GENERAL PRESEASON NOTEBOOK
CAMPING OUT
VOLS HEAD TO MILLIGAN COLLEGE
-The University of Tennessee football team will spend a week of fall training camp away from campus, as the Vols will train at Milligan College in Elizabethton, Tenn., from Aug. 9-15. -“The week in East Tennessee will provide a unique opportunity to build team unity and limit distractions,” said head football coach Derek Dooley. “The opportunity to train away from campus also allows for a more efficient move into our new Football Training Center and will reduce the wear and tear on our practice fields.” -The timing of the week in Johnson City coincides with the projected dates for moving all operations and offices of the football program into the new Football Training Center from the Neyland-Thompson Sports Center. With the football team and most supporting units out of town, the facilities staff will be able to complete the move in a more efficient and organized manner and without the burden associated with having the team currently onsite. -With a considerable reduction in the time spent on the Haslam Field practice fields for seven days, there also is a greater probability that the fields will not have to be resodded in October. -“The decision to train off-campus this year is not only driven by the factor of our move into our new Football Training Center but also by the opportunity to maximize the ability of our coaching staff to become further acclimated to one another and the team in a very controlled environment,” said Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Dave Hart. “I support Derek’s decision and feel strongly that we need to make this investment in our football program as we prepare to open our season in Atlanta. This is a one-time situation, and there are no plans to train off-site at any time in the future.”
PRESEASON HONORS PHIL STEELE HONORS SIX
-Six Tennessee football student-athletes were selected to Phil Steele’s 2012 Preseason All-SEC teams, including first-team junior wide receiver Da’Rick Rogers, who was also named to the publication’s preseason All-American second team. -Wide receiver Justin Hunter (second team), defensive back Prentiss Waggner (second team), offensive lineman Dallas Thomas (third team), linebacker A.J. Johnson (third team) and offensive lineman Ja’Wuan James (fourth team) were also honored.
LINDY’S TABS RECEIVERS 4TH-BEST IN NCAA
-Lindy’s Preseason Annual named the Vols’ receiver corps the fourth-best in the nation, headed up by Da’Rick Rogers and Justin Hunter. Lindy’s also pegged the offensive line as the 10th-best in the NCAA. -Here’s a look at the Individual Rankings: -Tyler Bray (Ninth-best QB, All-SEC third team, Strongest arm in the SEC) -Justin Hunter (Sixth-best WR, All-SEC first team, Most dangerous deep threat in the SEC, Fourth-best NFL talent in the SEC) -Da’Rick Rogers (11th-best WR, All-SEC second team) -A.J. Johnson (12th-best OLB, All-SEC second team) 18
TENNESSEE FOOTBALL // 2012 RECORD BOOK
-Ja’Wuan James (All-SEC second team) -Mychal Rivera (All-SEC third team) -Dallas Thomas (All-SEC third team)
ATHLON ACCOLADES FOR TRIO
-Athlon has placed Da’Rick Rogers on its All-SEC first Team. He is joined by Justin Hunter as a second team receiver. -Quarterback Tyler Bray is listed as the SEC third-team signal caller.
BLUE RIBBON HONORS DA’RICK ROGERS
-Blue Ribbon’s preseason magazine selected Da’Rick Rogers as a first-team All-SEC selection.
STAFF ADDITIONS SAL SUNSERI - DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR
-Bringing a wealth of experience, Sal Sunseri was hired as Tennessee’s defensive coordinator on Jan. 13, 2012. Sunseri came to UT after working with Alabama’s linebackers the previous three seasons. -Sunseri spent 1994 as Illinois State’s defensive coordinator and also held the title at Alabama A&M from 1998-99, but has served in multiple roles on the defensive side of the ball. Before arriving at Alabama, Sunseri coached the Carolina Panthers’ defensive line for seven seasons, including a trip to the Super Bowl in 2003. -In one of his 27 years of coaching experience, Sunseri worked alongside UT head coach Derek Dooley at LSU in 2000. -Sunseri, named the 2011 recruiter of the year by 247sports. com, helped lead a defense at Alabama that finished first in total defense, rushing defense, passing defense and scoring defense in 2011. -For Sunseri’s full coaching career and bio, see page 29.
DERRICK ANSLEY - CORNERBACKS
-Hired on Feb. 3, 2012, Derrick Ansley joins the Vols as cornerbacks coach from Central Florida, where he was recently named defensive backs coach following two seasons as an assistant in the secondary at Alabama from 2010-11. -Ansley helped lead an Alabama defense that led the nation in total defense, scoring defense, rushing defense, passing defense and pass efficiency defense. -Also coaching defensive backs for five seasons at Huntingdon College, Ansley played collegiately at Troy University, where he finished fifth in the nation with nine interceptions in 2003. -For Ansley’s full coaching career and bio, see page 30.
CHARLIE COINER - SPECIAL TEAMS/TIGHT ENDS
-Charlie Coiner brings 27 years of coaching experience to the Vols, including nine at the NFL level. Coiner comes to Tennessee from North Carolina, where he spent 2010 as a defensive assistant. -Before arriving at UNC, Coiner spent four seasons with the Buffalo Bills and five with the Chicago Bears. -Coiner also has SEC experience, coaching special teams at LSU in 1999 and at Vanderbilt from 1991-93. -For Coiner’s full coaching career and bio, see page 30.
JOSH CONKLIN - SAFETIES
-After spending the last two seasons serving as the defensive coordinator and safeties coach at The Citadel, Josh Conklin was hired as Tennessee’s safeties coach.