Tennessee has a new running backs coach. Head coach Butch Jones announced Friday night that West Virginia running backs coach Robert Gillespie has been hired to replace Jay Graham, who departed for Florida State.
“Coach Gillespie brings a vast knowledge of the SEC, having been part of it as both a player and a coach,” Jones said. In addition to coaching at West Virginia, Gillespie has spent time at South Carolina and Oklahoma State. Jay Graham replaced Gillespie at South Carolina when he left for Oklahoma State. Gillespie played his college ball at Florida, rushing for more than 1,800 yards from 1998 to 2001.
In addition to Gillespie, Tennessee also interviewed Georgia assistant Tony Ball. Georgia A.D. Greg McGarity confirmed Friday night that Ball interviewed with Tennessee but is staying with the Bulldogs. Footballscoop.com reported Friday night that Ball had “accepted UGA’s counter.” Current Tennessee assistant coaches John Jancek and Willie Martinez had spent time on the Georgia staff with Ball, who has coached the Bulldogs wide receivers the past four seasons.
