Tennessee Vols Refine Secondary Under New Coaching Staff

Defensive coordinators Anthony Poindexter and Derek Jones emphasize competition and cohesion in spring practices.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 2:37am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the Tennessee Volunteers' defensive secondary in action, with sharp, overlapping planes of orange, white, blue, and gray colors capturing the energy and movement of the players.Tennessee's defensive coaches work to build a more cohesive and competitive secondary unit through spring practice.Knoxville Today

The Tennessee Volunteers football team is making progress in improving its secondary under the guidance of new assistant coaches Anthony Poindexter and Derek Jones. With spring practice nearing its conclusion, both coaches have noted growing confidence, competition, and cohesion within the defensive backfield group.

Why it matters

The Vols' secondary was an area of concern last season, so the team is hoping the new coaching staff can help develop a stronger, more unified defensive backfield unit that can contribute to the team's success this upcoming season.

The details

Poindexter, Tennessee's co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach, highlighted how the continuity within the coaching staff has accelerated the defense's progress compared to a year ago when he was at Penn State. Jones, the new cornerbacks coach, has emphasized competition and unity among both returning and new players in his position group, with the goal of developing multiple capable starters.

  • The Vols completed their 12th spring practice on Tuesday, April 8, 2026.
  • The team will return to the practice field on Thursday, April 10, 2026.
  • Tennessee will conclude spring practice with the Orange & White Game on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Neyland Stadium.

The players

Anthony Poindexter

Tennessee's co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach.

Derek Jones

Tennessee's new cornerbacks coach.

Jim Knowles

Tennessee's defensive coordinator.

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What they’re saying

“We're much further ahead as a defense with the players, but as a staff as well. We kind of know what Coach (Jim Knowles) wants, how he wants it to look... We're light years ahead of where we were a year ago (at Penn State).”

— Anthony Poindexter, Co-Defensive Coordinator and Safeties Coach

“My mission coming in here was not to develop one or two players. It was to develop a unit. You have to have multiple guys in your room that can play if you expect to win championships.”

— Derek Jones, Cornerbacks Coach

What’s next

The Vols will continue to fine-tune their secondary during the remaining spring practices, leading up to the annual Orange & White Game on April 11, 2026, which will provide a glimpse of the team's progress.

The takeaway

Tennessee's new defensive coaching staff is working to build a more cohesive and competitive secondary unit, which was an area of concern for the team last season. The emphasis on developing depth and unity in the defensive backfield could pay dividends for the Vols in the upcoming season as they aim to improve their defensive performance.