Tennessee

Tennessee football to host former assistant coach's team for game in 2026

Published

11 months ago

April 9, 2025

Press Room

Tennessee football to host former assistant coach’s team for game in 2026

Tennessee football’s future schedule is coming into a clearer view.

Along with the news that the Vols would play Georgia Tech for a home-and-home in 2026 and 2027, Tennessee will also host a different team from the Peach State.

In 2026, the Vols are set to welcome Kennesaw State into Neyland Stadium. The game will be played on Sept. 19, 2025, with a kickoff time and TV designation yet to be decided.

TALK ABOUT IT IN THE ROCKY TOP FORUM

Familiar connections

Kennesaw State is currently coached by Jerry Mack as he enters his first season as head coach. Mack was the running backs coach on Josh Heupel’s staff at Tennessee from 2021-23 before taking the same position with the NFL’s Jaguars.

He served as head coach at NC Central for four seasons from 2014-17 where he won three MEAC titles, as well.

A number of former Tennessee assistants joined Mack on his staff as he attempts to build up Kennesaw State.

Mitch Militello serves as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the Owls. He spent four seasons on the offensive staff at Tennessee as an offensive analyst. He was also an offensive graduate assistant at Central Florida and Missouri.

Kennesaw State’s special teams coordinator and tight ends coach, Kyle Blocker, also joins Mack’s staff. He was a special teams analyst with the Vols from 2022-23. Most recently, he took the job as special teams coordinator at Miami (Ohio).

Mack has assigned his running back room to Aston Walter, as well. Walter was an offensive assistant at Tennessee from 2023-24, working with Mack in the 2023 season.

2026 schedule

This now marks three out-of-conference games slated on Tennessee’s 2026 schedule.

Along with Kennesaw State being played at home on Sept. 19 and a trip to Atlanta to play Georgia Tech on Sept. 12, the other scheduled game is against Furman on Sept. 5 in Knoxville.

SEC schedules are yet to be announced for the 2026 campaign. There are still ongoing discussions on whether it will remain an eight-game conference format or if a ninth SEC matchup will be added to the schedule.

Past 2026, Tennessee is scheduled to host Georgia Tech and Western Michigan in 2027, play West Virginia on a neutral field in Charlotte in 2028, host Washington in 2029 and return the trip to Seattle to play the Huskies in 2030.

Who is Kennesaw State football

Kennesaw State is headed into its first year under Mack. The Owls have made a recent transition to the FBS level, beginning on July 1, 2024. In Their lone season in the Conference USA, Kennesaw State went 2-10 (2-6 CUSA).

The Owls’ first win as an FBS team came over Liberty and former Vol quarterback Kaidon Salter.

Kennesaw State began its football program in 2015. Brian Bohannon was the first head coach and served until being let go following the 2024 season.

While coaching the Owls, he steered the program to a 72–37 (.661) record, four FCS Playoff appearances and a trio of conference titles.

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Tennessee

Tennessee releases availability update on star Nate Ament following injury

Published

9 hours ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

Tennessee releases availability update on star Nate Ament following injury

Tennessee star Nate Ament will miss a game against South Carolina on Tuesday, the program announced on Monday night. Ament was injured during a weekend contest against Alabama.

Ament was injured when he was rolled up on while going for a loose ball. His leg twisted awkwardly underneath him, and Ament immediately went to the locker room.

He would return briefly in the second half. Nate Ament even made a basket, but then he appeared to tweak his injury shortly after and returned to the bench. He did not re-enter the contest.

Tennessee issued a short statement on his availability against South Carolina. The program released the statement on Twitter.

“Nate Ament will not play tomorrow night at South Carolina,” Tennessee wrote. “Ament is out due to a right leg injury sustained Saturday against Alabama. The timetable for his return is to be determined and he will continue to be evaluated.”

A 6-foot-10, 207-pound freshman, Ament has been one of Tennessee’s best players all season. He is the team’s second-leading scorer, averaging 17.4 points per game. He’s also the team’s leading rebounder, securing 6.4 rebounds per game.

Nate Ament signs NIL deal with Reebok

On3’s Nick Schultz recently published a list of some of the top brands to sign college basketball freshmen to NIL deals. Ament was one of the top signees.

In addition to Arkansas star Darius Acuff, Ament signed with Reebok this year. Ament was the crown jewel of Tennessee’s recruiting class. He signed with the brand in October 2024 while he was the No. 4 overall player from the 2025 cycle, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking.

