Report: Vols DC Search Turns Toward Big Ten Assistant

"I think by the time we hit the ground next Monday, we'll be close to having our full-time positions filled up and most of our sub-cabinet coaches filled up as well. I'm going to let Danny and our administration handle the announcements next week," Josh Heupel said during a radio appearance earlier this week.

Heupel has several staff members in Knoxville around him at this time, and he is working to bring in more. According to a report from John Brice of Football Scoop, Heupel is now 'zeroing in' on a defensive coordinator.

Brice wrote: "Multiple sources on Sunday tell FootballScoop that the Vols’ search for Josh Heupel’s first defensive coordinator is centering on popular Ohio State assistant coach, Al Washington. Sources told FootballScoop over the past 48 to 72 hours that Tennessee’s search had included Zooms and additional interviews with multiple coaches, including some that advanced to the stage of Tennessee discussing a three-year contract with at least one candidate."

Washington would be a first time-player caller, however, VR2 on SI has confirmed one former Tennessee assistant with play-calling experience hopes to return to Knoxville in some role, which could help him if the chips fall correctly.

Washington, a 13-year collegiate vet, has been a fixture in producing back-to-back highly efficient defenses in Columbus. He has experience working both sides of the ball, and he has moved all over as a defensive position coach.

Washington has been an extremely effective recruiter with ties to the Northeast, as he helped Ohio State sign multiple five-star prospects.

Tennessee has continued to fill its staff over the last few days, especially from an off-field standpoint, as Kelsey Pope will come to Tennessee as an offensive quality control analyst, Angelia Brummett and Brandon Lawson will both join Heupel from UCF, and VR2 on SI has learned that a former Tennessee off-field staffer is expected to return to Knoxville in some capacity over the coming days.

You can view John Brice's full report on Washington here.

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