The 27-year veteran assistant coach, who worked with defensive coordinator Jim Knowles at Duke, officially joined Tennessee on Monday. Jones played at Ole Miss in the mid-90s and brings experience coaching cornerbacks for the NFL. He takes over a Tennessee cornerback room that has been nearly completely rebuilt this offseason, with the Volunteers adding several transfers through the portal.
Tennessee Hires Derek Jones as Cornerbacks Coach
Tennessee has hired Derek Jones as its new cornerbacks coach, completing Josh Heupel's 2026 staff and replacing Michael Hunter who departed for the Rams.