Tennessee

A familiar crew fuels Jim Knowles’ defensive overhaul at Tennessee this spring

Published

3 weeks ago

April 10, 2026

A familiar crew fuels Jim Knowles’ defensive overhaul at Tennessee this spring

Jim Knowles has installed new defenses in a lot of places. Having familiar faces around is making the experience much smoother this spring at Tennessee.

Volunteers coach Josh Heupel not only hired Knowles as his new defensive coordinator in December, he added three defensive assistants who’ve worked with Knowles in the past. Four players also followed Knowles from Penn State to Knoxville through the transfer portal.

“That’s unique. I haven’t been in that before,” Knowles said of the portal. “So, I think it gives us really a step up. I know there were some struggles last year on defense, but the year before that they were pretty good, so we’re not starting at ground zero.”

How well this new defense comes together won’t truly be tested until the season opener Sept. 5 against Furman. The first public look comes Saturday as Tennessee wraps up spring practice with the annual Orange & White game.

The Vols reached the 2024 College Football Playoff with a defense ranked fourth nationally, holding opponents to 13.9 points a game before losing to eventual national champ Ohio State. Knowles was the Buckeyes’ defensive coordinator in that game.

Tennessee dropped to 91st in 2025, allowing 28.7 points a game with at least 33 in each of its four regular-season losses.

Heupel wasted little time firing coordinator Tim Banks on Dec. 8. He hired Knowles as his new coordinator three days later with Knowles watching practices before the Vols lost the Music City Bowl to finish 8-5.

The Tennessee coach likes the flexibility of Knowles’ schemes and the coordinator’s ability to put players into the best situations based on matchups. That’s why he targeted Knowles to join him after the coordinator’s lone season at Penn State.

“Having been a coordinator and had to go somewhere else too, I think a big part of your players picking it up as quickly as they can, is having guys in your staff room that understand your scheme, what you’re trying to implement and the why behind it,” Heupel said.

That’s why Heupel hired two coaches who had been with Knowles at Penn State in Anthony Poindexter as co-defensive coordinator and secondary coach, and Andrew Jackson as outside linebackers coach.

The group was going to include Michael Hunter Jr., who worked with Knowles both at Ohio State and Oklahoma State, coaching cornerbacks before he was hired by the Los Angeles Rams. So Tennessee brought in Derek Jones, who worked with Knowles at Duke, in February.

Heupel also hired Derek Owings away from national champ Indiana as director of sports performance to help his Vols get stronger and faster.

Of the 22 players Tennessee brought in from the portal, the four from Penn State include the Nittany Lions’ top tackler in linebacker Amare Campbell, edge rusher Chaz Coleman, defensive tackle Xavier Gilliam and safety Dejuan Lane.

Poindexter can see a difference in how quickly the defense installation has gone this spring. Knowing Knowles helps the defensive assistants understand how the defense needs to look. Knowles also was a coordinator at Oklahoma State, Duke and Western Michigan.

That’s because coaches need to know what’s going on before teaching players what to do in a scheme. Poindexter said familiarity with Knowles and what’s being taught translates into how coaches explain details more confidently.

“We’re light years ahead of where we were a year ago,” Poindexter said.

___

AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football

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Tennessee

Tennessee calls special session to redistrict maps at behest of Trump

Published

59 minutes ago

May 2, 2026

Press Room

Tennessee calls special session to redistrict maps at behest of Trump

At the behest of President Donald Trump, Tennessee’s Republican supermajority is returning to Nashville next week to redraw the state’s congressional maps, carving Memphis into multiple safe-Republican seats.

The session is made possible by the Supreme Court’s decision ending protections in the Voting Rights Act, made April 29.

Gov. Bill Lee issued a call for a special legislative session to approve new redistricting maps on the evening of May 1, one day after Trump announced on social media that Lee had promised to do so.

Lawmakers will return to Nashville on May 5.

