Knoxville, TN (WOKI) A 16-year-old Knox County Schools student is in critical but stable condition Friday morning following a hit and run crash in West Knox County.
The Knox County Sheriff’s Office says the crash happened around 7:30 Thursday morning, August 8 at the intersection of Thornton and Hughlan Drive in the Farragut area.
Police say a passer by saw the girl laying on the ground as the bus pulled up.
At this time, KCSO does not have a description of the involved vehicle and is asking those who live in the area to check security cameras and report any information to the sheriff’s office’s Traffic Unit (TANGO) at 865-215-2243; ask for Officer Simerly. You can remain anonymous.
The crash happened around 7:30 a.m. at the intersection of Thorton Drive and Hughlan Drive, KCSO said. (Courtesy: WVLT)
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee football completed its seventh practice of preseason training camp on Thursday at Haslam Field, gearing up for Friday’s closed scrimmage in Neyland Stadium that will conclude the second week of fall camp.
Wide receivers coach Kelsey Pope was available to media after Thursday’s practice. The third-year assistant discussed his room’s increased depth and how that has translated to holistic growth on the practice field.
“I think it’s a huge testament to what we’re doing in recruiting, what the personnel department is doing to bring talent in here,” Pope said. “It’s also affecting our room in a positive way. Guys are competitive on and off the field and it’s helped us grow, helped those guys individually grow in a lot so far in camp.”
The Vols will compete under the lights of Neyland Stadium on Friday night in their first scrimmage of fall camp. Pope laid out some expectations and keys he will be watching for as his receivers take the grass at Shields-Watkins Field.
“I want to see those guys compete in every facet,” Pope explained. “I want to see them compete in the run game, get nasty and block their butts off. Obviously, when we have the ability to go make plays down the field, I want to see us do that.
“I think a lot of times, we think about those plays down field as a wideout, but the things that makes receivers good are those details on third down and being able to move those chains. It’s being able to play a game within a game and understand how to influence my opponent in the run game as well as in the pass game or help myself with my split. So, those little things are the things I want to see us compete in, not just the big plays when the ball is in the air. I want to see us compete in those small facets that kind of make up the game.”
Friday’s scrimmage in Neyland Stadium is closed to media and the public.
Full comments from Pope and select quotes from redshirt freshman tight end Ethan Davis, senior tight end Miles Kitselman, redshirt sophomore wide receiver Chas Nimrod and junior tight end Holden Staes can be viewed below.
Tennessee Football Press Conference | Aug. 8, 2024 Wide Receivers Coach Kelsey Pope
On the depth of this receiving room… “I absolutely do. I think it’s a huge testament to what we’re doing in recruiting. What the personnel department is doing to bring talent in here and it’s also affecting our room in a positive way. Guys are competitive on and off the field and it’s helped us grow, helped those guys individually grow in a lot so far in camp.”
On how Chas Nimrod’s production during fall camp… “He’s done a great job–for one–of changing his body. He’s gained a lot of muscle. He looks different on the field because of that. He’s competing his butt off right now. He’s had a really good camp. Today was probably the best practice he’s had since he’s been here, just from a consistency and competitiveness standpoint. I’m looking forward to seeing more out of him as he continues to trend. He’s done an awesome job so far.”
On how he is dividing up playing time… “All of our guys play multiple spots. On a given day they might be in one spot, but each one of our guys has to play multiple positions. You have to have some position flexibility. So, there are times where Bru (McCoy) has to go to slot, or Mike (Matthews) has to go to slot. They have to know each position. I think the depth has forced those guys to put more on themselves to learn different positions to add value and get on the field – however that may be. Even if on a given day if you see Squirrel (White), Chas or Mike at a spot, those guys can go play anywhere in our system.”
On Bru McCoy’s progress working back from injury… “That’s kind of Bru. If you know him you know he’s anxious to go play and compete which is a good thing from my standpoint. I would much rather hold a guy back and tell him to hold up than have to get a guy to be aggressive. So that’s actually a positive for him. For him it’s just giving him the big picture. I plan for him, our work load planned for him, not getting him back in there too soon and putting a bunch of volume on him. He’s done a good job of trusting that. He’s done an amazing job of leading this room. He’s one of the best leaders I’ve ever been around–player or coach–in my career. We’re fortunate to have him in that role.”
