Tennessee Vols assistant gives statement that all UT fans will appreciate

Tennessee Vols defensive line coach Rodney Garner delivered a quote on Monday that I'm pretty sure all UT fans will love. Garner met with reporters after the Vols' seventh fall practice to discuss a variety of topics. The veteran defensive line coach touched on the expectations at Tennessee. And he made it clear that going […]

Zach Ragan — Tennessee Volunteers News Writer
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Tennessee Vols defensive line coach Rodney Garner delivered a quote on Monday that I'm pretty sure all UT fans will love.

Garner met with reporters after the Vols' seventh fall practice to discuss a variety of topics.

The veteran defensive line coach touched on the expectations at Tennessee. And he made it clear that going 7-6 isn't the standard in Knoxville.

Tennessee Vols
Tennessee defensive line coach Rodney Garner at the 2021 Music City Bowl NCAA college football game at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn. on Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021.Kns Tennessee Purdue

"I think we exceeded the expectations (last season) for everybody, except for the guys in the room and probably the coaching staff," said Garner. "But nobody came to Tennessee, I think, to say they want to be 7-6. That is not the standard. We're moving in the right direction, but everybody when they look in the mirror, they can see where we can get better."

"If we want to be great, then we gotta get comfortable being uncomfortable," added Garner. "That's what it takes."

Every bit of what Garner said should be music to the ears of Vols fans.

Tennessee definitely exceeded expectations last season. But no one inside the building at UT is getting overly excited because the team went 7-6 last year.

That's not even close to where this program wants to be under Josh Heupel. And it's obvious that the entire coaching staff, along with the players, share that mindset.

The Vols are trending in the right direction. But there's still a lot of work to be done. And Tennessee has to show this season that they can take another big step forward under Heupel. Another 7-6 season would be a massive disappointment.

Fortunately for UT fans, Garner, who is one of the best defensive line coaches in college football, agrees.

Featured image via Saul Young/News Sentinel via Imagn Content Services

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