Tennessee Reportedly Adds Poindexter, Jackson and Hunter to Jim Knowles’ Defensive Staff

Overview

• Multiple outlets report Anthony Poindexter is joining Tennessee to coach safeties after serving as Penn State’s co-defensive coordinator under Knowles in 2025.
• Reports say Penn State assistant Andrew Jackson is coming in a front-seven role, likely working with EDGE players after prior stops at West Virginia, Old Dominion and Fordham.
• Ohio State assistant Michael Hunter Jr. is expected to coach cornerbacks, having worked with Knowles at Oklahoma State and Ohio State, including the Buckeyes’ top-ranked 2024 defense.
• Willie Martinez will not return as defensive backs coach, and Tennessee has not formally announced the new hires pending completion of paperwork.
• Rodney Garner is expected to remain as defensive line coach with a new deal in the works, William Inge is set to stay at linebackers, and Tennessee is poised to rebuild the secondary through the portal after recent departures, following Knowles’ December hire to replace Tim Banks.