On what it means to have a leader like McCoy in the wide receiver room… “It’s awesome. It challenges me because I think kids like that you can take for granted as a coach and just assume a lot because they’re always in the right place and they’re always doing extra. So, for me, as a coach it challenges me like how can I do things that are maybe out of the box or unorthodox or put him in situations where he’s uncomfortable so he can continue to grow. I do think also, when young guys see me coach him and challenge him, those guys realize that everyone is getting coached the same way. Everyone is getting challenged and there’s a respect in that room that everybody has to compete to earn their place and create their own value.”
On how Chris Brazzell II has progressed from spring to fall… “He’s dialed in. When he first got here, I don’t think he had a true expectation of what it took in this building and in this league to be successful. Right now he’s in a really good spot. He’s dialed in. He’s getting extra meetings. He’s getting extra film. He’s doing a great job of preparing. I think as long as he does that and continues to do that. He’ll give himself a shot. We still have to make plays on Saturday, but as long as you prepare the right way you always give yourself a shot at being successful and he’s doing that right now, I’m pleased with him.”
On how Dont’e Thornton Jr. is different now than he was one year ago… “As transparent as I can be, I think mindset. I think when he got here there was a ton of nervousness and a ton of anxiety. He put pressure on himself a lot. I think the biggest thing that kid has done this off season is he’s allowed himself to work as hard as he can and let the chips fall where they may. A lot of times when you do that as an athlete you make more plays because you’re a lot looser when you’re playing. You’re not so wound up and tightened up and putting pressure on yourself. He’s come a very long way as far as his mental makeup. He’s built up a lot of confidence and it’s because of a lot of work that he’s done this offseason to gain that confidence. Dont’e is in a good spot.”
On what he wants to see from his receivers in tomorrow’s scrimmage… “I want to see those guys compete in every facet. I want to see them compete in the run game and get nasty and block their butts off. Obviously, when we have the ability to go make plays down the field I want to see us to do. I think a lot of times we think about those plays down field as a wide out, but the things that makes receivers good are those details on third down and being able to move those chains. It’s being able to play a game within a game and understand how to influence my opponent in the run game as well as in the pass game or help myself with my split. So those little things are the things I want to see us compete at and not just the big plays when the ball is in the air. I want to see us compete in those small facets that kind of make up the game.”
On the growth of Nathan Leacock and Dont’e Thornton Jr… “I think these guys read things and come in with their own expectations. Naturally they put a lot of pressure on themselves, so I think when Dont’e (Don’t’e Thornton Jr.) came in, it was pressure on himself to kind of go make plays and prove people wrong. I have talked to him a lot this off season about proving himself right. I think naturally you get a calmness about that when you just make it about you. You asked about Leacock (Nathan Leacock) – I think that guy has done a great job this offseason. He caught more balls than anyone this offseason. He is anywhere between like 12 to 13 thousand balls. Which was a huge area where he had to grow in. He has changed his body; he is healthy, and he is playing fast right now. I think you guys keep asking about growth from everybody. Man, I think the true equalizer is competition. We have done a great job of putting talent in that room. When there is talent in that room, there is an expectation to make plays. As each guy in the room has done that there is a guy on the side like man I got to go make that play because I have to earn playing time. That has been the huge thing this off season that has helped us be successful so far.”
On Squirrel White improving in the offseason and taking in all the attention… “All that is great, that is more for his family to enjoy than him. Those watchlists and awards man, those things do not help us get results. So, for him it is to continue to keep the work ethic the main thing. You don’t get anything for reputation. It is great that he kind of got a reputation out there, but he has to continue to work, we don’t live off reputation. Squirrel (Squirrel White) is doing a great job of being in the building. He has got some things that he has done a good job of managing this offseason. He has grown a lot as a man. Football has always been important to him, when he got here to Tennessee he had some growing up to do. He is light years ahead of where he was when he got on campus. As a human being that guy has grown a ton.”
