Vols insider shares the latest on Tennessee running backs coach De’Rail Sims after he was connected to the Miami Hurricanes
Tennessee Vols running backs coach De’Rail Sims was recently connected to the Miami Hurricanes.
Late last week, CaneSport mentioned Tennessee Vols running backs coach De’Rail Sims as a candidate for the Miami Hurricanes’ vacant running backs coach position.
Sims has served as Tennessee’s running backs coach for the last two seasons (2024 and 2025).
“Sources have told CaneSport that Sims is in the mix to replace departed coach Matt Merritt, who went to the Arizona Cardinals,” wrote CaneSport’s Gary Ferman.
“His roots in South Carolina and extensive coaching stops across the Southeast have allowed him to build a solid network,” added Ferman. “And Sims is also just in his early 40s and known for the energy he brings to his coaching.”
Miami is in search of a new running backs coach after losing Matt Merritt, a former Vols offensive analyst, to the Arizona Cardinals.
Vols insider shares the latest on De’Rail Sims after he was connected to Miami
VolQuest’s Austin Price joined WNML’s Josh and Swain on Wednesday and he shared the latest on Sims and the Miami job.
“I don’t believe so,” said Price when asked if he thinks anything is real between Sims and Miami. “I’ve talked to him a couple of different times and he’s downplayed anything about that — and [he] has downplayed it to multiple people that I’ve talked to. So, at this point in time, obviously things can change, but as we sit here on Wednesday, it feels like Tennessee will be able to keep their running backs coach.”
It’s certainly good news for the Vols that Sims is trending to stay at Tennessee. Sims has done a good job with the running backs the last two seasons, and he’s built a solid relationship with 2027 five-star running back David Gabriel Georges (Tennessee’s top recruiting target). Having to replace Sims just weeks before spring practice starts would be a setback for UT’s coaching staff.
As Price said, you never say never in college football these days, but it sounds like the Vols are going to be able to keep Sims despite interest from the Hurricanes.
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