(utsports.com) Jim Knowles, a championship-winning assistant coach and one of the most esteemed defensive minds in football, has been named Tennessee defensive coordinator, head coach Josh Heupel announced Thursday.

Knowles brings 38 years of college football experience to Rocky Top, including 18 seasons as a defensive coordinator and the last four years in the Big Ten. He has orchestrated four top 15 total defenses nationally over the last six seasons with three of those units finishing in the top four.

“Hiring Jim Knowles was our top priority from the start of this process,” Heupel said. “Jim has a proven track record of developing elite defenses that play with an edge, and we got to see that first-hand during the 2024 College Football Playoff. His defenses are always physical, w

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