Vols Fine Tuning Secondary Under New Assistant Coaches

(utsports.com)– Tennessee football completed its 12th practice of the spring Tuesday, continuing to make strides in the secondary under new assistant coaches Anthony Poindexter and Derek Jones.

With spring practice nearing its conclusion, both coaches pointed to growing confidence, competition and cohesion within the group.

Poindexter, Tennessee’s co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach, emphasized how continuity within the staff has accelerated progress in his second year working with coordinator Jim Knowles.

“We’re much further ahead as a defense with the players, but as a staff as well,” Poindexter said. “We kind of know what Coach (Jim Knowles) wants, how he wants it to look… We’re light years ahead of where we were a year ago (at Penn State).”

That familiarity has led to improved execution on the back end, where a smart, competitive group of safeties continues to take ownership.

On the cornerback side, Jones has emphasized competition and unity, with both returners and newcomers pushing for roles.

“My mission coming in here was not to develop one or two players. It was to develop a unit,” Jones said. “You have to have multiple guys in your room that can play if you expect to win championships.”

The Vols return to the practice field Thursday before concluding the spring portion of the calendar with the Orange & White Game on Saturday, April 11, in Neyland Stadium.