Tennessee football: Five potential concerns over Vols hiring DL coach Jimmy Brumbaugh

5. Less familiar with 3-4 defense

Technically, the Colorado Buffaloes did play a 3-4 defense under Mel Tucker this past year. But before that, almost all of Jimmy Brumbaugh’s experience was in a base defense with four down linemen, whether it be 4-2-5 or 4-3. Although Tennessee football has run lots of 4-2-5 under Jeremy Pruitt and Derrick Ansley, that’s their nickel set. The Vols are a base 3-4.

In 2017 and 2018, Brumbaugh was part of a base 4-2-5 defense. He was part of a multiple set in 2016, and he was in a base 4-3 from 2008 through 2012 and then in 2013 and 2014. True, he was in a 3-4 in 2015. But that is only two years in his 11 as a defensive assistant at an FBS program in which he has coached in a base 3-4, and then there’s basically half a year.

So how much of an effect will this have on the Vols’ new defensive line coach? He is, after all, a co-defensive coordinator. That means he’s going to have a hand in actually scheming for the defense, and you have to wonder if there will be a clash of styles. Pruitt has downplayed it in the past, and it is true that due to personnel, he’s been a bit more multiple the past two years.

However, Vol fans all remember what happened in Derek Dooley’s third season, back in 2012. Sal Sunseri tried to introduce a 3-4, and that was the one thing that derailed the season. UT is already acclimated to the 3-4, but a guy more familiar with a base defense involving four people up front could create a clash. And yes, that’s a potential concern.