Jason Michael said goodbye to the New York Jets to get reacquainted with his old boss.

University of Tennessee football coach Phillip Fulmer announced Friday that Michael was his choice to complete his staff and become the Vols’ tight ends coach.

Michael, 29, has spent the past three seasons working in the NFL, one with the Oakland Raiders (2005) and two with the Jets (2006-07).

Prior to that, Michael spent two years as a graduate assistant at UT.

“Jason brings a familiarity with our program along with great experience from the National Football League,” Fulmer said in a release. “He had great recommendations from the people he worked for.

“I know his youthful energy, enthusiasm and passion for the game will make him an outstanding part of our staff. I’m looking forward to working with him this year and in the years to come.”

The Louisa, Ky., native played quarterback at Western Kentucky 1999-2002 and led the Hilltoppers to the NCAA Division I-AA national title in 2002.

He’s engaged to former Tennessee Lady Vol volleyball player Jamie Mossburg.

“It’s exciting to get back to Knoxville and be a part of the University of Tennessee,” Michael said in the release. “After three years away from here, it’s a great feeling to return to a program like Tennessee.”

Michael’s hiring completes a month-long whirlwind of coaching searches for Fulmer.

In the past 10 days, Fulmer has named Dave Clawson offensive coordinator, Stan Drayton running backs coach and Latrell Scott wide receivers coach. Only Greg Adkins, offensive line coach, remains from the 2007 offensive staff.

Offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe became head coach at Duke and took UT assistants Kurt Roper and Matt Luke with him to Durham, N.C. Receivers coach Trooper Taylor also left for Oklahoma State.

“I’ve had the opportunity to meet with Dave and Stan, and that’s another part of what drew me back to Tennessee,” Michael said. “The comfort level of meeting with those guys and talking football, the thoughts and philosophies of the game as well as family life — it’s exciting to have a little bit of new as well as return to work with the guys who have a feel for the program.”

Michael joined the Raiders in 2005 as a video assistant and offensive quality-control coach. He spent this past season as an assistant tight ends coach with the Jets.

“It’s a good fit for us,” Fulmer said. “He’s a guy who has played on a national championship team as a quarterback. He understands the different styles of offense he’s been around, and also has looked at it from the defensive perspective as a graduate assistant (under defensive coordinator John Chavis) here.”

The News Sentinel learned early this week that former Tulane coach Greg Scelfo also was a serious candidate for the position due to his strong recruiting reputation and connection to Adkins, who coached with Scelfo at Marshall and Georgia in the 1990’s.

Maryville High School coach George Quarles also interviewed for the position.

The tight ends coach has traditionally helped coach the offensive line and served as recruiting coordinator. It is unclear if that will remain the same with Michael.

Matt Luke handled those three duties for the Vols before leaving to be Duke’s offensive line coach.

“Coaching tight ends is what I did last season in New York,” Michael said. “It’s exciting to make the transition from the NFL to college. I’m looking forward to the similarities but also to the changes from the pro game to the college game.

“I’m excited about the other parts of the college game, too — the seasonal changes like going through recruiting, signing day, spring football, the camps, and then the true season that college football is. And it all boils down to football.”

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.