Joshua Heupel is losing an offensive assistant coach to the NFL for the second time in three seasons.
Jerry Mack, the coach of Tennessee’s running backs, is joining the Jacksonville Jaguars to take over the same role, according to Matt Zenitz of 247sports on Monday.
After working for Josh Heupel for three years, Mack departs from Tennessee. The 43-year-old, who was well regarded during his time as a volunteer, is one of the sport’s rising coaching stars.
In Knoxville, Mack’s most notable accomplishment could have been helping Tennessee running back Jaylen Wright develop. Wright was a gifted speedster who was a very raw running back during his freshman year at Tennessee. Wright hails from Memphis.
With Mack’s guidance, Wright’s skills advanced significantly. In addition to his lightning-fast pace, he developed into a physical between-the-tackling runner. Last season, Wright emerged as one of the SEC’s top running backs and became the first Tennessee player to dash for 1,000 yards since Jalen Hurd in 201
In the offseason, Tennessee gains outstanding sophomore Dylan Sampson and freshman running back Cam Seldon, but loses Wright and senior running back Jabari Small.
Mack represents the Vols’ first coaching change since Heupel took over in the spring, and only their third overall. In his three years at Tennessee, Heupel has kept much of his staff. After the 2021 season, receivers coach Kodi Burns joined the New Orleans Saints, while in the offseason, tight end and offensive coordinator coach Alex Golesh went to become head coach of South Florida.
The past two times Heupel needed to employ a coach, he promoted from inside. While Tennessee seeks for its newest running backs coach, we’ll see if that pattern holds true.
As of right now, the head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers has not let go of an assistant coach.
Former Clemson standout Travis Etienne is one of the NFL’s top young running backs, and Mack will be coaching him in Jacksonville. Despite having a terrible 2023–24 season and missing the playoffs, the Jaguars, led by head coach Doug Pederson and quarterback Trevor Lawrence, have a promising future.