The University of Tennessee has recruited William Inge, formerly a co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Washington, to fill the position vacated by Brian Jean-Mary as the Vols’ new linebackers coach.
According to Austin Price of On3’s Volquest, the University of Tennessee recently addressed its linebackers coach vacancy by appointing William Inge, who previously collaborated with new Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer at Washington. Inge was reportedly set to join DeBoer in Tuscaloosa to oversee outside linebackers, but for unspecified reasons, that arrangement did not materialize.
Inge’s decision marked the second instance in a week where a coach had a change of heart about joining DeBoer’s coaching staff at Alabama. Ryan Grubb, the offensive coordinator, also opted for a different path by accepting a position with the Seattle Seahawks just days earlier. Not only did Grubb make the move, but he also took Scott Huff, the former Washington offensive line coach and erstwhile Alabama offensive line coach, with him. This makes a total of three coaches who have departed from DeBoer’s staff since his appointment on January 12th.
The departures have led to a metaphorical burning of the city, metaphorically speaking, of Tuscaloosa, Alabama. It appears DeBoer has brought the tinder from Seattle, and now it seems he’s in need of some accelerant to fuel the fire.
At 50 years old and hailing from Missouri, Inge boasts an extensive coaching background with various stops along his journey. He commenced his coaching career as a graduate assistant and recruiting coordinator at Iowa in 1998 following the culmination of his playing days, which included four years at Iowa and one year with the Titans as a defensive end.
After two seasons with the Hawkeyes, Inge transitioned to Northern Iowa for a three-year tenure, culminating in his role as co-defensive coordinator. From 2006 to 2015, he held coaching positions at five different institutions, including a brief stint as Buffalo’s defensive coordinator and another as the Buffalo Bills’ assistant defensive line coach.
