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Tennessee football: 5 questions heading into Vols 2019 spring practice

By Caleb Calhoun

KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 08: Tennessee mascot Davy Crockett carries the flag across the end zone during a game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the East Tennessee State University Buccaneers at Neyland Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennesee won the game 59-3. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 08: Tennessee mascot Davy Crockett carries the flag across the end zone during a game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the East Tennessee State University Buccaneers at Neyland Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennesee won the game 59-3. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images) /
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Tee Martin
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3. Which new position coach will have the biggest impact?  

It was an odd year of changes for Tennessee football with position coaches. The Vols have three new assistants, but it’s not just the assistants that matter. On top of the additions, there are tons of guys in different roles.

Overall, four positions will have different coaches this year, which is a pretty dramatic change for a program. That moves to five if you include the fact that cornerbacks and safeties each have one coach this year, unlike last year.

New defensive coordinator Derrick Ansley is running the show with all the defensive backs now, replacing both Terry Fair, who coached cornerbacks, and Charles Kelley, who coached safeties. Both are gone now.

Meanwhile, UT legend and national championship quarterback Tee Martin has joined the team as their new wide receivers coach. He replaces David Johnson, who has moved to running backs coach, replacing Chris Weinke, who has moved to quarterbacks coach, replacing Tyson Helton, who also served as offensive coordinator last year and was replaced by Jim Chaney.

Will Friend on the offensive line, Tracy Rocker on the defensive line, Brian Niedermeyer at tight ends and Chris Rumph and Kevin Sherrer at linebackers are the only ones to maintain their position. The question is how intense will all these other guys be when spring ball hits? Will the changes be noticeable? As much of a question it is with position coaches, it leads to a larger question, which is our next slide.

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