Tennessee Vols: 5 Names To Watch For UT’s Wide Receivers Coach

Recently hired Tennessee Vols head coach Jeremy Pruitt is still filling out his coaching staff.

Tennessee Vols head coach Jeremy Pruitt has been on the job less than a week and he’s already put together a hell of a staff.

And Pruitt isn’t done yet.

None of Pruitt’s staffing decisions have officially been announced yet, but we still have a good idea of where things stand right now.

As of now, it looks like Pruitt still has three spots open on his coaching staff (it’s unclear how he will use his 10th spot in 2018).

One of those open spots is at wide receivers coach.

Tennessee was long considered “Wide Receiver U”, but that reputation has waned in recent years (mostly under Butch Jones).

Not only would it be great to see the “Wide Receiver U” moniker restored to Tennessee, it’s also extremely important for the Vols to have a potent passing attack (if they want to succeed in the SEC).

To have a good passing attack, you need great wide receivers. To get great wide receivers, you need a great position coach.

Fortunately for Pruitt and the Volunteers, there are several solid options out there.

Bryan McClendon — South Carolina (wide receivers/interim offensive coordinator)

Bryan McClendon was the first name I mentioned for this position, before Pruitt was even hired.

McClendon worked with Pruitt at Georgia during the 2014-15 seasons. He’s only been a wide receivers coach for three seasons, but he has 11 years of coaching experience in the SEC (he also played college football at Georgia).

If Pruitt goes this route, however, he’ll have to wait until after South Carolina’s bowl game. McClendon is currently serving as the Gamecocks’ interim offensive coordinator.

It appears that South Carolina head coach Will Muschamp is going to hire a new offensive coordinator from outside the program. But it’s entirely possible that he promotes McClendon.

If McClendon is offered the offensive coordinator role at South Carolina, there’s no way he comes to Tennessee. But if Muschamp hires from outside the program, I think McClendon will move on from South Carolina and make his new home in Knoxville.

Chris Beatty — Maryland (wide receivers)

I think Chris Beatty would be an interesting option for the Vols.

Beatty, who coached under James Franklin at Vanderbilt in 2011, and Pruitt don’t have a previous connection. But Beatty does have a geographical connection to Tennessee (he went to college at East Tennessee State).

Pruitt could be attracted to Beatty because he also started his coaching career in the high school ranks.

Beatty has coached a litany of great wide receivers, including Percy Harvin (in high school), Tavon Austin, Stedman Bailey, Jordan Matthews and Jared Abbrederis, among others.

Trooper Taylor — Arkansas State (wide receivers)

I would be pretty surprised if this happened, but it would be a gettable option for Pruitt if it doesn’t work out with some of the other coaches on this list.

Taylor coached at Tennessee from 2004-07. He left when he wasn’t promoted to offensive coordinator (this was the beginning of the end for Tennessee, the hiring of Dave Clawson was the downfall of Phillip Fulmer).

Fans love the energy and passion that Taylor brings to the sideline. His trademark towel and backward hat are instantly recognizable. He’s also a great recruiter.

I’m not sure if Taylor will even be on Pruitt’s radar (though I’m sure he’s familiar with him from Taylor’s days at Auburn), but this could be an intriguing option for Tennessee.

Lawrence Dawsey — Florida State (wide receivers)

Lawrence Dawsey and Jeremy Pruitt coached together at Florida State in 2013. Dawsey is currently in limbo right now. He was on staff at Florida State as the co-offenisve coordinator/wide receivers coach, but the coaching change has him just kind of out there floating right now.

I think Dawsey will be the top option for Pruitt if things fall through with McClendon. But if Pruitt waits until after the South Carolina bowl game for McClendon, and McClendon says no, it could be too late for Dawsey. Im not sure he would hold out for a coaching job until January.

Mike Groh — Philadelphia Eagles (wide receivers)

This one is a long shot.

Groh and Pruitt coached together at Alabama from 2011-12. Groh then made the jump to the NFL, where he’s made stops with the Bears, Rams and Eagles.

The only way I think Groh comes back to the college game is if he gets an offensive coordinator role, or if he’s fired by the Eagles.

It doesn’t look like he’s in line to get fired right now — the Eagles have been quite successful this season. But stranger things have happened.

While Groh doesn’t seem extremely likely for the Vols, he’s at least a name to watch.