What Levorn 'Chop' Harbin said about being Tennessee's new outside linebackers coach
Levorn ‘Chop’ Harbin has already built the relationships with Tennessee Football players thanks to his work on the recruiting trail. Now he’s ready to continue their development as players as the new outside linebackers coach for the Vols.
It was reported on Tuesday that ‘Coach Chop’ would be the new outside linebackers coach for Josh Heupel, taking over the position previously held by former Tennessee special teams coordinator Mike Ekeler, who left the Vols for Nebraska. Tennessee promoted Evan Crabtree to special teams coordinator.
“Chop and Evan understand the culture and standard of excellence that we have built here over the past four years,” Tennessee coach Josh Heupel said in a press release. “Both have strong relationships with our players, and it will make for a seamless transition as we get ready for spring practice. Chop has been a valuable part of our recruiting efforts.”
The Vols also hired John Bonamego as assistant special teams coach.
A closer look at ‘Coach Chop’
“First,” Harbin wrote on social media on Tuesday, “I want to thank God for blessing me with the ability to coach and have an impact on young mens’ lives. Second, I want to thank Coach Heupel and Coach (Tim) Banks for giving me the opportunity to coach this amazing group of young men.”
Harbin has been at Tennessee since 2021, joining the staff as a defensive analyst. He was promote to senior defensive analyst in 2022, working with Tennessee defensive line coach Rodney Garner.
While announcing his promotion, the Vols credited Harbin with helping “mentor (Tennessee’s) LEOs and James Pearce Jr.”
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“My family is excited to embark on this journey,” Harbin wrote. “And I do not take this opportunity lightly. I promise to work effectively every day to not just coach these young men through the game of football but the game of life.”
‘I have had the opportunity to recruit and build relationships with this group … I know the potential’
Harbin previously worked as the director of recruiting at Auburn for the 2019 and 2020 seasons. He was a defensive analyst at Auburn in 2013 and 2014 and was an assistant coach at Louisiana from 2015-17, coaching defensive line in 2015 and 2016 and defensive tackles in 2017.
Harbin also coached at Tuskegee University (2006-12), Georgia Southern (2002-03) and spent one seasons as a pro scouting assistant with the Atlanta Falcons. He was also an administrative assistant at Auburn and was a student assistant at North Alabama.
“I have had the opportunity to recruit and build relationships with this group over the past four seasons,” Harbin wrote, “and I know the potential of each of them. I want Vol Nation to see that! We are already hard at work. Go Vols!”
