Vols add seasoned defensive mind for 2026
The University of Tennessee announced this week that Josh Sinagoga will join the program as a defensive analyst for the 2026 season, a move that adds a seasoned strategist to the Volunteers’ staff.
Sinagoga arrives after a three‑year stint as an offensive analyst at Michigan, where he contributed to a national championship in 2023 and helped shape a high‑powered attack. His coaching journey includes stops at Youngstown State, Cincinnati, Iowa, Central Michigan and Northwood University, where he honed his skills as a quarterbacks coach, recruiting coordinator and graduate assistant.
A new era of defensive coordination
At the same time, Jim Knowles, the Vols’ new defensive coordinator, is set to make his SEC debut after a decade of work at Penn State, Ohio State and Ole Miss. Knowles, who previously served as linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator at Ole Miss under David Cutcliffe, will bring a fresh perspective to Tennessee’s defense.
The appointments reflect a broader ambition to rebuild a defense that has struggled in recent years. By pairing Sinagoga’s analytical background with Knowles’ on‑field experience, the coaching staff hopes to create a more cohesive unit that can compete with the SEC’s elite.
Both hires underscore the program’s commitment to leveraging expertise from across the college football landscape. The move also signals a willingness to blend analytical insight with traditional coaching methods, a combination that could prove decisive in the highly competitive SEC environment.