On how the competition in the wide receiver room will improve Squirrel White and how does it affect his snap count… “I think that depth is always a liberty because you do not have guys having to play 85 to 90 percent of the snaps. We had a ton of injuries last year which is going to happen and really did not have a lot of depth. We were forced to play him (Squirrel White) a lot more and with his frame man you want to make sure that kid holds up. Especially with the 16 to 17-week season this year. So absolutely that depth is going to be a liberty for us. Also, iron sharpens iron, light sharpens light. The way Bru (Bru McCoy0 runs routes is different from Squirrel. The way Chris (Chris Brazzell II) runs routes is different from Squirrel. But you can always take pieces from each guy and help your own game and that is where the competition is helping him a ton.”
On his post-spring conversation with Chas Nimrod… “So, for me and Chas, his biggest thing is just the riggers and the violence in this league, I want you to play with a tone of physicality, I want you to embrace physicality. Chas is a good-hearted guy. He is always smiling; he is always in a great mood. There is a switch that has to be flipped when you are on that field, for me to be elite I have to be able to flip that switch and go compete with anybody in the world. I think mentally that is where he has transformed. So, it is always little nuggets when I see him. He is really into books; we have talked about the Alchemist. I have given him props and things out of that book. Those are the types of relationships that help guys grow. It won’t always be a football quote or a quote from Coach Lombardi. Sometimes you have to dig deeper and that is where the relationship piece comes into place, and you are able to tap into guys. Man, that has helped so far with him and we plan on continuing to trend with him.”
On what else has this group most developed other than the competition aspect… “I think just playing football. You think about the stories in this room. Like Bru (McCoy) would have been done last year. Like he fought through an injury, but really and truly it is a second chance for him to put things on tape his last year. You got a kid like Dont’e (Thornton Jr) who comes from Baltimore, he comes to Knoxville, and he embraces everything about this community and his role with his football family. You get Squirrel White who is adding an addition to his family, who is a great kid, but now he is growing into more of a protective role. I cannot wait to see these guys and their stories be played out on Saturday. I think that is what gives me an exciting feeling. Football is always fun, but the stories that attach you to these guys and you are going through their journey with them. Then seeing that play out on Saturday and those guys make plays. That is an awesome feeling. Once the wins come behind that, it is cherries on top.”
On what his relationship has been like with transfer TE Miles Kitselman… “I consider Miles like my best friend. Just being able to get to know him more throughout this year, we have grown a very close relationship. We hang out outside of football a lot. He’s one of my best friends up here.”
On what the key for him to put on weight was… “Honestly, just going into Smokey’s and getting four meals a day instead of three. When I go home, I cook some stuff up. I’m majoring in culinary arts now, so I have been falling in love with cooking and stuff like that, so I just cook at home.”
On how he feels with the new weight he has added… “I feel like I really haven’t missed a beat, and that’s credit to our strength staff. I mean, I put the weight on and they do the rest. They mold me like, ‘okay, this is your body fat now, so now we are going to get it down to here, if we are going to get this stronger we are going to get this stronger.’ They have done a really good job with taking care of me in that field.”
On his relationship with quarterback Nico Iamaleava… “Every day, Nico and I continue to grow, especially outside of the facility. Obviously, as a tight end and a quarterback your connection is everything and the stronger that connection is off the field, the stronger it is on the field. So, getting off the field with him and hanging out all the time has transferred to on to the field, and is really starting to come together.”
On why this offense is a good fit for him… “I love how loose it is with the ball players. The coaches say, ‘this is what we are looking for’ and then they let us loose like, ‘hey, go be a ball player’ and I really like that. We’ve got some really skilled tight ends that are ball players.”
On the competition at the tight end position… “I don’t think of it as necessarily winning a job. We’ve got three dudes – me, Holden and Ethan, and we can all play. I’ll just continue to compete and grind. We will continue to push each other because we’re all going to be on the field this year.”
