Report Penn State Assistant Dl Coach Andrew Jackson Leaving For Tennes

Bonisiwe Shabane

-Jan 12, 2026, 9:29 AM

report penn state assistant dl coach andrew jackson leaving for tennes

Our Friday and Sunday email of news and alerts for Penn State football. The Penn State defensive line lines up during the Penn State Homecoming football game against Northwestern in Beaver Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025 in University Park, Pa. The Wildcats beat the Nittany Lions 22-21. A Penn State assistant is headed elsewhere. Assistant defensive line coach Andrew Jackson is reportedly leaving Happy Valley for Tennessee, per Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports.

He will work with the "front seven." Tennessee is expected to hire Penn State’s Andrew Jackson in a front seven coaching role, sources tell @CBSSports.Was defensive line coach at West Virginia from 2021-24. Helped WVU rank among the Big 12’s best in categories like run defense, sacks and tackles for loss… pic.twitter.com/lB0bli011q This article/post contains references to products or services from one or more of our advertisers or partners. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products or services. Tennessee is making another change to its coaching staff for the 2026 season with the hiring of Penn State’s Andrew Jackson for a role working with the Volunteers’ front seven.

The Vols’ latest new hire was reported by CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz on Thursday afternoon. Jackson’s hire would continue Tennessee‘s push to put this season’s disappointing 8-5 campaign behind it. That 5th and final loss came on Tuesday night in the Music City Bowl, with the Volunteers falling to Illinois on a last-second field goal to put the finishing touches on a season that... The urgency to turn it around in 2026 is showing quickly. Tennessee has hired a new defensive coordinator in veteran Jim Knowles, who won a national championship as Ohio State’s DC in 2024 before spending the 2025 season in the same role at Penn State. Speaking of Happy Valley, that’s where Jackson is arriving in Knoxville from, so his reported hire would reunite Jackson with Knowles for this coming season.

Tennessee is expected to hire Penn State’s Andrew Jackson in a front seven coaching role, sources tell @CBSSports.Was defensive line coach at West Virginia from 2021-24. Helped WVU rank among the Big 12’s best in categories like run defense, sacks and tackles for loss… pic.twitter.com/lB0bli011q Tennessee football announced the hiring of Andrew Jackson as an assistant coach on Jan. 2. He will serve as the Vols' LEOs coach. Jackson served as an assistant defensive line coach at Penn State in 2025 under defensive coordinator Jim Knowles.

Knowles was hired as Tennessee's defensive coordinator on Dec. 11, 2025. "My family and I fired up to be on Rocky Top and back in the SEC," Jackson said in a Tennessee press release. "I want to thank coach Knowles and coach (Josh) Heupel. I have great respect for what has been accomplished here, and we want to continue to help elevate this program. I can't wait to get to work with our guys, as well as get out on the road and build relationships with coaches and recruits."

Prior to Penn State, Jackson was a defensive line coach at West Virginia (2021-24) and Old Dominion (2020). He also served as James Madison's defensive tackles coach (2019), Mississippi State's defensive quality control (2018) and Fordham's defensive quality control (2017). Jackson was a defensive line graduate assistant at Penn State (2015-16), Stony Brook (2013-14) and LIU Post (2013). He played defensive line at LIU Post from 2007-11. Tennessee announced the hiring of three defensive assistant coaches on Friday. Anthony Poindexter will serve as the Vols' co-defensive coordinator and secondary coach.

He served as co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach at Penn State from 2021-25. Andrew Jackson will serve as a LEO coach for the Vols. He was an assistant defensive line coach for the Nittany Lions. Michael Hunter Jr. was also announced as Tennessee's cornerbacks coach. He was an assistant defensive backs coach at Ohio State from 2024-25.

Tennessee hired defensive coordinator Jim Knowles following the 2025 regular season. He was Penn State's defensive coordinator in 2025 after serving in the same capacity at Ohio State from 2022-24. WRIC 8 News reported that a beloved and influential Richmond pastor passed away on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, after more than four decades of serving the community. Rev. Dr. A.

Lincoln James, Jr., was the beloved pastor of Richmond’s Trinity Baptist Church for 45 years, according to a December 18 Facebook post from the church. Having served the same community for so long, James was well known, and many people benefited from his leadership. Great Dog Rescue New England (GDRNE), a dedicated foster-based dog rescue in Massachusetts, would like you to meet Petu, a sweet little dog who is searching for a new home after tragedy struck. According to the rescue, “He was recently surrendered when his primary owner sadly passed away. While Petu will miss and always love his previous home, he hopes to find the next home where he can continue to be the perfect companion.” Get ready to meet a tiny little puppy who reportedly charms everyone around him, and is hoping to charm his way into a forever home.

Great Dog Rescue New England (GDRNE), a dedicated foster-based dog rescue in Massachusetts, has introduced Hotdog, who recently came into their care. According to the rescue, “Hotdog was born to a feral mom in rural Alabama before making his way to Georgia. Next stop? Hopefully, your home!” Miami Archbishop Thomas Wenski and all the Catholic bishops of Florida took a remarkable stand this week, imploring President Donald Trump to halt immigration enforcement during Christmas. A local and dedicated foster-based dog rescue in Massachusetts, Great Dog Rescue New England (GDRNE), would like you to meet Cornflake Casserole tiny puppy who recently came into their care.

According to the rescue, “His mom gave birth in our shelter after being rescued from an abusive backyard breeder in Tennessee, but we're happy to report he and his siblings are thriving! Next stop? Your home!” Cornflake is currently living with his littermates in a loving foster home. Tennessee is set to hire Andrew Jackson, previously a defensive assistant at Penn State, to bolster its coaching staff for the 2026 season. This move follows a disappointing 8-5 campaign, marked by a loss to Illinois in the Music City Bowl. The hiring of Jackson aligns with the Vols' new defensive coordinator, Jim Knowles, as they aim to improve performance after a challenging year.

Jackson had previously enjoyed success at West Virginia, leading efforts in run defense and tackling. Additionally, Tennessee has opted not to renew strength coach Kurt Schmidt’s contract, indicating further staff changes. Tennessee will look to integrate Jackson into their defensive strategy as they prepare for the 2026 season, aiming to transform their performance and reclaim competitiveness in college football. The Vols are making significant moves to revamp their coaching staff, emphasizing the urgency to rebound from a disappointing season. The integration of experienced personnel like Jackson and Knowles signals a commitment to improvement and a shift towards a stronger defense. The summary of the linked article was generated with the assistance of artificial intelligence technology from OpenAI

Report Penn State Assistant Dl Coach Andrew Jackson Leaving For Tennes

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