Vols football enrollee being named an impact player and the retirement of a coach lead our Volunteers news for Wednesday, June 13, 2018.
The official first day of summer remains a week away, and the Tennessee Vols just keep on generating excitement. That’s mainly for football, and the same is today with more news surrounding a newcomer.
As we get set to bring you today’s updates on Rocky Top, national coverage of this newcomer is what leads our report. We also have a retiring coach to discuss along with a final ranking in a spring sport. But as we almost always do, let’s start with the football story.
Emmit Gooden named instant impact player – Barton Simmons, CBS Sports
Tennessee football four-star junior college transfer Emmit Gooden was named among the 10 summer enrollees expected to make an instant impact this year. Gooden is technically a strongside defensive end, but he could probably also line up at tackle. With the Tennessee Vols switching to a 3-4 this year in Jeremy Pruitt’s and Kevin Sherrer’s new system, many players are moving over to edge rusher and outside linebacker, leaving the line a bit thin. That gives Gooden a huge chance to make an immediate impact, which is probably why he made the list over Jordan Allen, an actual edge rusher, or Dominick Wood-Anderson, who is a tight end. Both of those guys were four-star junior college transfers as well.
"New coach Jeremy Pruitt is trying to quickly turn Tennessee into a bigger, more physical football team. Gooden arrives from the junior college ranks as a 6-foot-4, 305-pound hunk of mass that can be help drive that transition."
Golf coach Jim Kelson to retire – Mike Wilson, Knoxville News Sentinel
Tennessee Vols men’s golf coach Jim Kelson will retire after 20 years. Kelson had a ton of success with the program, which included 17 appearances in NCAA Regionals, seven in NCAA championships and the 2007 SEC Championship. He is second in program history in overall wins with 2,024 and SEC wins with 358. Sean Pacetti has been named interim head coach of the program for the time being.
"“Being the head men’s golf coach at the University of Tennessee over the past 20 years has been the biggest privilege of my life,” Kelson said in a statement released by the school. “I want to first thank all of my current and former players for all of their efforts and friendships over the years. It was an honor to be your coach.”"
Softball ranked No. 10 in final polls – UTSports
Despite missing the Women’s College World Series for a second straight year, the Tennessee Lady Vols softball team finished in the Top 10 in the polls. They came in right at No. 10 in both polls.
"After compiling a 48-14 record that saw UT advance to its sixth Super Regional in the past seven seasons, the program has now finished among the top-20 in both national polls in each year since 2004."