Breaking: Tennessee to Hire Rodney Garner as DL Coach

Matt Ray | Feb 11, 2021

Rodney Garner has been one of the hot topics around Tennessee's new defensive coaching staff. Now, it appears he will officially join the Vols, according to a report from Pete Thamel.

Sources: Tennessee is hiring Rodney Garner as the defensive line coach. He was last at Auburn and brings extensive SEC experience, including stints at Georgia and Tennessee.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) February 12, 2021

According to Garner's Bio at Auburn:

"In 2017, SEC West champion Auburn ranked 14th in total defense and 12th in scoring defense, allowing just 4.67 yards per play, eighth-best nationally. All-American Jeff Holland, a first-team all-SEC pick, had 10 sacks, 13 TFL and 22 QB hurries.

In 2016, the Tigers ranked seventh nationally in scoring defense, 11th in red zone defense and 28th in total defense, and held eight consecutive opponents without a rushing TD, the longest season streak at Auburn since 1957. Montravius Adams (Green Bay) and Carl Lawson (Cincinnati) were 2017 NFL draft selections."

Garner has been a key fixture at Auburn, and helped develop top-ten draft pick, Derrick Brown.

He becomes the first official defensive hire for Josh Heupel. He is already in Knoxville, according to Jayson Swain of the Swain Event.

Published Feb 11, 2021

MATT RAY

Matt Ray is the publisher of Sports Illustrated-FanNation's Volunteer Country, serving as a beat reporter covering football, recruiting, and occasionally other sports. Matt also is a lead analyst at Sports Illustrated All-American, Sports Illustrated lead authority in high school recruiting coverage. When not at work covering the Tennessee Volunteers or the recruiting trail, Matt enjoys spending time with his wife Destiny traveling the country.