Quote from Vols starter should ease concerns about the biggest worry with new Tennessee defensive coordinator Jim Knowles
The Tennessee Vols hired Jim Knowles earlier this month to replace Tim Banks as the program’s defensive coordinator.
When the Tennessee Vols hired Jim Knowles earlier this month to replace Tim Banks as the program’s defensive coordinator, it didn’t take long for fans of Ohio State and Penn State — Knowles’ previous two employers — to issue a warning to UT fans.
The warning?
That Knowles’ defense is famously complex and can take time for players to learn.
“It’s complicated. It’s very complicated,” said Penn State interim head coach Terry Smith of Knowles’ defense in October.
Knowles is aware of the reputation around his defense, and making it easier for players to grasp is something he continues to work on.
“Yes to both,” said Knowles in August when asked if his defense is complicated and takes time to learn. “I think in today’s game of football, it needs to be somewhat complicated because you need to have answers for everything — particularly at this level. Offenses don’t run the same things in college. You better have all different kinds of answers.
“For teaching and installing, I’ve gotten better at it, I’ve had to particularly when you come into a situation like this. Our charge is to be great now. If it’s too complicated, or if I can’t get it installed quickly, that’s my fault. I think I’ve developed a process that help move it along at a more rapid pace.”
Quote from Vols linebacker Jeremiah Telander should ease concerns about players learning Jim Knowles’ defense
Vols junior linebacker Jeremiah Telander met with reporters on Tuesday and he was asked how excited he is to learn Knowles’ scheme.
The Georgia native pointed out that he plans to make flashcards to help him and his teammates learn the new defense.
“Extremely excited,” said Telander. “I was telling Edwin (Spillman) earlier, I want to get that install as soon as we possibly can — so we can start making flashcards and start quizzing each other. It’s going to be an exciting challenge. I’m looking forward to it.”
Telander also noted that it’s a “clean slate” for everyone as Knowles’ evaluates players during bowl prep (linebackers coach William Inge is serving as the interim defensive coordinator for bowl prep, but Knowles is on campus observing).
“I told everybody, it’s a clean slate,” said Telander. “It’s like we’re all freaking freshmen again. Even today, he’s in the back just watching everybody. It’s a clean slate. But at the end of the day, if you do what you’re supposed to do every day, you just got to be yourself.”
If all of Tennessee’s defensive players carry that same approach into learning Knowles’ scheme, then fans should quickly see a much improved defensive product on the field for the Volunteers next fall.
Tennessee Volunteers News
Will new Vols defensive coordinator Jim Knowles coach from the press box or the sideline at Tennessee?
One of the questions that fans have about new Tennessee Vols defensive coordinator Jim Knowles is whether he’ll coach from the sideline or the press box on game days. Most offensive coordinators coach from the press box — so they can get a clearer picture of what’s happening on the field. Many defensive coordinators will […]
