VOLS expected to hire Rodney Garner as DL coach and promote Kevin Simon to LB coach

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Sources informed FootballScoop that Steele, officially the Vols’ interim coach following the program’s Monday firing of Jeremy Pruitt amidst both an internal and external investigation, is moving to reunite with veteran defensive assistant Rodney Garner. Additionally, Steele is discussing a plan to move former Vols standout linebacker Kevin Simon from his off-field role as director of player development into Tennessee’s linebackers coach’s position.

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A source with firsthand-knowledge on Tuesday afternoon told FootballScoop that interim University of Tennessee Kevin Steele was expected to be allowed to make some on-field hires to fill the handful of openings on the Volunteers’ staff. Late Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning, sources told FootballScoop the direction Steele is working to take in what Steele intends to be his initial staff maneuvers, if and when Tennessee allows its interim coach to attempt to fill out the myriad openings in the Vols’ football department.

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Even with these pending moves, Tennessee still has multiple openings on its football staff. Tennessee wideouts coach Tee Martin is on an expiring contract at month’s end, Will Friend’s spot as Vols’ offensive line coach remains open and the Vols also are down three defensive assistants after the dismissals in the past four months of Jimmy Brumbaugh, Shelton Felton and Brian Niedermeyer.

If Steele eventually returns to a role as position coach and the Vols can hang onto Derrick Ansley, their defensive staff is full with these latest moves

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