Former Tennessee Vols quarterback named as an NFL head coaching candidate for the upcoming offseason
A former Tennessee Vols quarterback could be on the verge of becoming an NFL head coach.
A former Tennessee Vols quarterback was named this week by NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero as one of the “24 young candidates to know” for the 2026 NFL head coaching cycle.
Pelissero pointed out Indianapolis Colts offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter as a candidate to know ahead of this offseason’s NFL coaching cycle.
Cooter is a former Volunteer quarterback who played at Tennessee in the mid-2000s.
“A one-time backup quarterback at Tennessee, Cooter was just 31 when he took over as the Lions’ play-caller in 2015 and instantly sparked a turnaround for Matthew Stafford and Detroit’s offense,” wrote Pelissero. “A decade later, he’s an integral piece of Indianapolis’ No. 1-ranked offense, even though head coach Shane Steichen calls the plays.
“Steichen loves Cooter because he lives in the details — leverage, spacing, timing, intent behind each look — that can change the entire picture. Cooter’s ability to stay one step ahead has been integral to the Colts’ process and is one reason other teams may be intrigued to spend more time getting to know him.”
Cooter spent two seasons as a graduate assistant at Tennessee after his playing career was over, before landing in the NFL as an offensive assistant with the Colts in 2009.
The former Vol spent time with Tennessee legend Peyton Manning in Indianapolis and with the Denver Broncos. Cooter was an offensive assistant with the Broncos in 2013, a season in which Peyton set numerous NFL records.
Cooter, who turned 41 this past summer, has also served as the Detroit Lions’ offensive coordinator and the New York Jets’ running backs coach.
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