“We owe it to Tennesseans to ensure our congressional districts accurately reflect the will of Tennessee voters,” Lee said.“After consultation with the Lt. Governor, Speaker of the House, Attorney General, and Secretary of State, I believe the General Assembly has a responsibility to review the map and ensure it remains fair, legal, and defensible.”

Once in Nashville, the Republican supermajority legislature will have the votes to crack Memphis and draw nine new safe-Republican congressional seats in Tennessee and eliminate the last remaining Democrat-held seat.

Candidates are already campaigning in the 9th Congressional District — which will likely be redrawn during the special session. Incumbent U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Memphis, and state Rep. Justin Pearson, D-Memphis, have both gathered and filed qualifying signatures and have been actively campaigning.

Redrawing maps would suspend those campaigns and require candidates in every congressional district to gather new signatures and re-qualify for their races.

“Donald Trump wants an extra seat. And he wants to get it by directing how the districts are drawn and to say they should not be drawn as they are now — they should be drawn the way he wants to draw them to give him the vote,” Cohen said on May 1.

“Civil rights are being attacked through this Supreme Court case. It’s taking away potentially a goodly half of African American and African American-chosen representation in the United States Congress,” Cohen said, pledging to launch a legal fight.

Lee’s call came hours after Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey called a special session to redraw the maps there, as predominantly Republican Southern states begin to take political advantage of the Supreme Court’s decision to roll back protections for Black voters in the Voting Rights Act.

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Tennessee

Heading to the the Tennessee Renaissance Festival? What to know

Published

13 hours ago

May 1, 2026

Press Room

Heading to the the Tennessee Renaissance Festival? What to know

Planning to head to the 40th annual Tennessee Renaissance Festival? Here’s what you should know before going.

Hours of operation

Open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., the Volunteer State’s blast into the 16th century will be held every Saturday and Sunday during May. Adult tickets purchased in advance start at $28.

Parking

Parking waits can build up at the renaissance fair, where parking is free with admission. Peak traffic times are expected between 10 a.m. through 2 p.m., according to the event’s website tnrenfest.com.

Located in a “grassy field,” parking lots operate on a first come, first serve basis and open at 8 a.m. each day. No RVs or trailers are allowed.

Sheriff’s deputies and parking attendants will be on the grounds to help patrons park “as quickly and safely as possible,” the event states.

What if it rains?

The Tennessee Renaissance Festival will operate rain or shine, but some of the experiences may be limited during inclement weather.

“Depending on weather patterns, festival operations may be suspended, and patrons may be asked to shelter in place in their personal vehicle in the parking lot until weather conditions improve and the grounds are cleared to resume operations,” the website states.

Join the safety notification system by texting TNRENFEST to 888-777.

Are weapons allowed?

While firearms and prop guns are prohibited, all swords, daggers, bows and arrows, maces and other weapons are allowed but must be peace-tied.

Additionally, patrons purchasing or bringing bladed weapons must always have the sword sheathed and secured with a cable. Arrows are required to have their tips removed and be secured within a quiver or a case.

Will there be alcohol?

There will not be alcohol sold at this event.

Be prepared for spotty cell service

Due to the remote location of the festival, cell service may be limited, according to the website. The festival’s administrators recommend downloading, screenshotting or printing your ticket, or adding it to your e-wallet.

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Tennessee

Meet the Tennessee high school all-state boys, girls wrestling teams for 2026

Published

1 day ago

May 1, 2026

Press Room

Meet the Tennessee high school all-state boys, girls wrestling teams for 2026

The Tennessee Sports Writers Association announced its 2026 all-state wrestling teams.
Honorees were named across boys’ Class A, Class AA, and Division II classifications.
The list also recognizes the top high school girls wrestlers in the state.

The Tennessee high school boys and girls wrestling produced over four dozen individual TSSAA state champions through 14 weight classes in Class A, AA, Division II and girls competition in February.

Here are the 2026 Tennessee Sports Writers Association all-state girls and boys wrestling teams across the state.