On what went into the number change and why he went with No. 11… “I thought it would be a good opportunity, like a good year to transition into a number change. (Coach) Heupel gave me the opportunity to change my number, and I’ve always thought it was a good receiver number. It was one of the numbers he had offered me.”
On what he worked on to improve his game this offseason… “Definitely everything really, from strength to speed, my explosiveness in short spaces, change of direction and things like that.”
On what the energy is like in the wide receiver room… “It’s good. It’s very competitive there. We have built a really healthy competitive room just because everybody is really talented, so it’s been a lot of fun.”
On how Tennessee utilizes the tight end position… “That was a big part of my decision to come here. All the different ways we get involved in the pass game and all the stuff we do in the run game is very versatile. It puts us in a lot of good positions to makes plays for the offense, so I like what we’re doing.”
On the mindset that his position is critical for the team’s offense… “That’s what you want as an offensive player. You want to be involved in everything that makes the offense go. It’s definitely been a fun thing for me and something that I have taken pride in, to help our offense be the best that it can be.”
On practicing against James Pearce Jr. … “He is a great player on the other side of the ball. That is a match that you do not want to turn down because at the end of the day, whether you win or lose, it’s going to make you better and I and take pride in that. Every time I see him across the ball from me and just give him my best shot, if he gets me, he gets me, but I’m going to saddle back up go out there the next play and try to fight again.”
Nashville, TN (WOKI) As school starts back, lawmakers are reminding everyone of Tennessee’s new parental consent law.
The new law requires the doctor or nurse to consult with parents by phone or text before treatment in non-emergency situations. It also applies to school counseling; however, lawmakers say counselors can still listen to a student’s problems or concerns without parental consent.
Should an emergency situation arise, the law does stipulate that any person, including a school nurse, can provide a child with medical assistance to include treating a wound or taking a child to the emergency room in the event of a serious injury.
Seven other states have similar laws that require parental consent for non-emergency medical services: Arizona, Florida, Idaho, Iowa, Montana, Oklahoma, and Texas.
The new law requires the doctor or nurse to consult with parents by phone or text before treatment in non-emergency situations.
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) The Knox County Sheriff’s Office is investigating after a Knox County Schools student was hit by a car Thursday morning while waiting on a school bus.
The girl was at the bus stop at the intersection of Thornton and Hughlan Drive in the Farragut area. A passer by noticed her on the ground at about the same time the school bus arrived.
She was taken to UT Medical Center where she remains; her condition has not been released.
KCSO is asking if you live in the area, please check your cameras to see if you have captured any pertinent footage.
If you have any information, please contact the Sheriff’s office; you can remain anonymous.
The crash happened around 7:30 a.m. at the intersection of Thorton Drive and Hughlan Drive, KCSO said.
KNOX COUNTY – An ongoing investigation by special agents in TBI’s Drug Investigation Division and agents with the 5th Judicial District Drug Task Force has resulted in the indictment of 15 people.
In December, TBI agents and DTF agents began investigating the sale of large quantities of methamphetamine in Knox County and surrounding areas. During the course of the investigation, agents developed information that Richard Carroll Baker, a member of the outlaw motorcycle gang known as the Pagans, was the individual leading the distribution efforts. Further information revealed that Brian Batson Fox, another member of the Pagan Motorcycle Club, along with numerous other individuals, assisted Baker in distributing illegal narcotics throughout East Tennessee.
On July 31st, a Knox County Grand Jury returned indictments charging fifteen people as part of the ongoing investigation. At the time of this release, 14 of those individuals had been located and arrested.
Richard Carroll Baker (DOB: 09/11/78), Knoxville – Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Sell, Deliver, or Manufacture 300 grams or more of Methamphetamine, three counts of Sale/Delivery of 26 Grams of Methamphetamine.
Brian Batson Fox (DOB: 07/26/66), Dandridge – Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Sell, Deliver, or Manufacture 300 grams or more of Methamphetamine.
David Eugene Maples (DOB: 07/16/79), Knoxville – Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Sell, Deliver, or Manufacture 300 grams or more of Methamphetamine.
