Tennessee Finalizes Defensive Staff Overhaul With Poindexter, Jackson and Hunter Hires

Overview

• Josh Heupel announced Anthony Poindexter as co–defensive coordinator and secondary coach, Andrew Jackson as edge rushers coach, and Michael Hunter Jr. as cornerbacks coach.
• Heupel confirmed staff changes that included firing Tim Banks and Willie Martinez, removing Levorn Harbin from on‑field duties, and not retaining strength coach Kurt Schmidt or assistant secondary coach Earnest Thomas.
• Defensive line coach Rodney Garner received a two‑year extension and linebackers coach William Inge was retained to provide continuity in the front seven.
• UT cited the trio’s familiarity with Jim Knowles’ system, with Poindexter coming from Penn State and Hunter having previously worked with Knowles at Oklahoma State and Ohio State.
• Contracts filed by UT list 2026 salaries of $805,000 for Poindexter, $375,000 for Jackson, and $225,000 for Hunter, with the assistants already on campus as transfer‑portal activity begins.