Nate Ament sits second on the Tennessee roster with 17.4 points per game, and his 6.4 rebounds on average leads the Vols. Additionally, his $1.3 million On3 NIL Valuation ranks No. 14 in college basketball and No. 56 in the On3 NIL 100.

On3’s Nick Schultz also contributed to this report.

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Tennessee

Volunteers needed for community-wide cleanup day with Hands On Nashville

Published

21 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

Volunteers needed for community-wide cleanup day with Hands On Nashville

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — On Thursday, Hands On and NewsChannel 5 staff will come together for a community-wide cleanup day.

The event, sponsored by NewsChannel 5 will take place from 9:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. on Thursday, March 5 as we assist in winter storm cleanup.

If you’d like to help volunteer, you can sign up here.

Rhori, Carrie, Lelan and Brittany will all be helping assist residents removing and sorting debris.

Important details for those wishing to volunteer:

This may require lifting and carrying objects that weigh 20+ pounds.
Closed-toe shoes and long pants required. Heavy soles and steel toes preferred. Gloves and safety goggles will be provided, or you may bring your own.
Current tetanus vaccination recommended. Chainsaws, utility crews, and heavy equipment will be active in the area.
Volunteers under the age of 18 are prohibited from participating.
Eat before you arrive and bring a water bottle, if needed.

Nashville’s Jefferson Street Sound Museum named stop on U.S. Civil Rights Trail

The Jefferson Street Sound Museum is a great little gem in North Nashville. The founder and curator turned his home into a museum to keep the legacy of historic Jefferson street alive. Now, it’s been named a stop on the U.S. Civil Rights Trail. Aaron Cantrell takes us inside.

– Lelan Statom

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Vanderbilt women’s basketball beats Lady Vols for second-ever win in Knoxville

Published

1 day ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

Vanderbilt women’s basketball beats Lady Vols for second-ever win in Knoxville

KNOXVILLE ― Vanderbilt women’s basketball won at Tennessee for only the second time in program history, beating the Lady Vols 87-77 at Food City Center on March 1.

The Commodores (27-3, 13-3) are the No. 2 seed in the SEC Tournament, which begins March 4 in Greenville, South Carolina.

The regular-season finale featured multiple runs by both teams. Tennessee went on an 8-0 run in the second quarter and took a six-point lead into halftime. Vanderbilt went on an 8-0 run to end the third quarter, then went a 10-0 run in the fourth to put the game away.

The Commodores, who shot 53% from the field, were led by Mikayla Blakes, who finished with 34 points. Aubrey Galvan had 24 points, four rebounds and five assists, and Sacha Washington had 16 points, eight rebounds and two assists.

“The season has been really special, to be able to end it here at Tennessee with a win and secure I think the No. 2 seed in the SEC tournament,” coach Shea Ralph said. “So the double bye, it feels really cool. I’m happy for the team, but we are literally just getting started.”

Tennessee (16-12, 8-8) outrebounded Vanderbilt 32-29. The Commodores shot 17-for-20 on layups and had 27 fast-break points. Tennessee was 10-for-24 on layups.

Vanderbilt’s SEC Tournament seed

The SEC Tournament will be held at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina. Vanderbilt will start play on March 6 and holds a bye into the quarterfinals, where it will play the No. 7 or No. 10 seed at approximately 5 p.m. CT.

Mikayla Blakes stats

Blakes put up another 30-point performance, her third straight and eighth in her past nine games. She added six rebounds and four assists, but also had six turnovers.

She made six 3-pointers, which ties her season high.

“She had 34 but her biggest buckets were when we had to happen,” Ralph said. “Her biggest moments in this game were when we had to happen. That kid shows up every time.”

Third straight rivalry win

Vanderbilt now has three straight wins over the Lady Vols, beating them last season in Nashville and once in the SEC Tournament.

“I think Tennessee is a great team,” Ralph said. “They will be for as long as women’s basketball exists. Playing here in front of this crowd is tough. It’s tough. So I was really proud of our team for being able to figure it out the second half and win, especially here at Tennessee.”

The Commodores have their most SEC wins in program history.

Aria Gerson covers Vanderbilt athletics for The Tennessean. Contact her at agerson@gannett.com or on X @aria_gerson.

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