Joseph Shane Moore (DOB: 03/22/77), Strawberry Plains – Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Sell, Deliver, or Manufacture 300 grams or more of Methamphetamine.
Larry Douglas Bradford (DOB: 04/07/71), Knoxville – Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Sell, Deliver, or Manufacture 300 grams or more of Methamphetamine.
Erin Elizabeth Wright, also known as Erin Fleenor (DOB: 10/11/81), Knoxville – Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Sell, Deliver, or Manufacture 300 grams or more of Methamphetamine.
Deidre Nicole Hood (DOB: 08/19/86), Knoxville – Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Sell, Deliver, or Manufacture 300 grams or more of Methamphetamine.
Connie Sue High (DOB: 06/04/84), Knoxville – Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Sell, Deliver, or Manufacture 300 grams or more of Methamphetamine.
Jill Marie Jones (DOB: 11/03/79), Knoxville – Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Sell, Deliver, or Manufacture 300 grams or more of Methamphetamine.
LeAndrea Faye Osentoski (DOB: 10/09/73), Knoxville – Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Sell, Deliver, or Manufacture 300 grams or more of Methamphetamine.
Alicia Mae Kristen Murphy (DOB: 04/08/87), Knoxville – Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Sell, Deliver, or Manufacture 300 grams or more of Methamphetamine.
Bettina Clara Godwin (DOB: 12/03/82), Knoxville – Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Sell, Deliver, or Manufacture 300 grams or more of Methamphetamine.
Charles Richard Robertson, Jr. (DOB: 06/28/61), Knoxville – Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Sell, Deliver, or Manufacture 300 grams or more of Methamphetamine.
Courtney Janene Lewis (DOB: 11/01/79), Powell – Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Sell, Deliver, or Manufacture 300 grams or more of Methamphetamine.
The Knox County Sheriff’s Office, 9th Judicial District Drug Task Force, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are assisting with the investigation, which remains ongoing.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (Courtesy: TBI)
Knox County Schools are still dealing with a bus driver shortage.
While every child still has a ride to school and is not missing any instructional time some obviously are going to come a little bit earlier since those buses are doubling up.
The driver shortage has been impacting schools in East Tennessee for years but Ryan Dillingham, the director of transportation with Knox County schools tells our news partner WVLT that they’re working to hire more drivers.
KCS also has an app that allows parents to track the bus stop and sends alerts when the bus is 5 minutes away.
NASHVILLE— Tennessee’s state forests are undergoing a comprehensive inventory aimed at promoting sustainable forest management.
The Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry (TDF) engaged Steigerwaldt Land Services to conduct an in-depth inventory of the state’s 15 state forests.
“Sustainable management of Tennessee’s state forests is a responsibility we take very seriously,” State Forester Heather Slayton said. “The data from this inventory will provide extensive, accurate, and up-to-date information that will strengthen our ability to steward Tennessee’s forest resources for future generations.”
The inventory will provide better data about current forest composition, from young, regenerating trees to mature timber. This will allow TDF’s state forest management team to develop growth and yield projections with greater accuracy and will enable the team to plan and manage based on current and future forest volume rather than area.
Growth and yield projections are used to develop forest management plans and determine how much timber can be responsibly and sustainably harvested each year. The new inventory data gives more detailed information to internal and external stakeholders, including timber buyers.
In addition, this data will enable TDF to optimize forest health by resetting timber harvest targets. As trees age beyond maturity, they can weaken, creating entry points for pests and pathogens and making them more susceptible to storm damage. Applying timber harvest targets that are calibrated to current data and changing where, when, and how much harvesting occurs will reduce the number of overmature trees in the forest.
Finally, re-inventorying the state forest system supports TDF’s compliance with the sustainable forest management standards set forth by the internationally recognized Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI). TDF is SFI-certified and submits to extensive annual third-party audits to ensure compliance with rigorous sustainable management standards.
