Tennessee cornerbacks coach Michael Hunter headed to the NFL

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KNOXVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 09: Tennessee Volunteers helmet sits on the sideline during the college football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Mississippi State Bulldogs on November 9, 2024, at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, TN. (Photo by Bryan Lynn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

According to a report from Matt Zenitz, Tennessee is set to lose an on-field assistant coach. Michael Hunter, who was hired by Josh Heupel and Jim Knowles to coach cornerbacks last month, will head to the Los Angeles Rams after a brief stay in Knoxville.

Hunter joined Tennessee after spending time with Ohio State.

The #Rams are expected to hire Tennessee’s Michael Hunter as a defensive backs coach, sources tell @CBSSports.

The ex-NFL defensive back was assistant defensive backs coach at Ohio State the last two years before Tennessee. pic.twitter.com/SchdetVcWT

— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) February 10, 2026

Co-defensive coordinator Anthony Poindexter is also in charge of the secondary, but Tennessee is now left with an opening. Hunter helped Tennessee make several additions to the roster, including Auburn cornerback Kayin Lee, Miami cornerback Jadais Richard, Colorado athlete Isaiah Hardge and Michigan cornerback Tevin Metcalf.

Tennessee was going to be Hunter’s third stint working with Knowles, but he’ll instead move on to the professional ranks.

So a search for a replacement is now on. Tennessee’s current defensive structure has Jim Knowles as defensive coordinator, Anthony Poindexter as Co-DC/Secondary coach, William Inge as linebackers coach, Rodney Garner as defensive line coach and Andrew Jackson as the LEOs coach.

Now removed from the thick of the college hiring cycle, Tennessee has about a month before spring practice begins to fill the new opening.

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