Boys Wrestling

Class A

106 pounds: Germain Velasquez, Seymour, Sr.; Phillip Steelman, Signal Mountain, So.; Wesley Sudderth, Montgomery Central, Fr.; Jaime Sanginez, Springfield, Sr.

113 pounds: Nate Graham, Station Camp, Sr.; Luke Myhan, Soddy-Daisy, Jr.; CJ Weaver, Tullahoma, Fr.; Luke Higdon, Signal Mountain, Sr.

120 pounds: Jacob Stinnett, Upperman, So.; Jay Hill, Station Camp, Sr.; Carter Hostetler, Spring Hill, Jr.; Harold Ward, Greenbrier, Sr.

126 pounds: Ian McCallie, Signal Mountain, 8^th grade; Kyle Nielsen, Spring Hill, Sr.; Brylan Rhodes, Greeneville, So.; Matthew Pennington, Eagleville, Sr.

132 pounds: JoJo Uhorchuk, Signal Mountain, Sr.; Tyson Flavin, Soddy-Daisy, Sr.; Tristen Fowler, Alcoa, So.; Kiivon Butler, Tullahoma, Jr.

138 pounds: Zedediah Hulet, Anderson County, Jr.; Noah Eller, Gibbs, Jr.; Elving Vera, Spring Hill, Sr.; Derrick Bolden, Millington, Jr.

144 pounds: Christian Davis, Signal Mountain, So.; Ayden Jenkins, Soddy-Daisy, Jr.; Lukas Pratt, Pigeon Forge, Sr.; Hayden Harrell, Anderson County, Sr.

150 pounds: Colin Bull, Soddy-Daisy, Sr.; Tamarion Johnson, Montgomery Central, Sr.; Austin Glass, Volunteer, Sr.; Max Cable, Pigeon Forge, Jr.

157 pounds: Braylan Cosper, Hixson, Sr.; Jake Laxton, Soddy-Daisy, So.; Vincent Ward, Greenbrier, Jr.; Duke Delozier, Seymour, Jr.

165 pounds: Ayden Hood, Pigeon Forge, Sr.; Nathan Highland, Spring Hill, Sr.; Lincoln Rich, Station Camp, Sr.; Kaden Weitzel, Livingston Academy, Sr.

175 pounds: Deamion Leavell, Anderson County, Sr.; Cole Neal, Fairview, Jr.; Landon Shaw, Livingston Academy, Sr.; Thomas Solomon, Eagleville, Sr.

190 pounds: Trevor Burney, Chattanooga Central, Sr.; Evan Prewitt, Anderson County, Sr.; Logan Rawlinson, Soddy-Daisy, Sr.; Hayden Moore, Greeneville, Jr.

215 pounds: Houston Retting, Eagleville, Sr.; Darius Sudderth, Alcoa, Jr.; Pete Laxton, Soddy-Daisy, Sr.; Elijah Whitby, Millington, Sr.

285 pounds: Tyson Click, Samuel Everett, Sr.; Rogelio Gonzalez, Cheatham County, Sr.; Christopher Graver, Marion County, Jr.; Mathew Fowler, Red Bank

Class AA

106 pounds: Gabriel Nettleton, Arlington, So.; Carson Gambill, Page, Fr.; Q Dyer, Bradley Central, So.; Logan Raske, Cleveland, Fr.

113 pounds: Noah Watkins, Dobyns Bennett, So.; Emanuel Claybrooks, McGavock, Sr.; Boone Maughon, Cleveland, Fr.; Joseph Marcin, Arlington, Sr.

120 pounds: Jose Cordero, Cleveland, Sr.; Andrew Workman, Blackman, Jr.; Brooks Ryan, Dobyns Bennett, Fr.; Blaise Masi, Summit, Sr.

126 pounds: Dominic Cordero, Cleveland, So.; Devin Corbin, Collierville, Jr.; Chase Smalling, Science Hill, Sr.; Nolan Barton, Nolensville, Sr.