TDF protects Tennessee’s forests by fighting wildland fires, coordinating hazard emergency response, providing prescribed fire guidance, services, and wildland fire training. Additionally, the division promotes the responsible use of forest resources by assisting landowners, providing quality seedlings, monitoring insects and diseases, improving urban forests, managing state forests, protecting water quality, and collecting forest inventory data. TDF also promotes forest industries to stimulate the state’s economy. Visit https://www.tn.gov/agriculture/forests for more information.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee hit the field in full pads for the first time on Wednesday, marking Practice No. 6 of its preseason training camp. Defensive line coach Rodney Garner addressed the media after the morning session, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a strong work ethic.
“When I played coach’s philosophy was he wanted practice to be the hardest thing we’d be at (and) he wanted the game to be easy,” Garner said. “That’s the same kind of philosophy that I want to relate to these guys.”
The Vols boast a seasoned defensive line this season, a group that played a key role in Tennessee’s defensive success last year. The unit ranked ninth nationally and second in the SEC with 41 sacks and led the league, finishing sixth in the nation, with 101 tackles for loss.
“Obviously, I’m proud of the guys I’ve got in the room,” Garner said. “Proud of the guys that started out with us when we started this journey four years ago. It is rewarding. Hopefully, these guys see improvement in their game and improvement in the d-line play. At the same time, just knowing that we still have so much room for improvement.”
On the depth of the defensive line from this year compared to four years ago… “Obviously, I’m proud of the guys I’ve got in the room. Proud of the guys that started out with us when we started this journey four years ago. It is rewarding. Hopefully these guys see improvement in their game and improvement in the d-line play. At the same time, just knowing that we still have so much room for improvement. It is definitely good having a great nucleus that can actually set the tone, set the culture, that can start to police itself with the young guys that are coming in saying, ‘hey, this is the way we do things, this is how we’re trying to build this thing.’ We’re trying to build it on a solid foundation. We’re not trying to build it on sand. We want to build it on a solid foundation that can last and that’s what we wanted to do so that it can be tested through the storms. Obviously, there’s a lot of storms and at times, still to this point, we haven’t risen up and played to the level that we need to play at when we get in those storms. When we’re dealing with the Alabama’s, the Georgia’s, the Florida’s, all that on a consistent basis, that’s truly where you’re going to be judged at at the end of the day.”
On how this defensive line room compares to other rooms he has had… “I think they’re really working at moving the needle in the right direction with less resistance. Everybody always wants to say, ‘you coach them hard,’ or ‘you’re hard on them,’ well this is a hard game. Life is hard. So, what you’re trying to do is prepare them for those difficult times. You know they try to say, ‘well you’re a dinosaur, you played in a dinosaur age,’ but when I played coach’s philosophy was he wanted practice to be the hardest thing we’d be at (and) he wanted the game to be easy. That’s the same kind of philosophy that I want to relate to these guys. I want them to really work their butts off. Prepare to be champions and then on Saturday be able to go out there and reap the rewards of their labor. That’s what we’re trying to stress to them. That’s what we’re working towards, and like I said, we still got so much room for improvement.”
On the younger players like Tyree Weathersby’s improvement… “Weathersby is a talented young man. I think right now, skill wise, he’s inching closer to what he was before he got that injury and had everyone so excited. Right now, he’s probably not playing as fast as he was just because his head’s swimming and learning all the different calls and then dealing with me now as Coach G on the field, versus him being in the rehab room when you’re checking on him. Just a different pressure, resistance and all that. So, I think right now he’s learning. He’s feeling his way through, but he does flash, and he does show signs that he’s going to be a really good football player.”
On the praise surrounding this defensive line… “Who’s praising them? I’m not. So, we just try to block out all the outside noise. You know, the one thing about it, when you look at that film, when you study it and you come in there every day and you really look at it and you’ve got to be your own biggest critic – and it’s no different from me as a coach – every day that I’m going out there on that field (and) I’m working to be a better coach today than I was yesterday. Same thing that they’re working for as players. And, you know, we all have a lot of room that we need to improve in a lot of areas. If they’re going to heap this kind of stuff on you, then you’ve got to prepare for it, and that’s the thing like I told them, man, this is not going to be easy. To whom much is given, much is required, so we’ve got to prepare ourselves to go out there and be able to play at a championship level. And that is the challenge every single day.”
