STAFF Eric Russell
Special Teams Coordinator/ Tight Ends Tennessee head coach Derek Dooley welcomed a familiar face when he named Eric Russell to his assistant coaching staff. Russell coached two seasons under Dooley at Louisiana Tech before moving to the Texas Tech staff. During his first season in Knoxville, Russell sparked improvement in UT’s special teams units. The combination of Daniel Lincoln and true freshman Michael Palardy made 15 of 18 field goals. Additionally, the kickoff return teams averaged 21.5 yards while allowing only 19.0 yards per return. The Vols also successfully pulled off two fake punts for first downs and a kickoff reverse that sent true freshman Da’Rick Rogers on a 78-
yard runback. In addition, his work with tight ends helped senior Luke Stocker finish third on UT with 39 catches. Russell, 43, was special teams coordinator at Texas Tech in 2009. The Idaho native arrived in Lubbock after two successful seasons at Louisiana Tech under Dooley. Before that, Russell spent 13 seasons at North Texas, including five as the special teams coordinator. During his tenure at North Texas, Russell helped lead the program to four consecutive Sun Belt Conference titles and four consecutive appearances in the New Orleans Bowl from 2001-04. During his time as special teams coordinator, North Texas blocked 14 punts, including seven during the 2003 season. Prior to joining the North Texas staff in 1994, Russell served as a graduate assistant at New Mexico in 1993 and at Idaho in 1991. An all-state quarterback at St. Marie’s High School, Russell was named the Idaho Offensive Player of the Year as a senior before earning all-conference honors at Spokane (Wash.) Falls Community College in 1986-87. He earned his bachelor’s degree in public relations from Idaho in 1991. Russell is married to the former Shannon Cook of Tyler, Texas, and the couple has a son, Hayden, and a daughter, Hadleigh.
2nd Season at Tennessee >> The Facts
Born: Dec. 30, 1967 (Spokane, Wash.) Wife: Shannon Hinshaw Children: Hayden and Hadleigh
Education
St. Marie’s (Idaho) High School University of Idaho 1991
College Football
Quarterback, Spokane Falls (Wash.) Community College, 1986-87
Coaching Career
Idaho 1991, New Mexico 1993, North Texas 19942007, Louisiana Tech 2007-08, Texas Tech 2009; Tennessee 2010-present.
Bowl Game Coaching History
2001 New Orleans, 2002 New Orleans, 2003 New Orleans, 2004 New Orleans, 2008 Independence, 2009 Alamo, 2010 Music City. 52
tennessee football >>> 2011 spring review
Peter Sirmon
2nd Season at Tennessee >> The Facts
Born: Feb. 18, 1977 (Wenatchee, Wash.) Wife: Lindsay Sirmon Children: Jackson, Austyn, Savanna and Sienna
College Football
Linebacker, Oregon, 1996-99
Coaching Career
Linebackers
Central Washington 2008, Oregon 2009, Tennessee 2010-present
Bowl Game Coaching History Peter Sirmon became the newest member of the Tennessee staff when he was promoted during the winter to assistant coach in charge of linebackers. Sirmon, 34, spent last season at Tennessee as a graduate assistant coach for the defensive staff, spending most of his time with UT’s safeties. That proved to be an excellent match for the Vols, with Janzen Jackson earning a second-team All-SEC nod and Brent Brewer making great strides in his first season back from the professional baseball ranks. Sirmon says his recent playing experience definitely contributes to his coaching success. “I think anytime you have walked in the same shoes as the players, there’s a level of communication and understanding. You’re asking them to do things you know can be done and if things are difficult, you understand the problems they’re having. It’s easier to relate to them.” Sirmon brought a wealth of experience and knowledge to the Vols. The seven-year NFL veteran spent 2009 as a graduate assistant at Oregon, his alma mater. Oregon won the Pacific-10 Conference title that year and played in the Rose Bowl after compiling a 10-2 regular season mark. Sirmon’s coaching input helped the Ducks lead the Pacific-10 Conference in sacks that season with nearly three per game. Prior to a stint with the Ducks, Sirmon served as coach for the linebackers and kickoff coverage teams at Central Washington. It was his first coaching position since retiring from the NFL. The Wildcats compiled a 10-1 regular season record that year and advanced to the NCAA Division II football playoffs. Sirmon’s playing days saw the Wenatchee, Wash., native selected by the Tennessee Titans in the fourth round of the 2000 NFL Draft. He spent his entire seven-year career playing linebacker in Nashville. An All-Pac-10 performer, Sirmon was a four-year starter and letterwinner at Oregon from 1996-99. During his time in Eugene, Sirmon was a part of 30 Ducks’ wins.
2010 Rose, 2010 Music City.
A teammate and roomate from his Oregon days was Justin Wilcox, Tennessee’s second-year defensive coordinator. “Justin and I have a really strong relationship,” Sirmon says. “I think we can both talk frankly with each other and understand that it’s work.” Sirmon and his wife, Lindsay, have four children: Jackson, 9; Austyn, 8; Savanna, 6; and Sienna, 3.