Rodney Garner said his absence in the spring for a medical procedure renewed his energy and appreciation for coaching Tennessee's defensive line.
That’s great news for the Vols, who want 60-year-old Garner to hang around as long as possible.
“I felt like what I went through, it has definitely made me appreciate – and I’ve always appreciated Tennessee – but it’s made me appreciate it more,” Garner said on Aug. 12.
“It’s made me appreciate this opportunity. It’s made me appreciate this game. And I feel like I’ve got much more to I can give to this game. And I want these kids to feel the same way, and that’s what we’re trying to get across each day.”
In January, Garner signed a two-year contract extension, which pays him $1 million annually through
January 2028. He was retained by first-year defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, who called Garner an “SEC legend.”
Garner is regarded as one of college football’s best assistant coaches. He has produced 38 NFL draft picks in his 36-year SEC coaching career at Auburn, Georgia and Tennessee.
Why Rodney Garner was sidelined in spring practice
Before spring practice, Garner underwent what a UT spokesman called a “planned medical procedure" that limited his mobility. He was out for the first nine practices of spring. When he returned on March 31, Garner used a cane to walk on the practice field.
In preseason practice, Garner mobility has improved, and he no longer uses a cane. His booming voice is as loud as ever. And his critiques of defensive linemen are as biting as they've ever been.
“I feel partially to blame (for players' inconsistency), obviously missing all that time in the spring. Even though it was health related, that was still time for them to grow and matriculate,” Garner said.
“But I feel more energized now coming out there. I feel like I did five or 10 years ago, really wanting to get after them and get them going. It may come across as a lot more aggressive because we really don’t realize how important things are until things are almost taken away from you.”
Who has impressed Garner in preseason practice
Garner was clearly dissatisfied with his defensive linemen during his first media availability of preseason practice. But that’s his standard mode for this portion of the season.
Garner has always gotten the most out of his players by never mincing his words for the sake of their feelings. But he wants a greater sense of urgency in anticipation of the season opener against Furman on Sept. 5 (3:30 p.m. ET, SEC Network+/ESPN+).
“I like my group. I don’t want to come across like that. I think they’re a very talented group, but we don’t have time for them to grow up,” Garner said. “The time is now. September 5 will be here before they know it.
“I can’t find out on September 5 that the stage is too big. If I’m intimidating to them, what do you think 102,000 (fans) are going to be?”
Garner said Penn State transfer Xavier Gilliam and Tulane transfer Jordan Norman have been the most productive and consistent defensive linemen. And senior defensive end Tyree Weathersby has been solid.
UT lost seven of its top defensive linemen from last season’s team. Bryson Eason, Jaxson Moi, Dominic Bailey, Tyre West and Joshua Josephs exhausted their eligibility. Jordan Ross (LSU) and Caleb Herring (South Carolina) transferred.
That left a mixed bag of transfers, veteran rotational players and touted freshmen.
“Nobody wants to hear it about being young, who all you lost, all that. That’s irrelevant,” Garner said. “We’ve got to be moving that needle every single day that we go out there on that field.”
Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Email adam.sparks@knoxnews.com. X, formerly known as Twitter@AdamSparks. Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe.
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: How medical procedure rebooted Tennessee defensive line coach Rodney Garner
