3. No experience for three staff members in their respective roles
Heading into 2019, Tennessee football has three staff members leading positions where they have no experience at the college level. That was not the case last year in any of the spots. But yes, it’s a major concern this year.
Chris Weinke has never coached quarterbacks in college. Derrick Ansley has never been a defensive coordinator. And Kevin Sherrer has never been a special teams coordinator. So what they do next year remains a big question.
There is good news with all of this, to be fair. Ansley was a co-defensive coordinator in 2015. Weinke has coached quarterbacks in the NFL. And special teams coordinator doesn’t seem to be that significant of a role.
However, we still don’t know how these guys will fare in their respective roles. Ansley is replacing Jeremy Pruitt, who called the plays himself on defense last year, and Pruitt is obviously proven as a coordinator. All three coaches from last year who are gone had experience at their positions.
Tyson Helton was the passing game coordinator with the USC Trojans, but he also had experience as the offensive coordinator of the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers. Terry Fair spent three years as defensive backs coach for the Colorado State Rams. And Charles Kelly had been a defensive coordinator, secondary coach and special teams coordinator for years.
Now, two of the new coaches do have a history of production. Tee Martin has been a very successful receivers coach, and Jim Chaney’s resume as offensive coordinator speaks for itself. But Ansley’s new role and the switch for Weinke and Sherrer remain questionable.