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Tennessee defensive assistant leaving Vols for return to Michigan
By Andrew Olson
Published:
Tennessee has another staff opening. Brian Jean-Mary is leaving his post as Tennessee’s linebackers coach, according to reports from the Knoxville News Sentinel and others.
Jean-Mary is departing UT for a return to Michigan. He served as linebackers coach on Jim Harbaugh’s staff in the 2020 season. Sherrone Moore, who has succeeded Harbaugh as Michigan’s head coach, was also on staff that season as the Wolverines’ tight ends coach.
Jean-Mary, 48, has over two decades of coaching experience. He got his start at Louisville in 2000 as a graduate assistant.
Following a three-year stint as Texas’ linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator, Jean-Mary returned to his home state of Florida to become USF’s assistant head coach, defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. Jean-Mary held that position for three seasons (2017-19) before going to Ann Arbor.
Jean-Mary was a member of Josh Heupel’s original Tennessee staff from 2021. Heupel saw two staffers leave after his first two seasons. After Year 3, however, there are two vacancies, with Jean-Mary leaving for Michigan and running backs coach Jerry Mack landing an NFL opportunity.
Tennessee went 9-4 in 2023, giving UT a 27-12 record in three seasons under Heupel. Vols fans can check out Tennessee online sportsbooks to bet on the team’s win total for 2024.
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
