Tennessee adds veteran Special Teams coach John Bonamego and elevates Evan Crabtree
Tennessee has added to its coaching staff as John Bonamego is coming in to join Josh Heupel and his staff as a assistant special teams coach with the departure of Mike Ekeler. Additionally, sources tell Volquest that staff member Evan Crabtree will see his role grow going forward as the special teams coordinator.
Crabtree has been helping Tennessee with special teams the last few years and has been instrumental in the kicking game. He has been able to build bonds with players on the team and has been a valuable member of the staff.
Bonamego, who has 34 years of coaching experience, including stints at six NFL teams as a special teams coordinator or assistant, and most recently was a part of the Iowa State coaching staff as a Senior Special Teams Analyst.
Bonamego, who earned his degree from Central Michigan in 1987, was the head coach at his alma mater from 2015-18. He led the Chippewas to three bowl games from 2015-17, including a share of the Mid-American West Division title in 2015.
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His 2016 team upset No. 22 Oklahoma State in Stillwater.
Bonamego was also an assistant at Army from 1993-98, helping the Black Knights record a 10-2 record and appear in the final AP Top 25 poll in 1996.
A good chunk of his career has come in the NFL as a special teams coach. Considered a special teams innovator, he started his NFL coaching career in 1999. In all, Bonamego has worked as either a special teams assistant or coordinator for six different NFL teams: Jacksonville Jaguars (1999-2002, 2012), Green Bay Packers (2003-05), New Orleans Saints (2006-07, 2011), Miami Dolphins (2008-10), Detroit Lions (2013-14, 2019) and Los Angeles Rams (2020).
Ekeler had the role of special teams coordinator during his four seasons on Rocky Top, while also coaching Tennessee’s outside linebackers or LEO’s.
Levorn Harbin will become the outside linebackers coach.