On the leadership of Omari Thomas… “Big O is an incredible young man. He’s a great leader. He stands for all the things that a VFL is, and he’s a great young man. He does exemplify what we’re trying to be here and trying to get Tennessee back to the status that Tennessee is used to being. I think he’s done an outstanding job of showing those leadership skills. Now, obviously, he’s got to continue to elevate his game because, obviously, the better player you are, the better leader you are. So, we need for him to up his game and then all those things will even have much more meaning when he says them.”
On how the versatility and different abilities of the defensive line makes it easier on a coach… “Well you know obviously, as a coach, you’re trying to help your players fill their tool box up with all the different tools. They may use this tool for this and that tool for that, but they got to have the different tools in their tool box. Obviously, you try to look at guys’ strengths and you try to coach them up to play this way according to this skillset, this is something that’s really your skillset versus what he’s doing over here, that’s his skillset so it may be a little different. Elijah Simmons is going to be a different type of player than Bryson Eason just because of skillset. You’re just trying to help them sharpen their tools and then they’ll be able to go in that box and pull out what they need at that particular time based off what they’re getting schematically from who they’re playing against and all that, so they can be successful.”
On what he has seen from Daevin Hobbs now that he has had a full offseason… “I think Hobbs is continuing to grow. Obviously, I think his play strength has improved. Obviously, he’s a big, long, athletic kid that’s shown toughness. For him to be able to come in and play in this league as much as he did last year inside, I was impressed by him doing that because I thought that he was going to be more of a defensive end last year but because of injuries and all that he didn’t buck it at all. He went in and played the inside and did a decent job for us. I just continue to see his play elevate, and he’s going to be a really good player down the road for us.”
On how good a self-critic James Pearce Jr. has been since last season… “I think James has grown. Just searching for that consistency from him. I talk to him constantly about being the CEO of his brand and being consistent. He just can’t ride that roller coaster up and down. He’s very, very, very talented, and he’s very smart. He can be elite, but now he has to make sure he’s that every day. He can’t pick and choose when he’s going to be a pro. I mean he’s got to be a pro every day.”
On what he saw from Jaxson Moi in the portal and what he has brought to the room… “Obviously, I was really excited about Jaxson when he went in the portal and us recruiting him and all that. I had one plan for him. He came in and he’s probably exceeded what I had in mind, so he’s sort of deviated my plan. I think Jaxson is going to be a really good player for us, and obviously he’s going to be a tremendous leader. He’s going to be able to command respect in that locker room from everybody. His teammates respect him. They like him, all of them do, so I couldn’t be more excited to have him in my room than any other guys.”
On what this group has taught him for the past six days in camp… “That we need a lot more work. That we’ve got to really improve. That we’ve got to get in much better shape, football playing shape. Like I told them today after we finished running, if we are in great shape, we will be more mentally tough, we will be more physically tough. That’s got to be our challenge. We got to put ourselves in a position where we’re not beating ourselves. We’ve got to go out there and be able to challenge our opponents to beat us, and we can’t beat ourselves, whether it be mentally or physically. That’s got to start in the classroom, obviously, our football IQ improving there, but also getting ourselves in the best physical shape that we can possibly be in. That we can go out there and play four quarters of championship football. That we can play the fourth quarter just like we started the first quarter and be able to finish in the games that really count.”
On how much he has focused on the ability to rotate guys in games… “Well obviously my whole career has been about rotating, so I’ve played 10 to 12 guys everywhere I have ever been. If you look at my history of things, I’m always trying to develop enough guys that we can play at that championship level, but that’s my philosophy, that’s always has been my philosophy. Hopefully, we’re going to just improve our play. I do think right now we probably have more guys than what we’ve had here in the past to be able to do that, so I’m excited about that. I hope that we can stay healthy. I hope that we can continue to improve on the little things because that’s what it’s going to come down to. It’s just the little things. If we’re going to chase greatness, we’ve got to improve in the little areas. Those little minute things that we think are not that important, but they are very important when you are playing against high level competition.”
