Josh Heupel
Head coach
Sixth season. A Heisman runner-up as Oklahoma's quarterback in 2000, and previously head coach at UCF.
SEC · Knoxville, Tennessee
Tennessee Football Coaching Staff 2026
Head coach and coordinators
2026 record4-1
Coaching staff
TENN coaches
Josh Heupel enters a sixth season with continuity on offence and a significant change on defence.
Leadership
Offense
Joey Halzle
Offensive coordinator
Fourth season running an offence built on tempo, though Heupel remains closely involved.
Defense
Jim Knowles
Defensive coordinator
First season, arriving with a coordinating record that includes Ohio State and Penn State.
Anthony Poindexter
Co-defensive coordinator
First season alongside Knowles.
Staff and roster details reflect the 2026 season as announced by the program and the SEC. Rosters move through the transfer portal year-round, so check the official program site for the definitive list.
Staff coverage
Tennessee listed coaching roles
This profile lists 4 staff members for Tennessee. Responsibilities are grouped as follows: Defense: 2; Leadership: 1; Offense: 1.
Titles describe the published staff listing. They do not establish who calls plays or whether every support role is included.
FAQ
Tennessee football coaching staff FAQs
Who is the head coach of Tennessee?
Josh Heupel is listed as head coach in the team profile reviewed on 2026-09-01.
Does this page list the entire football staff?
It contains 4 published staff entries. Recruiting, operations and other support roles may not be included; the page does not claim a complete staff directory.
Who is Tennessee's offensive coordinator?
Joey Halzle, entering his fourth season, who also coaches quarterbacks and works directly with Faizon Brandon in Josh Heupel's up-tempo offense.
Who is Tennessee's defensive coordinator?
Jim Knowles, in his first season, working alongside co-defensive coordinator Anthony Poindexter, who also coaches the secondary. Both are new hires brought in to rebuild the defense after the 2025 step back.
How long has Josh Heupel been Tennessee's coach?
Since 2021, and he is entering his sixth season in 2026. His tenure includes a College Football Playoff appearance and a run of the program's best recruiting in years, including landing five-star quarterback Faizon Brandon.
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