Contract details emerge for new Tennessee assistant coach Kevin Steele
While it’s not yet known what Kevin Steele’s specific role will be on Jeremy Pruitt’s staff at Tennessee and what position group he will oversee, we know that he’ll be involved with the defense in some form and fashion alongside coordinator Derrick Ansley.
The Volunteers on Tuesday officially announced the hiring of the former Auburn defensive coordinator, and according to the Knoxville News-Sentinel, it will be on a 2-year deal with Steele’s annual salary set at $450,000.
It’s a homecoming for the former Vols linebacker, who played in Knoxville in the late 1970s and served on the coaching staff for 3 seasons after graduation before returning as defensive backs coach in 1987 and 1988.
Pruitt is banking on Steele’s experience and ties to the area to help improve a Tennessee defense that was 7th in the SEC in both points allowed and yards allowed. And the heat is certainly on for Pruitt to improve the program’s fortunes following his 3rd season at Rocky Top. After an 8-5 mark and a 5-3 conference finish in 2019, the Volunteers struggled to a 3-7 record in 2020.
“Jeremy Pruitt’s staff”
My fat *ss
$450k yearly is a steal
Well he is making 5 million for not coaching at AU. He can afford it.
Lol no he’s not
Good coach, terrible recruiter. He is not very personable either. If it does not divide the staff he will do good work on the field.
He’s not a bad coach, but nothing really great either. Typical way that Tennessee has been going, instead of finding a new defensive mind maybe from the pro ranks this is what they do. Maybe he will surprise me…but if your going that route why not give John Chavis the nod.
My question would be, who from Tennessee made the call, Pruitt or Fulmer.
All reports, if you can believe them, are pruitt hired him to coach linebackers. Lots of rumors, conspiracies and speculation though. One is that Ansley is actively searching for a new gig and if he gets one steele probably steps into the DC role. speculation that should pruitt be retained and get fired midway through 2021 season steele could take over as interim though if Pruitt hired him im sure that wasnt in his plan:)
At least you guys got your DC role covered.
Was Tennessee not in a self-proclaimed “hiring freeze” ? If so how does Pruitt have the authority to hire anyone ? He’s a lame duck duck head coach.
Derek Ansley can recruit but can’t coach worth shat. Only reason he is still there is recruiting. They brought Steele into coach defense period. Ansley is just window dressing.
He is the coach in waiting. And he ain’t waiting long.