Tennessee

TACIR draft show latest transportation act to slow down infrastructure needs, not reverse them – Tennessee Lookout

Published

2 years ago

January 25, 2024

TACIR draft show latest transportation act to slow down infrastructure needs, not reverse them – Tennessee Lookout

Tennessee’s transportation infrastructure needs have grown almost every year since 2008, reports compiled by the state’s intergovernmental advisory agency show.

Over that period, lawmakers have partially addressed the backlog by raising the gas tax in 2017 and dedicating $3 billion in surplus funds to it in 2023.

A draft of the latest Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations (TACIR) infrastructure needs report shows the state has over $68.3 billion in infrastructure needs with around $34.7 billion in transportation infrastructure needs. A draft of the report, which TACIR releases annually, was made available earlier this week ahead of a commission meeting scheduled for Thursday, where it is expected to receive approval.

The state’s transportation needs leveled off this year compared to last because the state passed the Transportation Modernization Act, dedicating $3 billion to road building. Overall, the Tennessee Department of Transportation says it can leverage the state funds into another $12 billion in transportation infrastructure contributions from the federal government and will spend $600 million annually as part of its normal budget on infrastructure needs.

The act does not include any funding for public transportation, focusing instead on road building, and includes a plan for the state to create toll lanes.

On Wednesday, TDOT officials told the Senate Transportation Committee it plans to spend $2.7 billion of the act’s allocation by 2028, at which point infrastructure spending will once again fall off.

Per TACIR, transportation infrastructure needs have grown at an average of 4.69% each year since 2008. With the modernization act Tennessee should see a slight decline in its needs, but the legislation only addresses part of the state’s long term needs, a point the transportation department has acknowledged in past reports.

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Tennessee

Alex Golesh hires former Tennessee analyst as Auburn’s coordinator

Published

7 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

19 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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Tennessee

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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