More SEC Coaching Changes: UT Losing 2 Coaches To UW

January 2nd, 2012 11:33 AM║ Posted By: John Pennington ║ Permalink ║ Schools: Tennessee
Tags: Eric Russell, Justin Wilcox, Peter Sirmon, Washington State

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Add another open coordinator spot to the list of SEC vacancies. ESPN is reporting that Tennessee defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox and linebackers coach Peter Sirmon have both agreed to join the staff at Washington.

Wilcox — in his second year at UT — managed to lead the young, thin Vols to a Top 35 national ranking in total defense. He and Sirmon both played football at Oregon. Wilcox was the defensive coordinator at Oregon before joining Tennessee’s staff.

Derek Dooley is also in need of a replacement for Eric Russell, the Vols’ special teams coordinator and tight ends coach who left for Washington State last month.

6 comments

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Ben

John,

Just an edit, but I am pretty sure that Wilcox was the DC at Boise State not Oregon. I think he was also a coach at Cal.

MiloMoon

I am sadden by this move. I believed that Wilcox had done a great job with the resources that he had to utilize. I was really looking forward to next year when we would have been able to field a top flight defense. I would not have been worried if they had left for a promotion. However going to the same positions at UW gives me worries about the UT program. Were they leaving while the gettin' is good? Is there a lot of internal conflict on the staff? UW is paying top dollar for coaches right now, but money should not have been an issue in retaining anyone that Dooley wants to keep. Hopefully UT/Dooley will be able to attract some top defensive coaches and soon.

Voloptimist

Two words: Randy Shannon

KforThought

Well being the top 35 kept us in many games. At this time that was one coach we could not afford to lose. This is just another shot after a 2011 I would love to soon forget. I hate that 2012 started in this manor.

jerryhendricksz

John, do you honestly think being in the top 35 in something
is worth mentioning? Don't believe I've ever heard that before.

John at MrSEC moderator

jerryhendricksz...

I think that's why Tennessee fans didn't want to see Wilcox go. His defense -- with little depth and experience -- performed better than the team's offense did. So, yes, I think it's relevant.

John