Rodney Garner Details Approach to Developing Men On and Off the Field

Looking at Tennessee's defensive staff from top to bottom, it is filled with wide-ranging experience. High energy guys like Mike Ekeler, join known developers of talent Brian Jean-Mary and Tim Banks, while Rodney Garner and Willie Martinez bring a veteran SEC presence. All of their track records are substantial, but Garner's long-standing legacy as a developer, recruiter, and SEC tenure stands above the rest. 

"Rodney Garner, our defensive line coach, has coached 30-plus years inside of the SEC," Heupel said while introducing his defensive staff. "This is his second go-around here at Tennessee. I think he's got over 10 first round draft picks at the defensive line position. He's known and is a great recruiter just because he's genuine. He is who he is and does a great job of developing relationships. I've seen that in the short amount of time that he's been here. His ability to impact our players in a positive way with a clear set of standards and expectations and getting those guys to really buy-in – he's elite as far as being a teacher at defensive line play. His ability to teach those guys overall scheme, but really the fundamentals and technique at that position, will allow us to recruit the best."

Garner's latest first-round pick came in the 2020 NFL Draft when Derrick Brown was picked seventh by the Carolina Panthers. 

Shortly after Garner's hire was official to Tennessee, VR2 on SI connected with Brown for a comment on his old position coach. 

"They got the best damn coach in college football," Brown said when asked about what Tennessee is getting in Garner. "He will not only grow those guys as football players but as men as well."

Yesterday, during his media availability, I was able to follow-up with Garner on the quote from Brown and how important it is for him to be able to not only develop players on the field but to relate to them and make them a better man off the field. 

"I look at this as my ministry. I want to pour into these young men. That's the thing that we sell these families," Garner said. "They're going to give me a young man, and I want to give them a man back. We have a holistic approach. Obviously, they all want to play at the next level. If you ask them man for man, that's what you hear. I want them to be good students and get a degree. I want them to be good men off the field. I want them to be good husbands, good fathers, and good citizens. We're looking at that. Hopefully, we can develop them spiritually, socially and athletically. I feel like if we can encompass those other areas, then they're going to be good football players. Hopefully, we're targeting the guys who have the skillset and the talent to be able to play at a high level. If we're doing our job as far as developing them in other areas, then they should be very coachable, and we should be able to help them achieve their athletic goals along the process."

Garner inherits a defensive line group that brings back a strong veteran presence but lacks a dominant performer. His players have already taken to his genuine approach as Spring practice draws closer. The 30-plus year veteran will look to continue his long-standing track recorder as a developer with a new group of players. While last year's No.7 pick believes Garner is "the best damn coach in college football," he can make a case for it by taking Tennessee's defensive line unit to the next level this fall.

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