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Tennessee, Josh Heupel add another experienced analyst

On3 imageby:Brent Hubbs•about 17 hours•

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Josh Heupel, Tennessee
Josh Heupel, Tennessee - © Saul Young/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel continues to add experience to his coaching staff through the analyst position. 

Heupel’s latest hire is veteran NFL coach Alan Williams, a defensive coach. Williams joined the program earlier this week. 

Williams started his NFL career in 2001 with Tampa Bay under head coach Tony Dungy. He followed Dungy to Indianapolis for the first of two stops with the Colts, which included winning a Super Bowl with VFL and Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning. Williams also coached for the Minnesota Vikings as the defensive coordinator, the Detroit Lions and most recently the Chicago Bears as the defensive coordinator.

Williams’ defensive speciality has been with defensive backs. Williams is originally from Norfolk, Virginia. He played college football as a receiver at William and Mary and started his coaching career at Norview High School before going back to his alma mater William and Mary as a running backs coach before making the jump to the NFL in 2001. 

Williams is the third analyst hire of the off-season for Heupel. With Mike Ekeler’s departure to Nebraska, Heupel promoted analyst Evan Crabtree to special teams coordinator and hired veteran NFL special teams coach John Bonamego to help with the kicking game. Bonamego was in the NFL from 1999-2021.

Heupel also made an experienced high on offense in hiring former North Texas head coach Seth Littrell. Littrell is a former teammate of Heupel’s at Oklahoma and was the offensive coordinator for the Sooners last season. Littrell led the Mean Green to 6 bowl appearances in seven years and he made the Conference USA championship game twice in his tenure there. 

Heupel’s other off-season coaching moves were promoting Lavron “Chop” Harbin from analyst to outside linebackers coach and bringing former Oklahoma quarterback Landry Jones onto the staff in his first ever coaching role.

Tennessee opens spring practice Friday morning as the Vols look to build off their first ever college football playoff trip last year. 

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