A familiar crew fuels Jim Knowles’ defensive overhaul at Tennessee this spring
Jim Knowles has installed new defenses in a lot of places. Having familiar faces around is making the experience much smoother this spring at Tennessee. Volunteers coach Josh Heupel not only hired Knowles as his new defensive coordinator in December, he added three defensive assistants who’ve worked with Knowles in the past.
Four players also followed Knowles from Penn State to Knoxville through the transfer portal. “That’s unique. I haven’t been in that before,” Knowles said of the portal.
“So, I think it gives us really a step up. I know there were some struggles last year on defense, but the year before that they were pretty good, so we’re not starting at ground zero. ” How well this new defense comes together won’t truly be tested until the season opener Sept.
5 against Furman. The first public look comes as Tennessee wraps up spring practice with the annual Orange & White game. The Vols reached the 2024 College Football Playoff with a defense ranked fourth nationally, holding opponents to 13.
9 points a game before losing to eventual national champ Ohio State. Knowles was the Buckeyes’ defensive coordinator in that game. Tennessee dropped to 91st in 2025, allowing 28.