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Report: Tennessee Vols’ Mark Elder to be named EKU head coach

Tennessee Volunteers tight ends coach and special teams coordinator Mark Elder is reportedly set to be named the new head coach of the Eastern Kentucky Colonels.
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Tennessee Volunteers tight ends coach and special teams coordinator Mark Elder is reportedly set to be named the new head coach of the Eastern Kentucky Colonels. The news was first reported by ABC36 News on Monday night.

Elder joined the Tennessee staff in 2012 under head coach Butch Jones. Elder coached under Jones since 2007 when he served as the linebackers coach at Central Michigan. He was then Cincinnati’s tight ends coach in 2010, running backs coach in 2011 and safeties and special teams coach in 2012 with Jones.

Elder oversaw one of the best special teams units in the SEC this season. The Volunteers lead the nation in kickoff returns, with sophomore Evan Berry as the nation’s leading kickoff returner.

Elder will take the place of former EKU head coach Dean Hood. Hood was fired after eight seasons with the Colonels.

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The team finished with a record of 6–5 this season.

- Xandria James