Tennessee Vols: Why Charles Kelly turning down Maryland is a big deal for UT
Tennessee Vols assistant coach Charles Kelly, who coaches special teams and safeties on Rocky Top, turned down an offer this week to become the new defensive coordinator at Maryland. When I heard the news that Kelly was deciding to stay in Knoxville (pending Alabama's pursuit of him), I was quite surprised. Not because I thought […]
Tennessee Vols assistant coach Charles Kelly, who coaches special teams and safeties on Rocky Top, turned down an offer this week to become the new defensive coordinator at Maryland.
When I heard the news that Kelly was deciding to stay in Knoxville (pending Alabama's pursuit of him), I was quite surprised. Not because I thought Kelly wanted to leave, but because a Power-5 defensive coordinator job would seemingly be a promotion for Kelly.
While it's still possible that Kelly leaves Tennessee, it's a big deal that he didn't bolt at the first opportunity.
After all, Kelly previously served as Florida State's defensive coordinator for four seasons (he succeeded Jeremy Pruitt), so the assumption would be that he wants to attempt to climb the coaching ladder again.
It's clear that Kelly is extremely loyal to Pruitt and he isn't going to leave for just any job. Kelly obviously believes that being the special teams coordinator/safeties coach at Tennessee is a better job than being a defensive coordinator at a Big 10 school.
That's extremely important for the future of success of the Vols' football program. Tennessee has to set themselves apart from other schools. That means Tennessee has to start out recruiting other programs not only for top players, but also for top assistant coaches.
And Kelly certainly qualifies as a top assistant coach. Anytime a program can have a former Power-5 defensive coordinator serving as a position coach, it's a win.
Kelly, a graduate of Auburn, has nearly 30 years of coaching experience. He also brings a dynamic recruiting presence to Pruitt's staff (he was one of the main recruiters for Harrison Bailey, Jaylen McCollough and Ramel Keyton). He's undoubtedly an important part of Pruitt's coaching staff.
The Vols had one of the best staffs in the SEC entering the 2018 season. After a 5-7 season, Pruitt was somehow able to upgrade his staff by bringing in Jim Chaney and Tee Martin.
At this point, Pruitt has more on-the-field coaches (11) than available spots (10). But that's a good problem to have.
There's still going to be some staff shuffling that takes place this off-season. And it's still possible that Kelly ends up leaving Tennessee.
But it's going to take a better opportunity than being the defensive coordinator at Maryland for Kelly to make the jump.
I think that says a lot about where the Vols are and where their coaching staff believes they're going.
Update:
It looks like Kelly is heading to Alabama.
Featured image via Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
