As the calendar turns toward the 2026 college football season, the University of Tennessee is already laying the groundwork for a comeback after a bruising 2025 campaign.
A Coaching Overhaul in Knoxville
The program has installed Jim Knowles as its new defensive coordinator, bringing a reputation for aggressive, scheme‑driven play, while Derek Owings steps in as the new strength coach, promising a fresh approach to player development and conditioning.
Both hires signal a deliberate shift in philosophy, as the Vols look to tighten a defense that faltered last year and to build a more physically imposing roster overall.
Transfer Portal Reinforcements
The offseason saw the team add roughly a dozen defensive standouts from the transfer portal, a move that injects experience and depth into a unit that will be charged with leading the charge.
At the same time, the quarterback position remains a focal point of competition, with George MacIntyre and Faizon Brandon vying for the starting role. Both bring contrasting skill sets, and the battle is expected to shape the team's offensive identity.
Coaches and analysts alike have highlighted a series of offseason superlatives, praising the chemistry emerging among the new pieces and the potential for the Vols to exceed preseason expectations.
With the new staff in place, the added talent, and a quarterback battle that could define the season, Tennessee hopes to turn the page and finish the year on a high note.