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Tennessee football: Ranking 15 options to replace Kodi Burns as Vols WR coach

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee wide receivers coach Kodi Burns at the 2021 Music City Bowl NCAA college football game at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn. on Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021.Kns Tennessee Purdue
Tennessee wide receivers coach Kodi Burns at the 2021 Music City Bowl NCAA college football game at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn. on Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021.Kns Tennessee Purdue /
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Tennessee running back Montario Hardesty (2) scores a 2nd half touchdown against South Carolina. Teammate Tennessee center Cody Sullins (66) congratulates him.Utusc Jh6
Tennessee running back Montario Hardesty (2) scores a 2nd half touchdown against South Carolina. Teammate Tennessee center Cody Sullins (66) congratulates him.Utusc Jh6 /

Scouting Report. Running backs coach. 850. 4. player. Pick Analysis. South Carolina Gamecocks. Montario Hardesty

Years at current position: 1

Speaking of rising stars and former Vols, Tennessee football has one right now in the backyard of a place they need to recruit heavily. Montario Hardesty played for the Vols from 2005 to 2009, and through 2008, he was constantly in the shadows of Gerald Riggs Jr., Lamarcus Coker and most notably Arian Foster.

All of those guys were gone by 2009, though, and with Lane Kiffin taking over, Hardesty got a year to himself. He rushed for 1,345 yards and 13 touchdowns while adding 302 receiving yards and another touchdown that year. Injuries derailed his pro career, but he was at least able to have a splash his final season on Rocky Top.

Hardesty has been an assistant coach since 2015, including one year as a quality control coach with Tennessee football under Jeremy Pruitt in 2018. In 2019 and 2020, he coached receivers for the Charlotte 49ers before joining Shane Beamer’s staff to coach running backs for the South Carolina Gamecocks.

Being from North Carolina and coaching there for two years combined with his current position in South Carolina can help the Vols build a strong pipeline into the Carolinas. His experience at UT specifically is obviously a plus. Add in the fact that he’s coached receivers and also has recruiting ties to Virginia, and he’s a great candidate for Rocky Top.

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