Jeremy Pruitt replacing Tennessee Vols football assistants Tracy Rocker and Chris Rumph lead our Volunteers news for Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2020.
Talk about an extremely busy Monday. National Signing Day isn’t even a week old, and the Tennessee Vols football program hit us with a ton of news right out of the gate to kick off this week, none of which was related to recruiting.
Our morning update on Rocky Top leads with the two coaching changes the program made. Both are big deals, and they have resulted in five on-field positions overall that will be led by new coaches heading into this year. There is another major story as well, though, in women’s basketball, with a former Lady Vol receiving a great and well-deserved honor.
We then have housekeeping things for this week, including a men’s basketball media session to preview this week’s games and a recap of a softball event. Upcoming women’s soccer events are also on the slate. But let’s start with the coaching news.
Tracy Rocker, Chris Rumph replaced – Dan Harralson, VolsWire.com
On Monday, the Tennessee Vols football program replaced defensive line coach Tracy Rocker with Jimmy Brumbaugh and outside linebackers head coach Chris Rumph with Shelton Felton, who is returning to UT from the Akron Zips. Rocker is joining the South Carolina Gamecocks staff, and Rumph is heading to the pros to join the Houston Texans.
"Brumbaugh comes to Tennessee from Colorado where he served as defensive line coach.…Felton served as a quality control analyst for the Vols in 2018."
Tamika Catchings to be inducted into Hall of Fame – WBHOF.com
Former Tennessee Lady Vols star Tamika Catchings is among seven players in this year’s Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame class. Catchings, a four-time Olympic Gold Medalist, was part of the undefeated 1997-1998 Lady Vol squad, earned every Player of the Year honor possible in 2000, and spent 15 years in the WNBA with the Indiana Fever, winning the 2011 regular season MVP and the 2012 WNBA Championship and Finals MVP.
"The 2020 Induction will mark the 22nd Class of Inductees to be honored by the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, which held its grand opening and inaugural induction in 1999. The Class of 2020 will be inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, receiving their coveted Eastman Trophy and Baron Championship Induction Ring, on June 13, 2020, in Knoxville, Tennessee."
Rick Barnes addresses media ahead of Arkansas – Grant Ramey, GoVols247
After a home loss to the Kentucky Wildcats, the Tennessee Vols men’s basketball team will host the Arkansas Razorbacks Tuesday night. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. ET. UT comes in at 13-10 record and 5-5 in the SEC, and Arkansas comes in at 16-7 and 4-6 in the SEC. Rick Barnes said Monday that Josiah-Jordan James is still day-to-day. Here’s a bit of what else he said.
"“You know, really, we talked a lot about some of the defensive things that we always breakdown. But you go back where we feel again our offense is allowing too many easy plays that we can’t defend. And the fact that we still give away too many offensive possessions, where we can get a better shot and have to work towards a better shot.”"
Softball matchup with ASU postponed – TheSunDevils.com
With a 2-1 record, the No. 12 ranked Tennessee Lady Vols softball team had its Monday game at the No. 22 ranked Arizona State Sun Devils postponed until 7 p.m. ET Tuesday due to rain. It was the last game for them in the Kajikawa Classic, and they had a 4-0 lead in the fourth inning.
"The top-25 tilt is the final game of this past weekend’s Kajikawa Classic. ASU is looking to extend its 4-1 record after upsetting No. 14 Northwestern on Saturday and shutting out Seattle on Sunday with Cielo Meza’s no-hitter."
Spring soccer schedule announced – UTSports
Brian Pensky announced the Tennessee women’s soccer 2020 exhibition schedule for the spring Monday. They’ll open things up Saturday, Feb. 29 at 5 p.m. ET against the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles, and play will last through Saturday, April 18.
"The slate features five matches, including three at Regal Soccer Stadium, a road trip to Alabama and a neutral site matchup against Auburn in Atlanta. Admission for all spring matches at Regal Soccer Stadium will be free of charge."