Garner Highlights Tennessee's Defensive Line's Decline in Practice
Tennessee football is without veteran defensive line coach Rodney Garner on the field in spring practice. Here's the reason behind his absence.
Tennessee football kicked off spring practice without a key member of its team on the field: veteran defensive line coach Rodney Garner . UT confirmed to Knox News that Garner had a “planned medical procedure” that will keep him sidelined for an undetermined period of time. New edge rushers coach AJ Jackson is filling in for Garner at practice.
Defensive analysts Lorenzo Neal Jr. and Nick Brautigam are assisting Jackson. Garner is still fulfilling some coaching duties off the field during his recovery.
“(Garner) had a planned medical procedure and has not been medically cleared to be at practice,” UT spokesman Bill Martin said. “He’s been participating in some meetings. We wish him a speedy recovery, and he will get back out here as soon as he can.
” Garner is regarded as one of college football’s best assistant coaches. He has produced 36 NFL draft picks in his 36-year SEC coaching career at Auburn, Georgia and Tennessee, and that list will grow in the upcoming draft. Despite turning over most of UT’s defensive coaching staff, new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles retained Garner because of his immense respect for the veteran coach.