Get To Know New Tennessee Offensive Line Coach Glen Elarbee

Josh Heupel's new offensive line coach, as expected, is Glen Elarbee. Elarbee served as O Line coach at UCF with Heupel, but his career goes further than Orlando.

Josh Heupel’s new staff is coming into focus, as he has brought several expected staff members with him, as well as one surprise. One of the expected hires that Heupel has made was bringing his offensive line coach at both UCF and Missouri, Glen Elarbee, to the same position on his staff in Knoxville. Elarbee arrives in Knoxville having shared in much of the offensive success that Heupel has seen. Twice nominated for the Broyles Award, given each year to the best assistant coach in the country, Elarbee is one of the most successful and decorated offensive line coaches in the country.

During his time at UCF, from 2018-2020, Elarbee’s lines twice paved the way for offenses that averaged over 200 rushing yards per game. His 2018 unit had four players selected to the All-AAC team, and three in the 2019 season. Elarbee’s units paved the way for the most successful rushing season in UCF history in 2018, where the Golden Knights ran for over 3200 yards. The Knights also ranked in the top twenty in the nation in terms of giving up sacks. Overall, UCF not only maintained a line that was dominant in the running game, the unit also thrived protecting their quarterback, allowing Heupel’s passing offense to thrive by giving their quarterback time to view the field, process information, and step into their throws as they delivered passes to their receivers. The success of the offensive line at UCF was directly tied to the success of the offense overall.

Heupel and Elarbee first worked together when Heupel was the offensive coordinator at Missouri. Elarbee served as the offensive line coach under Heupel for the Tigers from 2016-2017. When Elarbee arrived in Columbia in 2016, he inherited a line with no returning starters. In 2015, the Tigers had rated not better than 113th in the nation in any major offensive category. In 2016, Elarbee’s unit led the nation in fewest tackles for loss allowed, were 16th in the nation in sacks allowed, and the Tigers had the 13th ranked total offense in the country. In recognition of his part in the turnaround, Elarbee was first nominated for the Broyles Award in 2016 (and then again in his first season at UCF in 2018). During his two years with the Tigers, Elarbee built and developed one of the best offensive line groups in the SEC and indeed, in the nation. They were effective run blockers, excellent pass protectors, but above everything else, they minimized negative plays. That hallmark of Elarbee’s units, especially when working with Heupel, kept their offense on schedule and out of bad situations. 

Elarbee has experience coaching offensive lines successfully outside of working with Heupel. In 2014-2015, Elarbee was the offensive line coach and co-offensive coordinator for the Arkansas state Red Wolves. The Red Wolves had the 12tb ranked rushing offense and the number 15 scoring offense in the country in 2015, en route to a Sun Belt Title. Elarbee spent the 2013 season with the Houston Cougars and the 2012 season coaching at his Alma Mater, Middle Tennessee State. Under Elarbee in 2012, the Blue Raiders were the number 2 offensive line in terms of sacks allowed in the nation. Elarbee spent 2010 as the offensive line coach at West Georgia, and 2011 as the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach. The 2008 and 2009 seasons saw Elarbee serving as a graduate assistant for Oklahoma State, and 2007 saw him as a grad assistant for LSU in a national championship season. He spent 2006 as the offensive line coach of East Central Community College, working his only season in the JUCO ranks. Elarbee spent 2003-2005 working his first stint at MTSU, two years at a graduate assistant and his final season as tight ends coach. Before coaching for the Blue Raiders, he had a decorated career there as a player, a four year starter, two time All-Conference selection, and a key player in MTSU’s first Sun Belt Championship team in 2001. The Carrollton, Georgia native has been well-traveled in his coaching career, and success has followed him for most of his journey.

Tennessee’s offensive line performed as well as could be expected in 2020. They struggled at times in pass protection and to open gaping holes in the running game, however most of that comes back to questionable calling. The Vols were regularly running straight into the A gap into nine and even ten man boxes. There is only so much the starting five up front can do against that. Similarly, the Vols often only passed the ball in third and very long. The predictable offense allowed opposing defenses to tee off against Volunteer quarterbacks. This, coupled with Jarrett Guarantano’a tendency to hold the ball far too long, fumble it when hit, or throw interceptions even when protected well, made things that much harder on the line. In Elarbee, the Vols add an offensive line coach that has had proven, high level success in the SEC, away from Josh Heupel, and working with Heupel. Despite graduation and transfers. Tennessee still has a talented core of players up front with players like Jerome Carvin, Darnell Wright, Javontez Spraggins, Cade Mays, Cooper Mays, Chris Akporopghene, and Jackson Lampley returning. If Elarbee can get similar results from this group that he has managed in most of the stops in his career, it could mean early success for the Volunteers on offense, something Heupel is counting on.