Tennessee has a full coaching staff just in time for spring practice. After head coach Josh Heupel announced the final hires before spring camp and media reports confirmed some other staff moves, here is a ranking of how valuable each coach is with their annual salary attached:
1. Defensive coordinator Tim Banks – $2.15-million
While many fans weren’t fond of Banks when the Vols struggled defensively early in Heupel’s career, it became obvious last season that he could put a solid defense on the field with the right players. Tennessee upped Banks’ salary to keep him from taking a head coaching job, which seems to be inevitable.
2. Defensive line coach Rodney Garner – $900,000
An old-school coach that can recruit at a high level and produce outstanding players once they get to college, Garner fielded one of the best defensive lines in the country last season. He’s well worth every penny.
3. Offensive line coach Glen Elarbee – $900,000
Elarbee helped develop former Vol center Cooper Mays into an All-SEC player, turned former Tennessee offensive tackle Darnell Wright into a first-round selection in the NFL Draft and coached through some tough injury situations last season. He may be under appreciated and should be held in higher regard.
4. Receivers coach Kelsey Pope – $550,000
Pope set the bar pretty high when he coached Jalin Hyatt in 2022 as the former Vol won the Biletnikoff Award as the nation’s best receiver. In Pope’s three years at Tennessee, the Vols have generated an SEC-best 22 individual 100-yard receiving games while sending at least one player to the NFL every season.
5. Tight ends coach Alec Abeln – $250,000
Since being hired as a full-time coach in 2023, Abeln has helped develop former Vol tight end Jacob Warren, guided Cal transfer McCallan Castles to a strong season in 2023, then did the same with Alabama transfer Miles Kitselman, who was arguably the most positive surprise of the 2024 season. Now, let’s see what Abeln can do with sophomore Ethan Davis. He has the ability to be elite.
6. Linebackers coach William Inge – $720,000
Inge is hard to judge because he’s had limited talent during his only year at Tennessee to this point. Keenan Pili suffered his second straight season-ending injuries early in 2024, Arion Carter was young, and Jeremiah Telander wasn’t ready to take over at middle linebacker. With more depth, we’ll have a better read on him after 2025.
7. Running backs coach De’Rail Sims – $350,000
In his one season at Tennessee, Sims did quite a bit. He produced running back Dylan Sampson, who was named SEC Offensive Player of the Year in 2024. Sims also deserves credit for preparing DeSean Bishop. Many didn’t think the redshirt freshman would be able to last throughout the season, but he did.
8. Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Joey Halzle – $850,000
It’s hard to defend this coaching hire, which was made when former UT offensive coordinator Alex Golesh was hired as South Florida’s head coach following the Vols’ spectacular season in 2022. Things just haven’t looked the same since Halzle took over for Golesh in 2023. When does that change, if ever?
9. Defensive backs coach Willie Martinez – $540,000
Fair or not, Banks has received most of the credit for the Vols’ defensive renaissance in 2024. It doesn’t help Martinez’ image that Tennessee seemed intent in keeping his retention for the 2025 season under wraps. Was Heupel forced to settle instead of upgrading?
10. Outside linebackers coach Levorn Harbin – $350,000
Harbin is set up for success this season with junior Arion Carter set to have a career year. Is it telling that Harbin doesn’t have a bio on UT’s website? https://utsports.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/levorn-harbin/5559
11. Special teams coordinator Evan Crabtree – $225,000
Again, no bio. Was this a desperation hire? https://utsports.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/evan-crabtree/5560
Financial figures per Footballscoop.com
