Report: Vols Adding Key Off-Field Staffer

Report: Vols Adding Key Off-Field Staffer

Kelsey Pope is set to join Tennessee's staff in an off-field, offensive quality control role, according to a report from Football Scoop's John Brice.

Brice reports: "Though Kelsey Pope has been serving as Gardner-Webb’s passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach, he is joining Heupel’s Tennessee staff as an offensive quality control, sources with knowledge of the situation told FootballScoop. A Sylacauga, Alabama, native who was a three-time All-Southern Conference selection at Samford and briefly spent time with the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals, Pope has previous experience coaching in Tennessee from his time on the Tennessee Tech staff. Additionally, Pope has worked with the QB Country program."

The move fills a void for Tennessee, and will help add a key fixture to the Volunteers support staff. Tennessee has yet to announce any other positions, although, with Tee Martin unlikely to return, Kodi Burns looks poised to join Tennessee's staff as wide receivers coach.

Pope is regarding as one of the fastest-rising, bright young minds in the game. Below is a look at his bio from Gardiner-Webb.

Kelsey Pope is in his first season as receivers coach at Gardner-Webb University, joining the Runnin’ Bulldogs after one season at Tennessee Tech.

Pope played a key role in his lone season in Cookeville, Tenn., helping the Golden Eagles post the second-best total offense output in program history in 2019. His receivers were a primary factor, with Metrius Fleming earning four newcomer of the week awards during OVC action.

Fleming caught 47 balls for 629 yards and three touchdowns, ran for two more scores and had a 91-yard kickoff return touchdown – while averaging 26.5 yards per return. Darrius afford also caught more than 40 passes, as Tech threw for 2,861 yards and 24 scores on the season.

Fleming was a second-team All-OVC selection in 2019 and also earned a spot on the league’s All-Newcomer Team. He finished with more than 1,200 all-purpose yards in an explosive first season.

Prior to joining the FCS coaching ranks, Pope spent a season as an assistant receivers coach at Shorter (Ga.) University on the Division II level. He mentored a group of receivers that accounted for more than 2,000 yards through the air – and saw three of his pass-catchers post seasons of 400+ yards.

In 2017, Pope coached running backs at Ohio Northern, with a run game powering its way to 195.5 yards per contest. The Polar Bears averaged a healthy 435.7 yards per game offensively and running back Christaan Williams rushed for 1,623 yards and 11 touchdown on his way to All-OAC honors – and second-team All-America accolades.

Pope spent time in the private sector following his playing career, working as an event operations coordinator in Birmingham for Knight Eady Sports Group and as a quarterback/receivers specialist for the QB Country program. He developed Next Level Sports Camps in his hometown of Sylacauga, Ala.

A standout receiver himself, Pope starred at Samford University on the college level. He finished as the Bulldogs all-time leader with 250 receptions and set the program’s single-season mark with 17 catches against The Citadel in 2011.

Pope was a three-time All-SoCon selection at receiver – from coaches and media – and spent time in the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Arizona Cardinals.