Vols insider gives latest on Auburn's attempt to poach Tennessee DL coach Rodney Garner
The Auburn Tigers are in need of a new defensive line coach after Jeremy Garrett left last week to become the new defensive line coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars. One potential option to replace Garrett at Tennessee is Tennessee Vols defensive line coach Rodney Garner, who played at Auburn and was an assistant at his […]
The Auburn Tigers are in need of a new defensive line coach after Jeremy Garrett left last week to become the new defensive line coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars.
One potential option to replace Garrett at Tennessee is Tennessee Vols defensive line coach Rodney Garner, who played at Auburn and was an assistant at his alma mater from 1990 to 1995 and 2013 to 2020 (Garner was also teammates in college with Auburn co-defensive coordinator Charles Kelly).
VolQuest's Austin Price joined 104.5 The Zone's "Ramon, Kayla, and Will" on Tuesday morning and he addressed the speculation about Auburn's interest in Garner.
"At this time, I don't see any movement (with Tennessee's coaching staff)," said Price. "Now, Auburn doesn't have a defensive line coach. A lot of people have asked about Rodney Garner. I believe people at Auburn have reached out to Rodney Garner. But at this time, I do not believe he will leave. Now, that is his alma mater, so if they keep swinging, you never say never. But I don't believe at this time, as we sit here on Tuesday morning at 8:14 your time (central time), that that's heading in that direction. I think Rodney has been in the office, he's been in meetings, he's been watching winter workouts. I mean, he has been every bit a part of Tennessee football. And to me, right now, I just don't see him leaving. So at this point, I do not see any changes (with Tennessee's coaching staff)."
Price also noted that Garner is set to have a left knee replacement later this week.
You never say never when it comes to coaching changes — especially when a coach's alma mater is involved. But for now, it sounds like the expectation is that Garner will remain in Knoxville for at least another season.
If Auburn, however, finds a way to convince Garner to return to the Plains, senior defensive analyst Levorn Harbin, AKA "Coach Chop", would be the top in-house option to take over as the Vols' defensive line coach.
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