Tennessee

Macon County’s Kyle Shoulders named Tennessee Titans Coach of Year after TSSAA football championship win

Published

12 months ago

December 13, 2024

Macon County’s Kyle Shoulders named Tennessee Titans Coach of Year after TSSAA football championship win

Macon County coach Kyle Shoulders was named the 2024 Tennessee Titans High School Coach of the Year after leading the Tigers to their first TSSAA football championship last week.

Macon County defeated Melrose, 45-14 in last week’s Class 4A BlueCross Bowl in Chattanooga, capping the seventh TSSAA football playoff appearance under Shoulders since he joined the program in 2017.

“Coach Shoulders truly embodies the values and qualities representing the Titans Coach of the Year award. His role as head coach has been transformative for the Macon County football program resulting in a historical state championship win for the school,” Titans Vice President of Cause Marketing, Josh Corey, said in a release. “He continues to work tirelessly to enrich the lives of his players on and off-the-field, developing character and sportsmanship through hard work and dedication. We are proud to honor him this year and look forward to all he will accomplish in the future.”

Macon County finished the season 13-2 and on a nine-game win streak, led by the rushing attack of Zach and Gabe Borders.

The program had been to the playoffs 20 times since 1969 but never captured a championship.

Shoulders is the second straight coach from 4A to win the Titans’ coach of the year award. Last year, The Titans recognized Pearl-Cohn coach Tony Brunetti with the honor after the Firebirds won the 2023 state title.

For the award, Shoulders received a grant in the amount of $3,000 from the Titans and the NFL to benefit his football program. The honor also qualifies Shoulders for the Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year award. The Shula award winner will be announced in January and receive grants over $25,000 for personal and football program use.

“Macon County High School is honored and privileged to have Kyle Shoulders as the head football coach,” Macon County principal Daniel Cook said. “His character, work ethic, expectations, knowledge, selfless attitude, and his love for players, coaches, school, and community is embodied within our football program. On behalf of our School and Community, we are so proud of the accomplishments of Coach Shoulders and our MCHS Football Team.”

Reach sports writer Tyler Palmateer at tpalmateer@tennessean.com and on the X platform, formerly Twitter, @tpalmateer83.

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Tennessee

Alex Golesh hires former Tennessee analyst as Auburn’s coordinator

Published

11 hours ago

December 12, 2025

Press Room

Alex Golesh hires former Tennessee analyst as Auburn’s coordinator

Alex Golesh was introduced as Auburn’s head coach on Dec. 1. He served as Tennessee’s offensive coordinator and tight ends coach from 2021-22.

Golesh announced the hiring of Jacob Bronowski as Auburn’s special teams coordinator. He served as the Vols’ special teams analyst in 2021 under head coach Josh Heupel. Bronowski was also under Heupel at UCF in 2020 as special teams quality control.

“His track record is outstanding,” Golesh said of Bronowski. “He developed multiple national award contenders, including a Lou Groza Award winner, and has led some of the top special teams units in the country.

“I saw up close when we worked together before that coach Bronowski understands that special teams can be a championship difference-maker, and he’s proven he can develop elite specialists. He brings exactly the attention to detail and relentless work ethic we need in our program.”

Auburn will play at Tennessee on Oct. 3, 2026.

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Tennessee

Tennessee football’s 2026 schedule complete with opponents, dates

Published

23 hours ago

December 11, 2025

Press Room

Tennessee football’s 2026 schedule complete with opponents, dates

Tennessee football will host Lane Kiffin, Alex Golesh and possibly Arch Manning at Neyland Stadium in the 2026 season.

UT’s opponents for the next four seasons were previously announced. On Dec. 11, the SEC released the dates of every conference game, providing the full picture of the 2026 schedule.

Game times and television designations will be announced later.

Texas will make its first trip ever to Tennessee on Sept. 26. Manning, the Longhorns quarterback, is expected to return for the 2026 season rather than enter the NFL draft. If so, he’ll face the Vols on the home turf of his uncle, legendary quarterback Peyton Manning.

Golesh, the former UT offensive coordinator, is Auburn’s new coach. He will return to Knoxville for an Oct. 3 game.

Alabama will play at Tennessee on Oct. 17, continuing their Third Saturday in October rivalry game.

Kiffin, the polarizing former UT coach, is now coaching LSU after bolting Ole Miss after the regular season ended. He will return to Knoxville for a Nov. 21 game. Three of the five SEC teams visiting Neyland Stadium will have a first-year coach, including Kentucky’s Will Stein on Nov. 7.

Tennessee will play Alabama, Kentucky and Vanderbilt as annual SEC opponents in the league’s new nine-game conference schedule. Its other six opponents will rotate each season. That means each school will play every SEC opponent home and away every four years.

Tennessee will have one open week on Oct. 31 and thus won’t play on Halloween.

Here is Tennessee’s week-to-week schedule for the 2026 season.

Tennessee football 2026 schedule

Sept. 5: Furman
Sept. 12: At Georgia Tech
Sept. 19: Kennesaw State
Sept. 26: Texas*
Oct. 3: Auburn*
Oct. 10: At Arkansas*
Oct. 17: Alabama*
Oct. 24: At South Carolina*
Oct. 31: Open
Nov. 7: Kentucky*
Nov. 14: At Texas A&M*
Nov. 21: LSU*
Nov. 28: At Vanderbilt*

*SEC game

Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Email adam.sparks@knoxnews.com. X, formerly known as Twitter@AdamSparks. Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe.

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Dragos Cazacu signs with Tennessee

Published

1 day ago

December 11, 2025

Press Room

Tennessee announced the signing of graduate student Dragos Cazacu on Wednesday. He is from Constanta, Romania.

“Dragos is someone we believe can translate all of his professional experience and success seamlessly to high level college tennis,” Tennessee associate head coach Matt Lucas said. “He’s a very mature young man who has finished university in Romania, so we know the type of student athlete we are getting. Winning ITF Pro Circuit titles, all while doing his degree back home shows he will transition nicely to Tennessee in January.”

Cazacu competed on the ATP Tour prior to Tennessee. His highest ranking was No. 763 in singles and No. 495 in doubles.

Tennessee will begin its spring men’s tennis season versus ETSU on Jan. 9, 2026 at Goodfriend Tennis Center. SEC competition will begin Feb. 21, 2026 at Kentucky.

The Vols’ home opener in SEC play is scheduled for Feb. 27, 2026 versus Auburn at Goodfriend Tennis Center.

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