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Tennessee football: Breaking down Vols’ new defensive coaching staff

By Caleb Calhoun

KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 29: A general view of Neyland Stadium during the South Carolina Gamecocks game against the Tennessee Volunteers on October 29, 2011 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 29: A general view of Neyland Stadium during the South Carolina Gamecocks game against the Tennessee Volunteers on October 29, 2011 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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Tennessee head coach Butch Jones and coach Willie Martinez, right, both react as an extra point kick flies through the air during the second half at Neyland Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016. Jones And Martinez React 2016
Tennessee head coach Butch Jones and coach Willie Martinez, right, both react as an extra point kick flies through the air during the second half at Neyland Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016. Jones And Martinez React 2016 /

4. Willie Martinez

Secondary

We go to another assistant who will split coaching duties somewhat with another person. Tennessee football’s defensive coordinator, who we’ll get to soon, also has a background coaching defensive backs and will have his hand in working with the cornerbacks. As a result, Willie Martinez is going to be sharing his work coaching this unit.

However, given the fact that the base defense will run a lot of nickel, having five defensive backs on the field will likely require multiple coaches here. Martinez will have a focus on the secondary, and he is returning to Rocky Top after spending four years there from 2013 to 2016 working under Butch Jones.

Since then, Martinez spent a year under Luke Fickell with the Cincinnati Bearcats and then the past three years with Josh Heupel at the UCF Knights. As a result, Martinez brings familiarity with UT and familiarity with Heupel to the staff.

Beyond that, he brings familiarity with the roster, as he recruited some of the older guys at the position, including Alontae Taylor and Theo Jackson before leaving last time. Spending time with the Oklahoma Sooners, Georgia Bulldogs and Auburn Tigers before that gives him experience in multiple power five conferences.

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