Chuck Smith is reportedly set to return to Tennessee.
The Associated Press reported Monday afternoon that the former UT defensive lineman will join the Vols' staff as a defensive line coach.
The News Sentinel has not been able to verify the hiring at this point. Smith, however, expressed strong interest in the job earlier Monday with the News Sentinel.
Smith was considered a candidate for the vacant position after the New York Jets' run to the AFC Championship Game, thanks in large part to their defense.
The AP reported that Jets' coach Rex Ryan said the contracts of five coaches, including Smith, had expired and would not be extended. However, it is not clear if Ryan announced Smith's hiring by UT or it is reporting based on a source.
Smith was high school teammates with newly hired UT head coach Derek Dooley.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
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Comments » 56
Cldvols1 writes:
Outstanding!!! Go Chuck and Go Vols!!!
wags32 writes:
Welcome back Chuck!!!!!!!!
Homermoosevols writes:
ITS OFFICIAL. Nice pick up
vols_fan_n_tx writes:
Sweet!! Awesome hire!! Now bring in Al Wilson too!
graphpro#231211 writes:
Much better upgrade from Coach O... Similar skill set without the..... cheating.
imw8n4u writes:
This is great news - he is old high school friends with Dooley. Heard him on the radio last week and was thinking we needed to bring him home!
Orangeblood4ever writes:
And the bleeding slows :)
richvol writes:
A player with his pedigree should be able to coach and recruit. Who is going to be the recruiting coordinator? I hope they are as relentless as Orgeron...without the cheating.
orange_peel writes:
Alright. A Tennessee man coming back home.
VOLsince68 writes:
This is the best news we've had (next to the recruits) since CDD was hired. Great hire coach!
GO VOLS!!!!!!
Orangeblood4ever writes:
GO VOLS !!!!!
Thad123 writes:
Everytime Hooker post report: something we lost out. I hope your streak turns around this time.
mthomas916 writes:
All i can say is I'll drink to that!..Welcome back home
RockyTop1 writes:
Welcome home and hit the road, give him a recruiting 101 for Smith! I feel a late surge in our 2010 class. Bring in some big nasty's to UT, we NEED a few of them to push our defense!
Let's get the late comers to commit!! GBO!!!
VolsFanInNC writes:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/st... ESPN is reporting it..
Docrok writes:
I have been hearing this all day. There were rumors flying around last week that he would be D-line Coach when the Jets season was over!!
BamaVol writes:
Welcome home Chuck, seem you play many times. Any ears on our DC yet?
TennVolAlum writes:
Yeah...we've all heard the "Report: so-and-so coming to UT" way too many times, and it has turned out to be false. Great job KNS!!
I'll wait until the ink is dry on the contract to celebrate this one.
volsense writes:
To quote the late, great "Bear Bryant"
"Mama called"
Sweet! A great pass rusher, often compared to Reggie White. I can hear John Ward in my head saying, "Sacked!" Who else? Chuck Smith!
FWBVol writes:
With one last recruiting weekend before signing day having Chuck Smith on campus and bringing in D-Line prospects would be huge even if it is too late to get Smith on the road this year.
Smith has been successful at every level in the game of football and I see no reason to believe he success won't continue to pay big dividends for Tennessee for years to come.
tlvol writes:
I heard Smith on an interview on The Zone in Nashville. He bleeds orange and is very intense. This is a great hire!
VOLsince68 writes:
Check this out! Coach Smith in action with Usi Umenyiora.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0ReTE...
GO VOLS!!!!!
iadvol writes:
Al Wilson for LB Coach!!
rockytopatl writes:
Chuck is an articulate guy who knows the game and was quite a competitor, both at UT and in the pros. I enjoyed watching him play for the Falcons. This is a great hire and he has a big upside for down the road (coordinator or better).
chrisw2967 writes:
Good hire and welcome home Chuck , were getting someone that loves the tradition and wants to help bring it back.
ATL_VOL007 writes:
Nothing solid...just more rumors...seems as if they are keeping this extremely tight lipped...and for good reason. UT doesn't need any more exposure from media sources saying that someone else turned the job down..especially when they dont offer them the job:
http://mrsec.com/tags/tennessee
chestnutglade writes:
I AGREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
jobrando#216494 writes:
Great video of Chuck. Anyone with doubt should take a look
PoochPuntOn3rdDown writes:
This IS a fantastic hire. I predict that Chuck will be a monster recruiter, and I bet he could kick Ogremoron's tail in a fight!
I'm facebook friends with some of your recruits and I've been doing the same thing. I'm actually happy Kiffin is doing that. If they're not coming here, I don't want them at U of F.
Florida's class is so ridiculously good I don't think it will hurt. If USuCk gets one of your recruits, ya'll can just call the guy ranked number two at that position and offer him...
chrisw2967 writes:
he needs to take this video to DT,DE house and show them what he can do for them.
ODA751 writes:
I though a few of you would like to hear what Rex Ryan says about Chuck Smith. I was curious so I did a little research.
Here's the link:
http://www.newyorkjets.com/news/artic...
