New Vols LBs coach William Inge reveals hilarious nickname for Tennessee LB Keenan Pili
William Inge hasn't been on the job long as the Tennessee Vols' new linebackers coach, but he's quickly getting to know his new players. That includes redshirt senior linebacker Keenan Pili, who transferred to Tennessee from BYU ahead of the 2023 season. Pili, who is entering his seventh season as a college football player, will […]
William Inge hasn't been on the job long as the Tennessee Vols' new linebackers coach, but he's quickly getting to know his new players.
That includes redshirt senior linebacker Keenan Pili, who transferred to Tennessee from BYU ahead of the 2023 season.
Pili, who is entering his seventh season as a college football player, will turn 26 years old in May, making him one of the oldest players in college football.
Inge met with the media on Monday for the first time since replacing Brian Jean-Mary as Tennessee's linebackers coach and he revealed the hilarious (and appropriate) nickname that the team has bestowed on Pili.
"Keenan, we call him Uncle Grandpa because he is the old veteran," said Inge. "It is so funny, we were talking in some meetings today just about what you did over the weekend….He does home improvements with his wife."
Pili is returning to Tennessee in 2024 after suffering a season-ending injury in the Vols' season-opener against Virginia last season.
The former BYU standout will provide the Vols' defense with plenty of experience at the linebacker position this fall. And his excellent coverage skills should help Tennessee's pass defense improve in defensive coordinator Tim Banks' fourth season in Knoxville.
Pili should be approaching the end of his rookie contract in the NFL. Instead, he'll be going up against players, in some cases, that are just out of high school. That should be a massive advantage for Tennessee in 2024 as they attempt to reach their goal of making the 12-team College Football Playoff.
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