ATLANTA — Head coach Lane Kiffin appears set to complete his coaching staff again.
Not surprisingly, Tennessee is looking to the NFL to do it.
The Vols weren’t expected to complete the hiring process for their special teams coordinator and running backs coach until after the NFL season wrapped up next week and haven’t made anything official yet. But ESPN.com reported Sunday afternoon that Tampa Bay assistant Rich Bisaccia will fill that role and give UT its seventh coach with pro experience on staff.
The school has not yet confirmed the move, but Bisaccia would be another significant addition for the Vols after landing former NFL assistant Kippy Brown to replace wide receivers coach Frank Wilson last week. Bisaccia would fill the void left by Eddie Gran when he left for Florida State and could provide a major boost to a unit that struggled mightily this season.
The Vols have had issues ranging from poor place-kicking to sloppy returns and blown coverages, but Bisaccia has built a solid reputation for his work with the Buccaneers over the last eight seasons and at Ole Miss, Clemson and South Carolina before that.
“Rich Bisaccia, from a motivational standpoint, to a coaching standpoint, to a schematic standpoint, he is the best I’ve ever been around,” Tampa Bay linebackers coach Joe Barry told the Sarasota (Fla.) Herald-Tribune. “Everybody knows the names of the people that have been here, (UT defensive coordinator) Monte (Kiffin), Lovie Smith, Herm Edwards, Rod Marinelli, Mike Tomlin ... and I’ve worked with all those guys. I’ve been with every single one of them.
“There’s not a doubt in my mind that Rich Bisaccia is in that group.”
Now he appears set to join another elite one in Knoxville.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Tennessee defeats Georgia 3-2 in…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 63
HtownVol writes:
More NFL experience at UT. This will get the recruits interested. It is great for the future of the Vols!
volsoutwest writes:
Okay, is this a good hire? I would suspect it probably is considering LK's penchant for hiring coaches, but must admit am not very up to snuff on Tampa Bay's special teams play.
HtownVol writes:
Tampa Bay had a kick off return TD today! Not sure how much this is related but may be a great sign! I trust that coach Kiffin is getting the best possible coaches on this staff. UT will have a great team next year!
Joevolsxtra writes:
Who's coaching the RB's?
1volfanatic writes:
Reel'em in big Kiff!!!! More NFL experience is awsome for our up and coming program. GO VOLS!!!
chaos001 writes:
they're one of the best in the NFL on special teams if I heard correctly from the commentator for FOX covering the Tampa Bay/New Orleans game. they've done pretty well against the Saints so far today.
appalachianvol writes:
If good football players want to go to the next level. Then who else but qualified NFL coaches to learn from. Kif is putting a great recruiting tool! Want to be the best? Come and train by the best!
GBO
Bloodrunzorange writes:
I will wait to hear more. CLK knows what he is doing. Go Vols!
Ringside writes:
Looks like the Big Orange upgraded.
Lean_and_Hungry writes:
The announcer in the TB-N.O. game stated that the one thing the Bucs have done well this year has been their special teams play. Also, good luck to Florida finding a coach who wants to come fill in while Urban is "on leave."
qspr91iz writes:
Today the Bucs had a punt return for a TD and won the game with a field goal in overtime. He has coached special teams in the NFL for eight years and he knows what he is doing. Go to bucaneers.com and check out his profile and you will be highly impressed.
GO VOLS!!!!
Slystone writes:
Sure Monte had input on this hire.
go_vols_go writes:
V...O...L...S... V..O..L..S V.O.L.S GO VOLS GO!
TommyJack writes:
Oh yeah
VOLsince68 writes:
They are among the tops in the NFL at special teams.....
GO VOLS!!!!
Ringside writes:
Here's a good list to start with. #13 and #20 are awesome.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports...
Volsnfl writes:
Very good
V_O_L_S_GO_VOLS_GO writes:
Sounds good. Let's keep the train a' rollin'!!!
GBO!!
dvhill100 writes:
Excellent! Let the dead time end for recruiting and unleash the dogs of war.
SignalMtnVol writes:
LOL! Nuttier than a can of Planters.
ALLVOL37849 writes:
Great hire GBO!!
Lean_and_Hungry writes:
on Rich Bisaccia:
http://bucshots.blogs.heraldtribune.c...
mbible1utk#324980 writes:
i think we've sent a HUGE message with our two new hires... if you take someone off of our staff, we'll go out and get someone even better to replace them with. The moral of that story is.... you better leave our staff alone if you're anywhere on our future schedule.
bwhit8 writes:
I live in Tampa.
* Rich is a HUGE pick up for the Vols! He is very well thought of here in Tampa.
1. Today the Bucs beat the Saints with a Special Teams punk return for TD! HE WILL GET "SPECIAL" back in the special teams for UT.
2. He is a fiery coach who pumps up players but is said by Bucs players to be very thorough in planning a preparation. Very much into every detail. The bucs do ask their starters to play on S.T. if needed to sure up units production.