On pass rush consultant Chuck Smith…
"Obviously he had a great reputation before, but last year we brought him to help with some of our pass rushers when I was in Baltimore and I know they wanted to bring him back. They were a little sore on him for choosing to come here. He’s a loyal guy. This guy’s going to be an outstanding coach, there is no question. He’s learning to do all the other stuff it takes to be a great coach, even the little things, drawing cards, breaking down plays. He’s humbled himself to start from the ground level as a coach and that’s what he’s doing.
Let me tell you, his hands-on approach, the way he teaches pass rush, the passion he has for the game, he ain’t on the ground level there. He’s way up here. He’s about as good as I’ve been around when it comes to that."
On bringing in Smith to work on the fundamentals of pass rush…
"That’s not my job. Kerry Locklin is doing an outstanding job there too with Jeff Weeks. It was just something where if you can bring the best guy in, our organization is committed to our players to always give our guys the best opportunity to be successful. It just so happens that Chuck is a heck of a person and he fits in with who we are on defense. We go back and he knows me. He knows what I want. He’s just doing a great job blending in with those other guys. We’re excited that he’s with us."
ctownvol writes:
There's an old saying..."If you stand at the side of the river long enough, you will see the bodies of your enemies float by." Patience. He'll hang himself soon enough.
jenna1009001 writes:
well I hope that this report is correct. after so many untrue reports I believe it when it is offical. It would be great if it is true
BornVolDieVol writes:
I hope, HOPE, HOOOOOOOPPE this is true!!!!! Would be so awesome to have Chuck back on campus. I can say with all honesty that I am more excited and more hopeful about my VOLS than I have been in over a year (or longer)!! We are on the right track and I am PATIENTLY and CAUTIOUSLY optimistic!!! Its GREAT to be a TENNESSEE VOL!
ProwlinAndGrowlinSmokeyDog writes:
DC, Thanks for the compliment. I think this is a great pick up as well.
I haven't heard that about "the name not to be mentioned".Why doesn't that surprise me? He will go to a very low level to get recruits, and we Vol fans know that. Hopefully, the recruits know all about him and will tell him where to stuff it. I wouldn't worry about it, just consider the source. I am so glad that the SEC is rid of that garbage so we can retain our classy coach image.
BTW...Did you hear that Markeith Ambles followed the SOB to USC?? They deserve each other.
Have a great night!
smokey_bites_traitors
PoochPuntOn3rdDown writes:
I was just being a jerk. I don't friend players on facebook. I mainly use it to try to score.
I was the one who posted that link on here earlier about Ambles. Oh well, guess Florida will be beating us for a few more years.
When does Florida play Tennessee in basketball?
huntined#565710 writes:
Read on FOX sports that he has been let go by the Jets..about 5 coaches there will not get new contract..
ghost_of_which_doctor (Inactive) writes:
Yes! I heard that exact same report. Also Sun Tzu as Recruiting Coordinator.
VOLsince68 writes:
That's truly not damage to UT. We don't need kids like that on the hill.
GO VOLS!!!!!!
CRFVols writes:
This is great....but don't we need a DC???
BigBadVol writes:
Awesome link dude! Thanks!
huntined#565710 writes:
He just let him and about 4 more go with the JETS...NO NEW CONTRACT..Just another word for FIRED
ProwlinAndGrowlinSmokeyDog writes:
Pooch, I know you weren't addressing me, but I think DC has signed off for the evening so I will answer your question because I have a schedule handy. UT plays Florida January 31st, which is Sunday...Sheesh...That's not far away at all.
Anyway, just wanted to help. Have a great night!
smokey_bites_traitors
Bloodrunzorange writes:
A 100% upgrade from that POS d line coach last year! A true Vol! Great news and best wishes Coach Smith! GBO!!!
AllVols writes:
Chuck has always been a trainer and assistant position coach. The Jets probably didn't give him a contract because Rex Ryan didn't want to terminate anyone already on his staff. He brought him in because he was the right guy to teach his players the fundamentals of pass rushing and playing on the DL.
This is a great hire for UT. I watched the clip of him training Osi Umenyiora. Unbelieveable. "I'd rather have a sack than have sex." Dedicated. I have a feeling he will be a great recruiter. Not recruiting coordinator, but a great recruiter who can relate and get along with the recruits.
What Rex Ryan said about Chuck as a coach is great. Good job UT.
oldorange writes:
Oh YeaH
VOLsince68 writes:
He was a consultant, not a coach. There's a big difference. They probably set these consultant contracts up to only run through the season. That way they don't have to pay them all year. It makes sense. And it's great for us!
GO VOLS!!!!!
bluetick writes:
Put that in your pipe and smoke on it Kiffin boy! Try to steal this die hard VOL! Not a chance biatch!
PoochPuntOn3rdDown writes:
Much appreciation, smokey. I was just alluding to the fact that the game was soon, and the trash talking was going to commence. DC used to be a real jerk, like psycho bad, and i love to give him hell b/c Bruce owns Billy D.
I have a question for you since you are Smokey's handler. I realize he bites traitors but what does he do to UT hostesses?
Thad123 writes:
Are you saying Chuck Smith was fired?
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