Teddy Gaines joins staff at Tusculum

Tusculum College has named former University of Tennessee player Teddy Gaines as defensive passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach.

Gaines spent the past season as defensive backs coach and special teams coordinator at Maryville College.

The Scots had the top secondary in the USA South, leading in pass efficiency defense (92.91), total defense (340.3 ypg), scoring defense (21.6 ppg.

Gaines is also familiar with the South Atlantic Conference. He was defensive backs coach and special teams coordinator at Brevard College from 2008-11.

"We are so fortunate to hire a person with East Tennessee ties and have the background that Coach Gaines brings to our staff," said Tusculum coach and athletic director Frankie DeBusk in a school release. "At Brevard, his defensive backs were always well-coached and caused us problems as an offense. We have helped our football team today by hiring Teddy Gaines and I know our players will be excited that he is on board as we move into 2013."

Gaines played at UT from 1998-2001. He was selected in the seventh round of the 2001 NFL draft by the San Francisco 49ers. He was in training camp with the 49ers and Chicago Bears.

He played in NFL Europe for the Rhein Fire in 2003 and the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League in 2004.

Gaines was a three-year starter and All-State defensive back at Kingsport Dobyns-Bennett High School

Gaines replaces Kevin Weston, who left the Pioneers after eight seasons to become coach at Clark University.

DeBusk also announced that defensive coordinator Mike Iezzi will also work with linebackers and Tim Tobin will coach the defensive line and serve as strength and conditioning coordinator.