The University of Tennessee has appointed William Inge, former co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Washington, as the new linebackers coach, filling the vacancy left by Brian Jean-Mary. The hiring was confirmed by Austin Price of On3’s Volquest, and it marked the resolution of both staff vacancies in a single day.
Inge, who was initially expected to join Alabama’s coaching staff alongside new head coach Kalen DeBoer, ended up taking the position at Tennessee after the proposed deal with Alabama fell through. This decision mirrored a recent trend, with offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb and offensive line coach Scott Huff also opting out of coaching with DeBoer at Alabama, the latter now being a former Alabama offensive line coach. This shift in staff dynamics has coincided with DeBoer’s tenure, raising questions about the team’s stability in Tuscaloosa.
William Inge, a 50-year-old Missouri native, brings a wealth of coaching experience to the role. Starting as a graduate assistant and recruiting coordinator at Iowa in 1998, he has since had various coaching positions at schools like Northern Iowa, Buffalo, and Indiana, where he worked with DeBoer. Inge joined DeBoer during his final season at Indiana, and together, they moved to Fresno State before joining the Washington Huskies in October 2021.
Inge’s coaching journey has included roles as co-defensive coordinator, linebackers coach, special teams coach, and associate head coach. Notably, at Washington, he was promoted to associate head coach, co-defensive coordinator, and linebackers coach. However, his coaching career has seen varied defensive performances, with teams ranking anywhere from 20th to 113th nationally in scoring defense.
While opponents’ points per game may not be the sole measure of defensive prowess, Inge’s success as a recruiter is evident. 247Sports credits him as the primary or secondary recruiter for 33 recruits rated as 3-stars or higher. Despite his Midwest roots, Inge has successfully recruited players from Florida, Georgia, and California.
As the coaching staff undergoes changes, there is optimism about Head Coach Josh Heupel and Defensive Coordinator Rodney Garner’s unconventional hiring choices. With both Inge and newly appointed running backs coach De’Rail Sims, the focus now shifts to how their coaching and recruiting abilities will translate to success in the competitive SEC. While concerns exist, particularly regarding recruiting in the SEC, fans are reminded of past reservations about other coaching hires, such as Jerry Mack, and are hopeful for positive outcomes.
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