All for Tennessee
Fansided

Tennessee football: Ranking all 10 assistant coaches on Vols 2019 staff

By Caleb Calhoun

COLUMBIA, SC - OCTOBER 27: Head coach Jeremy Pruitt of the Tennessee Volunteers reacts after a play against the South Carolina Gamecocks during their game at Williams-Brice Stadium on October 27, 2018 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
COLUMBIA, SC - OCTOBER 27: Head coach Jeremy Pruitt of the Tennessee Volunteers reacts after a play against the South Carolina Gamecocks during their game at Williams-Brice Stadium on October 27, 2018 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
11 of 11
Next
Photo by NFL via Getty Images
Photo by NFL via Getty Images /

We have to put some sort of emphasis on the production of the coaches last year. And even if he had the biggest advantage with three seniors starting on the defensive line, Tracy Rocker had the best unit of anybody on the team.

Live Feed

UAB vs. Georgia Prediction, Odds, Trends and Key Players for College Football Week 4
UAB vs. Georgia Prediction, Odds, Trends and Key Players for College Football Week 4 /

Betsided

  • Charlotte vs. Florida Prediction, Odds, Trends and Key Players for College Football Week 4 Betsided
  • Is Michael Penix Jr. the best quarterback in college football? With the First Pick
  • Most heartwarming social media reactions to Nick Chubb's injury Saturday Blitz
  • Florida State vs. Clemson Prediction, Odds, Trends and Key Players for College Football Week 4 Betsided
  • Arkansas vs. LSU Prediction, Odds, Trends and Key Players for College Football Week 4 Betsided

    • Rocker was already No. 2 on our staff rankings last year, and the guy ahead of him is now gone. So why wouldn’t he be No. 1 given the fact that his unit was dominant for Tennessee football in 2018? It only makes sense.

    Kyle Phillips and Alexis Johnson were the top playmakers on the team, and Shy Tuttle did his part as well. But if you know Rocker, his track record tells you this performance was no surprise. The guy always gets the most out of his defensive linemen.

    Rocker, with deep SEC ties after playing for the Auburn Tigers in the 1980s, developed three All-Americans while coaching Troy State’s defensive line from 1997 to 2001. His units anchored a team to help it win enough to eventually enter FBS play as the Troy Trojans.

    He then helped the Cincinnati Bearcats win a share of the Conference-USA title in 2002 and joined Houston Nutt and the Arkansas Razorbacks from 2003 to 2007, helping the Hogs win the SEC East in 2006. After that, he followed Nutt to Ole Miss and helped the Rebels make it to the Cotton Bowl in 2008.

    Ole Miss fell apart under Nutt only after Rocker left, and he left to join Gene Chizik at his alma mater. Outside of Cam Newton, Rocker’s unit was the other notable part of that 2010 national title team with Nick Fairley leading the way on the defensive line and becoming SEC Defensive Player of the Year.

    Gaining NFL success with the Tennessee Titans after that and then spending three years with the Georgia Bulldogs built Rocker’s resume as a guy with diverse experience, deep SEC ties and a history of production. Now, he’s the top guy on Tennessee football’s offensive staff.

    dark. Next. Tee Martin's 10 greatest games played with Vols

    However, this year will be Rocker’s biggest test. With the departure of all three linemen, it’s up to him to find replacements who can make an impact up front. If he can’t the Vols are in for a rough year. Should the defensive line once again be an elite part of the unit, then there will be no question that Rocker is the best position coach in college football.

    Home/Vols Football