The staff shake up on Rocky Top continues as Jeremy Pruitt is set to name Joe Osovet Tennessee’s new tight ends coach. This news has not been officially announced at this time but a source close to the situation has informed SDS of the move.

Osovet is entering his third season on Pruitt’s staff after being hired from the junior college ranks, he previously served as head coach of ASA College in New York. Osovet was hired at Tennessee as an offensive analyst but was soon promoted to Director of Programming for Football for Pruitt’s program. His move to the full-time Tennessee staff marks his second promotion as he enters his third season in Knoxville.

During his time in the junior college ranks, Osovet was named 2014 USA Sports Writer JUCO Coach of the Year and two Northeast Football Conference Coach of the Year awards. His head coaching record is 33-11.

Since arriving at Tennessee, Osovet has helped implement his RPO system into Jim Chaney’s offense and he’s been an impressive recruiter for the Vols during his tenure on Rocky Top. Osovet has been responsible for several four-star players committed to Tennessee, which is all the more impressive when you consider he could not go out on the road and recruit for the Vols until the last few weeks — Osovet was given that ability following David Johnson’s departure to FSU.

What does this news mean for former Tennessee tight ends coach, Brian Niedermeyer? According to David Ubben of The Athletic, Osovet’s promotion to Tennessee’s full-time staff means Niedermeyer will move to the defensive staff for Pruitt.

Pruitt’s current Tennessee staff

  • Jim Chaney – Offensive coordinator
  • Derrick Ansley – Defensive coordinator/DBs
  • Chris Rumph – co-Defensive coordinator/OLBs
  • Tee Martin – Receivers 
  • Will Friend – Offensive line
  • Jay Graham – Running backs
  • Brian Niedermeyer – Defense
  • Joe Osovet – Tight ends
  • Tracy Rocker – Defensive line
  • Chris Weinke – Quarterbacks