While Tennessee fans sit and wait for Josh Heupel to hire a defensive coordinator, it appears the first-year Volunteer coach is close to finalizing his offensive staff.

The program has yet to officially name a single hire on Rocky Top but Heupel has put together an entire offensive coaching staff — Tennessee is expected to name Alex Golesh offensive coordinator (Heupel is planning to call the offensive plays for Tennessee), Glen Elarbee offensive line coach, Joey Halzle quarterbacks coach and Kodi Burns receivers coach —  minus a running backs coach.

According to Pete Thamel of Yahoo Sports, that position is expected to go to Rice offensive coordinator, Jerry Mack. Leading up to the 2019 season, Mack was named associate head coach at Rice.

Mack has been at Rice for three seasons after serving four seasons as the head coach at North Carolina Central University. During his four seasons at NCCU, Mack led the program to a 31-15 overall record and at least a share of three consecutive MEAC championships.

Following the 2016 season, Mack was named the 2016 HBCU Football Coach of the Year by Black College Sports Page and The Pigskin Club.

Mack is a native of Memphis and spent one season with the Tigers as the program’s receivers coach in 2011. He also has coaching experience at South Alabama (receivers coach from 2012-13), Arkansas at Pine Bluff (receivers coach in 2010), Central Arkansas (passing game coordinator and receivers coach from 2008-09), Jackson State University (receivers and tight ends coach 2006-07) and after starting his coaching career as a GA at Delta State University.

Mack played his college football at Jackson State and Arkansas State University.