On how different Joshua Josephs is from last year and how different it’s going to be on that strong side of the defensive line… “Josh is closer now to what he was when he first got here. Where last year, he sort of took a dip and, I guess, went into that sophomore lull. Where now, he’s coming back more energized, more focused (with) more attention to detail. I think he’s put on some really good weight. I think he’s improved his play strength. I think he’s improved his power and his explosiveness. So, I’m excited about this Joshua Josephs that’s here right now, I really am.
“At the strong side defensive end (position), we’ve got some good guys there. You got (Dominic Bailey) and (Tyre West) that do a really good job of complementing each other. They are very different in some ways, but they do a very good job of complementing each other. (Jayson Jenkins) has had a really good camp, you know going forward. You got (Tyree Weathersby) right there with them. I’m excited about the guys, it’s just now about continuing to move the needle in the right direction.”
On why he transferred to Tennessee… “I knew when I hit the portal that I wanted to be a part of a really explosive defense with a lot of D-line production. I had seen that it was very prominent here at Tennessee with coach Banks’ defense. I also wanted to be a part of a great culture. I’m a really big people person, I’m a big locker room guy, so really getting to know coach Heupel and his staff that he’s built and the players that are in this locker room; there was no better place for me.”
On transferring into an already deep defensive line room… “It’s been a great learning experience for sure. I knew if I came here I was going to have to compete, but I know at the next level I’m going to have to compete so I’m not afraid of competition. It’s been great. The older guys, we’ve been able to compete, but I would say that it’s been competitive not combative. We lift each other up. We want to do great, but we don’t want anyone to do bad. Honestly, great atmosphere and great environment for sure.”
On how much bigger we was able to get during the offseason… “Last year I came in around 205 (pounds) and now I’m up to 250, so yeah, I’ve put on around 45 pounds. The highest I got up to was around 255. I’m still trying to get adjusted to the weight, but I’ve been feeling good.”
On what the energy has been like in the defensive line room… “The energy is always there, especially with coach G (Rodney Garner) and the way he coaches. He coaches us in a tough manner but at the same time, we all know why he’s doing that. He’s trying to push us to the best of our abilities. Something I learned from B.Y. (VFL Byron Young) – I heard him say this in an interview – don’t listen to the tone, listen to the message because he’s just trying to get it across and trying to make you better. For the guys, we’ve made it to where it is player led. Big O (Omari Thomas), Big E (Elijah Simmons), really all those guys – they’ve been to us. And just the competition in that room, everybody is trying to push each other to get better and just continuing to build on from there. We’re never satisfied.”
On how tough Coach Rodney Garner coaching style is… “He’s going to coach you aggressively, you know he’s going to stay on you and make sure. He’s more so about building men, as well. He isn’t just all about coaching (football). He is about building character and all that. Of course, he is hard on you but at the end of the day, I mean that is what we all came here for.”
On what it is like getting back from the injury that kept him out last season… “We are about to get right now, so at this point I’m just here to work and compete. I’m 100 percent now, so I am just looking forward to the season and competing in fall camp.”
The head football coach for Claiborne High School, Nathan Medlin, has resigned from his position, leaving Corey McGinnis to be named as interim head coach for the 2024-25 season.
Medlin’s resignation comes as police are investigating a “hazing incident” at the school.
A school board meeting is scheduled for tonight but discussion of the incident or the football coach’s resignation is not listed on the agenda.
Nashville, TN (WOKI) TennCare and CoverKids members under the age of two are now eligible to receive up to 100 free diapers per month.
The TennCare Diaper Benefit is now live, and members are able to receive the diapers beginning Wednesday, August 7 at participating pharmacies across Tennessee; a prescription is not required.
Click here for the list of participating pharmacies from the Tennessee Division of TennCare.
TennCare will cover the following four major diaper brands:
Huggies
Cuties
Pampers
Luvs
According to TennCare, the participating pharmacies will select which diapers they carry from the approved list above. Package sizes and types of diapers from the four brands will be added as the list of covered products grows, TennCare stated.
TennCare and CoverKids members under age two eligible to receive free diapers. (Courtesy: WVLT)