3. His strength is being a players coach. Fun loving fun of energy and always running and jumping on the sideline.
(Aside from the fact it took the BUC's 32 yrs to return a kickoff for TD... that's not on him) He will be Great!
volsoutwest writes:
Thanks guys for the input. Sounds like a great hire as I thought it probably was. Been very displeased with special teams play the last couple of years so look forward to seeing a difference maker in here. Go Vols.
Brentwoodvol writes:
He coached RB last year in Tampa. I would like to know what you guys know about his recruiting. Since on Tampa staff my guess Fla. guys would know him???
jobrando#216494 writes:
Most are Florida raised and want be defecting. A few could be like Mack Brown.
britt writes:
nuttier than a squirrel turd
nocleats writes:
Awesome Hire. he has worked with Monte and with Gruden, so he knows how to WORK !! Excellent Special Teams coach and RB coach.. Also has lived in Fla for the last 6 years so has had alot of interaction with HS coaches and players
TrueVol70 writes:
Excellent get! Man, these guys are great at pulling rabbits out of a hat! I am really pumped about this and hope it comes in time to help the kickers in our upcoming bowl game. Palardy's gotta be liking this, too.
6MillionDollarPumpkin writes:
If you fill your staff with Ex-Professional coaches, they will come!!!
Play for Suburban Cryer or play for an ex professional staff with ties to the pro ranks????
Ringside writes:
sorry about taking him away from you.
ncvol59 writes:
Hey Witch
I'm sittin over in NC waitin to hear what you think and you ain't sayin nothing! Just like ber Rabbit. So, say somein! These folks are to narrow in there vision!
panties4tebow writes:
You and PEE WEE are in the same class.....nutier than a fruit cake!!!!!!!!!!!!
HE HE HE HE HAW HAW HAW HAW
panties4tebow writes:
ESPN is reporting that PEE WEE urbie meyer has changed his mind again and IS retiring.....keep tune that may change again before tomorrow!!!!!
WILL HE OR WILL HE NOT?
huntined#565710 writes:
He was also running backs coach in Tampa
panties4tebow writes:
Does anyone know if PEE WEE urbie is staying or has he decided again to go?
vols2#227315 writes:
Can he recruite florida?
423tiger18 writes:
Welcome coach Bisaccia, the Lane Train is about to leave the station so buckle up and hold on tight, it's gonna be a wild ride!!!!
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Hokies.
Psychovol writes:
Upgrades all around which will give Urbie and the crying gators more panic attacks and increased difficulty making decisions.
orangepridenation writes:
Another great pickup for the vols. Kippy Brown returns and now this. i said after eddie gran left that i would miss his recruiting, but not his special teams. i think we found a dang good replacement. more NFL experience = more recruiting tools = better talent + better coaching = wins and more wins.
rudy123 writes:
This guy coached runningbacks on the college and
pro level. Go to Tampa Bay website and read this guys profile. He coached rb's at Ole Miss in 1999 and rb's at Tampa Bay. He is qualified!!
JBVol writes:
Bearcats
tennezz writes:
It does not matter his days of dominating the SEC are over anyway! His heart is breaking down because Tebow is leaving!
MissingJackson writes:
Well Saban was 6-6 his first year at Alabama, Kiffin started 7-5 his first year. Come on folks, give him a BREAK, heck I am HAPPY with what I am seeing in Knoxville. Keep it up COACH
shopsports#273141 writes:
ESPN.com reported Sunday afternoon that Tampa Bay assistant Rich Bisaccia will fill that role and give UT its seventh coach with pro experience on staff.
This thrills me to no end but I cannot find it published or confirmed anywhere including ESPN. Please tell me it is true!!
shopsports#273141 writes:
BISACCIA AT A GLANCE
1979-82…Yankton College, player
1983…Philadelphia Stars (USFL), player
1983…Wayne State, Defensive Backs/Special Teams Coach
1984-87…Wayne State, Quarterbacks/Receivers Coach
1988…South Carolina, Graduate Assistant/Tight Ends and Wide Receivers
1989-90…South Carolina, Volunteer Assistant/Defensive Ends/Special Teams
1991…South Carolina, Volunteer Assistant/Tight Ends/Special Teams
1992-93…South Carolina, Running Backs/Special Teams Coordinator
1994-98…Clemson, Running Backs Coach/ Special Teams Coordinator/Recruiting Coordinator
1999…Mississippi, Running Backs Coach/Special Teams Coordinator
2000-01…Mississippi, Assistant Head Coach/Running Backs Coach/Special Teams Coordinator
2002-05…Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Special Teams Coach
2006-07…Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Special Teams Coordinator
2008…Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Associate Head Coach/Special Teams and Running Backs
2009…Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Associate Head Coach/Special Teams Coordinator
shopsports#273141 writes:
Not that we care, but I wonder how much this cost?
AWOLVol writes:
I know there was some talk about how Gran's departure for FSU was going to affect the Vols' commitment from super kicker-punter Michael Palardy. This hire should put those concerns to rest. If a kid's looking to be coached up at the college level, having a top NFL special teams coach to turn to is an amazing opportunity. I think the two replacement hires we've gotten have actually upgraded our staff from where we were before. Once again we have to look and say, wow, what a staff!!!
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