Chavis interviews with Falcons, staying with Vols

For the second time in the past two months, a member of Tennessee’s coaching staff decided to remain in Knoxville.

Tennessee defensive coordinator John Chavis said Monday he will remain at Tennessee after interviewing with the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons over the weekend.

“I let (UT coach Phillip Fulmer) know last night my intentions were to stay at the University of Tennessee,” said Chavis, who interviewed for the Falcons’ vacant linebackers coach job. “I’m happy and delighted to be at Tennessee.”

Chavis said the Falcons are “the only people I’ve entertained anything with at all” this offseason.

Chavis, 51, has been the Vols’ defensive coordinator since 1995 and has coached linebackers at Tennessee since 1989.

Following the 2006 season, Chavis was named the American Football Coaches Association’s Division I-A assistant coach of the year.

And Chavis isn’t the only member of UT’s staff who chose to remain in Knoxville.

Shortly before the Vols left for the Outback Bowl in December, defensive ends coach Steve Caldwell decided to stay at Tennessee after talking with longtime friend and new Arkansas head coach Bobby Petrino about becoming the Razorbacks’ defensive coordinator.

Still, the Vols hired four new offensive coaches, including former Richmond head coach Dave Clawson to replace offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe.

Cutcliffe left to become head coach at Duke, taking with him running backs coach Kurt Roper and tight ends coach Matt Luke.

Wide receivers coach Trooper Taylor also left to become co-offensive coordinator at Oklahoma State.

Drew Edwards covers University of Tennessee football. He may be reached at 865-342-6274.