Vols Football: Five Candidates To Consider If Tennessee Defensive Line Coach Steve Stripling Leaves
By Zach Ragan
Ron Burton
Current position: Defensive Line Coach at Michigan State
If Tennessee strikes out on the obvious top two targets, then it’s possible they could go after Michigan State’s Ron Burton.
In 2013, Football Scoop named Burton their defensive line coach of the year.
Here’s what they had to say about Burton when awarding him the honor:
"It was that kind of season for Burton’s troops, as the Spartans allowed only 1,212 rushing yards (second nationally) and eight touchdowns (ditto) on 425 carries (2.85 per carry, third). Only 35 of those attempts gained 10 yards or more – 8.24 percent, best in the nation. Opposing offenses had a 0.92 percent chance of breaking off a run of 30 yards or more on Burton’s spectacular front."
Burton also has a connection to Tennessee’s new defensive backs coach Charlton Warren.
Both coaches were on staff at Air Force at the same time.
Warren coached the secondary from 2005-13, while Burton coached the defensive line from 2003-12.
Burton is also a graduate of North Carolina, where Warren coached defensive backs the past two seasons.
According to USA Today, Burton made a shade under $330,000 last season in base salary pay.