Former Vols football player sends heartfelt message to Tennessee after taking job with SEC rival
Football Scoop reported on Tuesday that former Tennessee Vols offensive lineman Jackson Lampley is joining the LSU Tigers' coaching staff as an offensive intern. Lampley, who is the son of former Vols offensive lineman Brad Lampley, played at Tennessee from 2019 to 2024. He made three starts during his time with the Volunteers. In 2024, […]
Football Scoop reported on Tuesday that former Tennessee Vols offensive lineman Jackson Lampley is joining the LSU Tigers' coaching staff as an offensive intern.
Lampley, who is the son of former Vols offensive lineman Brad Lampley, played at Tennessee from 2019 to 2024. He made three starts during his time with the Volunteers. In 2024, Lampley played 231 snaps.
Shortly after news broke that Lampley was joining Brian Kelly's staff at LSU, the former Vol posted a heartfelt message on social media about his time at Tennessee.
"For as long as I can remember, my dream in life was to be a Tennessee Volunteer and play in Neyland Stadium on fall Saturdays," wrote Lampley. "Not many people are fortunate enough to live out their dreams, and the six years I spent in Knoxville were as good as it gets. I am incredibly proud to have been part of a group of seniors that helped return Tennessee's program to to its rightful place in college football, culminating with a run to the College Football Playoff. I am going to cherish the relationships with my brothers in the locker room, as well as the support staff that make Tennessee such a special place-guys like Hawk, Max, Fraz, and Kirby in the equipment room, who will forever be family to me. And, to all the Vol fans that I've met from Memphis to Bristol, in places like Dickson, Dyersburg, and Lynchburg, the level of love and support that my teammates and I have felt from you is something that will stay with me the rest of my life. I simply cannot put into words what Tennessee — and my experience as a Volunteer — has meant to me.
"The game of football has always been my number one passion, and now it is time for me to turn to the next chapter in my football life. I am forever in debt to Coaches Heupel, Elarbee, Brooks, Golesh, and Halzle at Tennessee, and Coaches Euverard, Barclay, and Brock at MBA, all of whom have pushed and challenged me, chewing me out when I deserved it and hugging my neck when I needed it. Coaching has always been in my blood; my grandfather was a Hall of Fame coach, and as time has passed, I've realized that's what I want to do for my career. I've spent the last several months preparing to transition into coaching, and am deeply appreciative to all of the college coaches who have been supporting and encouraging me as I begin this journey. One of the biggest challenges in coaching is finding that first opportunity. The idea of getting that start at an elite program with a chance to earn my stripes and work under some of the best coaches and administrators in the country is almost too good to be true. And that's the way I feel today. I'm thrilled to be able to announce that I'm going to my college coaching journey by serving as an offensive coaching intern at LU. I am so grateful for this opportunity and can't wait to get to Baton Rouge and get to work. Geaux Tigers."
Experiencing an environment outside of Tennessee will be a positive for Lampley's growth as a coach. There are plenty of Vols fans on social media this week questioning why Lampley didn't land an intern job on Josh Heupel's staff at Tennessee. While I don't know the answer to that question, I do know that Lampley, as is the case with all up-and-coming coaches, needs to experience different coaching voices and different environments as he finds his identity as a coach. Joining Kelly's staff at LSU is a tremendous opportunity for Lampley that will undoubtedly help him grow as a coach.
And who knows, maybe Lampley will be back on Rocky Top one day serving in a key coaching role.
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