Tennessee running backs coach Jerry Mack is set to leave Knoxville and head for the NFL.

According to a report from FootballScoop’s John Brice, Mack is expected to leave UT after three seasons with the program and join the Jacksonville Jaguars. A deal has not yet been finalized, but both sides are working to make Mack the organization’s next running backs coach, according to Brice.

Matt Zenitz of 247Sports first reported that Mack had emerged as a top target.

It’s a blow for coach Josh Heupel. Mack is regarded as an up-and-comer in the industry, and his impact on the UT backfield was immediately felt.

In 2020, Tennessee’s rushing attack ranked 11th in the SEC for overall efficiency. The ground game produced just 3.8 yards per carry. And in the three prior seasons, the Vols’ rushing attack ranked either 13th or 14th in the SEC in per-carry efficiency.

In 2021, UT averaged 4.9 yards per carry to rank seventh in the league. In 2022, UT averaged 5 yards per carry. And in 2023, the Vols ranked second in the SEC at 5.5 yards per carry.

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Jaylen Wright ran for 1,013 yards and four touchdowns. Dylan Sampson added 604 yards and seven touchdowns. Jabari Small had 475 yards and two scores. All three backs averaged at least 5 yards per carry in spite of the struggles the passing game endured. With the transition from Hendon Hooker to Joe Milton III, UT wasn’t the same through the air. Mack’s backs helped to mitigate that development.

Tennessee’s explosive run rate of 18.6% was the second-best among SEC teams in 2023.

Prior to Tennessee, Mack had stints at Rice (2017-20), NC Central (2014-17), South Alabama (2012-13), and Memphis (2011). He got his first full-time position in 2006 as the wide receivers and tight ends coach at Jackson State.