Watch: Elijah Simmons explains what it's like to play for Vols DL coach Rodney Garner
Tennessee Vols defensive line coach Rodney Garner arrived in Knoxville in early 2021 as an old-school, hard-nosed assistant who knows how to get the best out of his players. Whenever a coach has that reputation, I always wonder if it's exaggerated or not. You know, is it a media creation, or is this legitimately how […]
Tennessee Vols defensive line coach Rodney Garner arrived in Knoxville in early 2021 as an old-school, hard-nosed assistant who knows how to get the best out of his players.
Whenever a coach has that reputation, I always wonder if it's exaggerated or not.
You know, is it a media creation, or is this legitimately how this guy coaches?
In Garner's case, it's absolutely accurate. If you have any doubts, just listen to Vols redshirt senior defensive lineman respond to a question about playing for Garner.
If you're a Vols fan, you should absolutely love that response from Simmons.
First off, it's a good thing when a coach is coaching his players hard. It means he holds them to a high standard (as long as it's not some crazy coach going overboard).
The best part, though, about Simmons' quote is when he talks about Garner doing things together with the whole defensive line group and having fun. It's clear that Garner's defensive line group has a "family" vibe where they hold each other to a high standard while also loving each other.
Garner is one of the best in the business when it comes to defensive line coaches. The Vols still don't have the depth they need to win the SEC East, but they're getting there. And Garner is going to make sure the players he does have are more than ready to go this season.
Featured image via Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel via Imagn Content Services
