Tennessee Vols make key hire that should lead to more recruiting success in the state of Georgia
The Tennessee Vols are reportedly making a smart, under-the-radar hire that should lead to more recruiting success in the state of Georgia. According to On3's Phillip Dukes, Tennessee is hiring Steven Ruzic as a member of the Vols' recruiting and personnel staff. Ruzic, a native of Warner Robbins, GA, has spent time working in player […]
The Tennessee Vols are reportedly making a smart, under-the-radar hire that should lead to more recruiting success in the state of Georgia.
According to On3's Phillip Dukes, Tennessee is hiring Steven Ruzic as a member of the Vols' recruiting and personnel staff.
Ruzic, a native of Warner Robbins, GA, has spent time working in player personnel at Indiana, Auburn, North Carolina, Minnesota, and Ole Miss.
In 2022, Ruzic was named to 247Sports' annual 30-under-30 list, which highlights some of the top young coaches in college football.
From 247Sports: One of the youngest Director of Player Personnels on the Power Five level, Ruzic has shown to be a dynamic recruiter early in his career and is now in charge of Auburn’s scouting department. Ruzic arrived at Auburn earlier this offseason after a year at North Carolina as the program’s Assistant Director of Player Personnel. Before that he spent three years as Minnesota’s Director of Recruiting Communications, where he helped land those like True Freshman All-American Justin Walley. Ruzic has also made stops at Ole Miss, UT Chattanooga and Valdosta State. Said one source of Ruzic: “He should absolutely be on the list.”
During Ruzic's time at Auburn, he was considered an extremely important part of the Tigers' recruiting efforts in Georgia. He has strong connections to high schools in Georgia and with the 7-on-7 circuits that are critical in recruiting.
From 247Sports: We’re told Ruzic is plugged in all over but especially in the ultra-important state of Georgia. He knows the lay of the land there, from Macon south to Valdosta and from Albany east to Brunswick….Ruzic, who grew up in Warner Robins — where his father coached for 20-plus years at the high school level — and has connections in consistent prospect-producing communities such as Valdosta and Moultrie. But when it comes to the Peach State, Ruzic also has ties to more than a few coaches in the metro-Atlanta area, too. And not just at the high schools. He’s also, sources said, plugged in with those who coach on the 7-on-7 circuits. Both of these things are invaluable in recruiting.
This is a massive addition for the Vols, even though it won't generate a ton of headlines. The on-field coaches get most of the attention when it comes to recruiting, but a lot of these battles are won by guys like Ruzic.
Ruzic, by the way, has a connection to one of Tennessee's most recent staff additions, too. Last week, Cayden Cochran joined the Vols' staff as an an offensive analyst. Cochran, who spent one season at Oklahoma when Josh Heupel was the Sooners' offensive coordinator, won a DII national championship at Valdosta State. Ruzic was a student defensive assistant at Valdosta State during that same season.
New addition to Tennessee Vols coaching staff grew up idolizing Josh Heupel
Nice move by Josh Heupel