132 pounds: Mason Jakob, Dobyns Bennett, Sr.; Colt Maughon, Cleveland, Sr.; Aiden Rowe, Clarksville, Jr.; Damian Aponte, Germantown Houston, Sr.

138 pounds: Reed Loeffel, Brentwood, Sr.; Tristan Collier, Green Hill, So.; Kendall Lewis, Science Hill, Fr.; Logan Woodard, Clarksville Northeast, Sr.

144 pounds: JD Longley, Ravenwood, Jr.; Landon McLean, Blackman, Sr.; Trapper Lippincott, Nolensville, Jr.; Kaden Clopton, Science Hill, Jr.

150 pounds: Kellen Sanders, Cleveland, So.; Ryan Dietrick, Ravenwood, Jr.; Brandon Harris, Bradley Central, Jr.; Eli Goodin, Blackman, So.

157 pounds: Zachery Little, Summit, Sr.; Luke Louzensky, Kirkwood, Jr.; Maddox Eskew, Ravenwood, Sr.; Trevor Sexton, Knox Halls, Sr.

165 pounds: Jonah Little, Germantown Houston, Sr.; Matthew Anderson, Ravenwood, Sr.; Gary High, Cleveland, So.; Leo Roberts, Independence, Jr.

175 pounds: Brodie Melzoni, Nolensville, Sr.; Barrett Whaley, Knox Halls, Sr.; Braylon Pulley, Cleveland, Fr.; Elijah Reams, Riverdale, Sr.

190 pounds: Yamil Rashid, Stewarts Creek, Sr.; Wiley Suskawicz, Bradley Central, Sr.; Syre Jones, Bartlett, Sr.; Peter Wilson, Kirkwood, So.

215 pounds: Joshua Pulley, Cleveland, So.; Ahmed Shahin, Knox West, Sr.; Jake Sentell, Nolensville, Jr.; Henry Drazek, Brentwood, Sr.

285 pounds: Gabe Moore, Cleveland, Sr.; Dewantae McMillion, Bradley Central, So.; Haiden Cox, Science Hill, Sr.; Charlie Wilson, Dobyns Bennett, So.

Division II

106 pounds: Colten Calvin, Father Ryan, So.; Dominic Simpson, Montgomery Bell Academy, 8^th grade; Triston Mouton, Baylor School, Jr.; Jonathan Comes, Lakeway Christian, Fr.

113 pounds: Tanner Tran, Father Ryan, Sr.; Riley Alcantar, Baylor School, Fr.; Cash Waymire, Brentwood Academy, Sr.; Knox Ritchie, McCallie School, Fr.

120 pounds: Gabe Swann, Baylor School, Sr.; Payne Walker, Christian Brothers, Fr.; Ryley Correll, Brentwood Academy, Fr.; Brody Connell, McCallie School, Sr.

126 pounds: Samuel Comes, Lakeway Christian, Sr.; Axel Ritchie, McCallie School, Sr.; Christopher Phillips, Baylor School, Jr.; Joseph Drewry, Christian Brothers, Jr.

132 pounds: Jaxon Lane, McCallie School, So.; Braxton Eason, Father Ryan, Jr.; Cayden Fowler, Friendship Christian, So.; Carlton King, Montgomery Bell Academy, So.

138 pounds: Malachi Puckett, Baylor School, Jr.; Cooper Mariakis, McCallie School, 8th grade; Trenton Casto, Lakeway Christian, Jr.; Joseph Kennedy, Chattanooga Christian, Fr.

144 pounds: George Emendorfer, Baylor School, Sr.; William Hamilton, McCallie School, Jr.; Jack Quigley, Knox Webb, Sr.; Jax Crolley, Father Ryan, Jr.

150 pounds: Dylan Villers, McCallie School, So.; Kohlton Vargas, Christian Brothers, Jr.; Nick Toth, Father Ryan, Jr.; Brooks Kopp, Pope John Paul II, Sr.

