Tennessee's Josh Heupel is adding some help to his offensive staff with one of the brightest young coaches climbing through the ranks of college football.
Though Kelsey Pope has been serving as Gardner-Webb's passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach, he is joining Heupel's Tennessee staff as an offensive quality control, sources with knowledge of the situation told FootballScoop.
An Sylacauga, Alabama, native who was a three-time All-Southern Conference selection at Samford and briefly spent time with the NFL's Arizona Cardinals, Pope has previous experience coaching in Tennessee from his time on the Tennessee Tech staff. Additionally, Pope has worked with the QB Country program.
Pope coached at NCAA Division II Shorter University in Rome, Georgia.
Pope's worked extensively with wide receivers at each of his collegiate stops and provides help for the Vols as Heupel continues to fill out his staff. The contract of Tee Martin, Tennessee's most recent wide receivers coach, expired last weekend.
Heupel has indicated he expects to have most of his Tennessee staff completed by the end of the weekend. He's making moves for his Vols staff in on- and off-the-field roles, including preparing to round out his strength and conditioning staff.
Heupel also has conducted interviews throughout this week for the Vols' vacant defensive coordinator position.