The Tennessee Vols are reportedly moving on from a longtime assistant coach.

CBS Sports college football insider Matt Zenitz reported on Thursday evening that Tennessee is parting ways with secondary coach Willie Martinez.

Martinez had served on Josh Heupel’s staff at Tennessee since 2021. He was also an assistant at Tennessee under Butch Jones from 2013 to 2016.

Tennessee and defensive backs coach Willie Martinez are expected to part ways, sources tell @CBSSports.

Has worked for the Vols the last five seasons. pic.twitter.com/fexgQ4y4Qn

— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) January 2, 2026

Willie Martinez isn’t the only staff member who won’t return in 2026

Martinez isn’t the only Vols coach that won’t return in 2026.

News broke earlier on Thursday that Tennessee isn’t renewing strength coach Kurt Schmidt’s contract.

Additionally, the Vols are reportedly hiring Penn State’s Andrew Jackson to a “front seven coaching role”. That move likely means that outside linebackers coach Levorn Harbin won’t return next fall.

New Vols defensive coordinator Jim Knowles is expected to have his coaching staff finalized by the end of the weekend.

Update:

Zenitz reported that Tennessee is hiring Ohio State assistant defensive backs coach Michael Hunter to coach cornerbacks.

Tennessee is expected to hire Ohio State’s Michael Hunter as cornerbacks coach, sources tell @CBSSports.

The ex-NFL DB was assistant defensive backs coach at Ohio State the last two years. Previously worked with new Vols DC at Jim Knowles at both Ohio State and Oklahoma State. pic.twitter.com/LdFx7m37bb

— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) January 2, 2026