157 pounds: Oliver Phillips, Baylor School, Sr.; Cainan Williams, McCallie School, So.; Ruger Pennington, Montgomery Bell Academy, 8^th grade; Kaden Dressell, Lakeway Christian, Jr.

165 pounds: Titus Norman, Baylor School, Sr.; Jon Cross, McCallie School, Jr.; Leland Hardcastle, Montgomery Bell Academy, Sr.; Kyler Cook, Christian Academy of Knoxville, Sr.

175 pounds: Findley Smout, Christian Brothers, Sr.; Zaydan Morgan, McCallie School, Jr.; Donnis Boochie, Chattanooga Christian, Jr.; Noah Anliker, Grace Christian Academy-Franklin, Jr.

190 pounds: Dylan Reel, Baylor School, Sr.; Brody Belville, Brentwood Academy, Sr.; Jordan Crouch, Pope John Paul II, Sr.; Cooper Ledbetter, McCallie School, So.

215 pounds: Cooper Gentle, McCallie School, Sr.; Tyre Brown, Chattanooga Christian, Jr.; Rock Shurette, Baylor School, So.; Kai Slater, Father Ryan, Sr.

285 pounds: Ryder Smith, Chattanooga Christian, Sr.; Deantowan Malone, Father Ryan, Sr.; Cannon Voiles, McCallie School, Jr.; Luke Skelton, Brentwood Academy, Jr.

Girls Wrestling

100 pounds: Easton Dadiomoff, Cleveland, So.; Alexandra Erb, Clarksville, Fr.; Ella McKeown, Kirkwood, So.; Bailey Leatherwood, Stratford, So.

107 pounds: Cora Finstad, Gibbs, Jr.; Evelyn Norman, Dobyns Bennett, Fr.; Johanna Pantojas, Riverdale, Sr.; Doria Hamlet, Independence, So.

114 pounds: Senna Grassman, Cleveland, Sr.; Tatiana Pena-Corona, Clarksville, Sr.; Gracie Voorhies, Seymour, Sr.; Jenna Ladd, Ooltewah, So.

120 pounds: Nataleigh Shane, Bradley Central, Sr.; Kailee Miller, Cleveland, Fr.; Ellen Anderson, Bartlett, So.; Kayleigh Angona, White Station, Sr.

126 pounds: Nevada Wildheart, Rossview, Jr.; Audreyona Perkins, Cleveland, Sr.; Mya Bundy, Stewarts Creek, Jr.; Gabbie Newton, Jefferson County, Sr.

132 pounds: Carolline Hilton, Cleveland, So.; Emery Wilson, Ravenwood, Jr.; Lexi Dean, West Creek, Jr.; Lily Lentz, Maryville, Sr.

138 pounds: Mariana Bowen, West Creek, Sr.; Delilah Queen, Maryville, Jr.; Adsila Holman, Rockvale, Sr.; Alice Gizzi, Independence, Fr.

145 pounds: Trinity Roberts, Heritage, Sr.; Ava Johnson, Clarksville, Jr.; Laura Gupton, Independence, Sr.; Shelby Williams, Gibbs, Sr.

152 pounds: Sawyer Ward, Science Hill, Sr.; Audrey Levendusky, Montgomery Central, Sr.; Emma Husser, Clarksville, Sr. Maria Parra, Bartlett, Fr.

165 pounds: Sally Johnson, Clarksville, Sr.; Irelynn Laurin, West Creek, Sr.; Samarah Tafiti, East Ridge, Sr.; Ellysia Jennings, Coffee County, Jr.

185 pounds: Lakeria Kelly, Pearl-Cohn, Jr.; Jonna Patterson, Blackman, Sr.; Aiden Pilarowski, Cleveland, Fr.; Josephine Fisher, Riverdale, Jr.

235 pounds: Julia Parrish, Knox Halls, Jr.; Samantha O’Leary, Summit, Sr.; Anjolina Rosario, Clarksville Northwest, Sr.; Shilo Bryan, Moore County, Sr.

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