Vols Football: Five Candidates To Replace Offensive Line Coach Don Mahoney
By Zach Ragan
Bill Bedenbaugh
Current Position: Assistant Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line Coach at Oklahoma
This one would be a bit of a stretch for the Vols, since a co-offensive coordinator title likely isn’t up for grabs. But if you want to be an elite program, you have to hire elite coaches.
Bendenbaugh, who was a finalist for Football Scoop’s 2015 and 2016 offensive line coach of the year award, helped Oklahoma lead the nation in 2014 with the fewest sacks allowed in the nation (nine).
The Illinois native also helped Oklahoma to the fourth ranked offense in the nation in 2015.
It’s worth noting that Bendenbaugh does have a Butch Jones connection.
Bendenbaugh was a graduate assistant at Central Michigan from 1997-98. Jones was the tight ends coach at Central Michigan in 1998.
The one downside to Bendenbaugh is that he would likely command a large salary. He’s currently making $425,000 annually at Oklahoma.
By comparisons, current Vols offensive line coach Don Mahoney is making $365,000 annually.
Landing Bendenbaugh might take more cash than the Volunteers are willing to commit.