Tennessee
Tennessee football to host former assistant coach's team for game in 2026
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.
Tennessee
Three NFL Draft Fits for Tennessee Football Cornerback Jermod McCoy
Tennessee football star Jermod McCoy is the player who will likely hear his name called first from the Tennessee program in the upcoming NFL Draft. There are many teams he would fit well, but these three teams are the teams I believe he is the best fit with at this moment.
1. Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are in need of a cornerback in the draft class, and they are likely to spend one of their first two picks on one. They are selecting at No. 12 and No. 20 in the draft as of now, and McCoy could hear his name called. He would be joining a decent group of cornerbacks, but he would be an immediate starter, likely alongside a later selection that they make with a cornerback.
It would be shocking if the Cowboys pass on him if they select at 12 and he is still on the board. McCoy would be an immediate starter and would be someone who could shut down a whole side of the field for the Cowboys early in his career.
2. Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins is one of the better fits for Jermod McCoy, and it would make the most sense, as the Dolphins could use almost every position after a major haul of their players. They are in a major rebuilding phase and drafting at No. 11 leaves many to believe that McCoy could be in play.
McCoy would likely be their No. 1 cornerbakc the day he got to the franchise, and would have the chance to dominate the way he did in his one season on the field with the Vols. This selection would depend on who drops out of the first ten selections. If he is one of the better players remaining (highly likely) he very well could hear his name called at pick 11.
3. New York Jets
The New York Jets have the chance to be very good when it comes to the draft, as they are drafting at both No. 2 and No. 16. I believe they will be looking to get a cornerback with their No. 16 pick, which would make a lot of sense considering they had to get rid of Sauce Gardner.
McCoy would be the perfect replacement, as they could find themselves in one of the better situations on the defensive side of the football. He can shutdown a side of the field, and I would bet that he would be a great fit with the Jets because of that exactly.
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Tennessee
Nashville Sounds and Autism Tennessee partner to host inclusive Beyond the Label Day for local children
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — At a ballpark built for noise, there is space for something quieter.
During the Nashville Sounds’ “Beyond the Label Day,” kids are learning, playing and experiencing baseball in a way that works for them. Autism Tennessee volunteers stepped in to guide kids through sensory play designed to calm and focus.
From spinning toys to textured fidgets, these tools help turn overwhelming moments into manageable ones. Children engaged with the activities, pointing out shapes like a circle, noticing items like candies, and expressing how nice the experience was.
Adam English, general manager of the Nashville Sounds, said making space for everyone is the goal, even as the stadium announcer calls another Sounds strikeout.
“It’s important for us to raise awareness about autism, but also just make sure that First Horizon Park is an inclusive place for everybody” English said.
The Sounds stadium even has a sensory room for families at every game.
“There’s huge baseball fans that sometimes shy away because of loud crowds and we want to make sure every game out here available” English said.
For Autism Tennessee leaders like Jessica Moore, days like this are about more than awareness. They are about belonging.
“Typically events like this can be super overwhelming… so this is just a way for people to feel like they can come and still be successful” Moore said.
What are your thoughts on making sports venues more inclusive for all fans? Watch the video to see the sensory room in action, and share your experiences with me at kim.rafferty@NewsChannel5.com.
In this article, we used artificial intelligence to help us convert a video news report originally written by Kim Rafferty. When using this tool, both Kim Rafferty and the NewsChannel 5 editorial team verified all the facts in the article to make sure it is fair and accurate before we published it. We care about your trust in us and where you get your news, and using this tool allows us to convert our news coverage into different formats so we can quickly reach you where you like to consume information. It also lets our journalists spend more time looking into your story ideas, listening to you and digging into the stories that matter.
Checking in on Cole: Gallatin rallies around teen battling brain tumor with prayer vigil
Austin Pollack brings us an update on a remarkable young man facing great odds, and his family has one simple request: pray for Cole. I believe in the power of prayer and hope you’ll join me in lifting up Cole and his family.
– Carrie Sharp
Tennessee
Tennessee baseball vs Ole Miss score, live updates, start time, Game 3
Tennessee baseball will look to salvage the final game of the SEC series against Ole Miss.
The Vols (25-14, 7-10 SEC) play Game against the No. 23 Rebels (29-11, 10-7) on April 19 (1 p.m. ET, SEC Network+) at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
Ole Miss has been on a roll. The 8-1 win on April 18 against the Vols moved the Rebels to eight straight wins. It got an ace-level start from Cade Townsend and a grand slam from Tristan Bissetta to secure Game 2.
Taylor Rabe (3-1, 3.16 ERA) will start for the Rebels. Evan Blanco (3-2, 3.67 ERA) will be on the mound for Tennessee.
Tennessee baseball vs. Ole Miss live updates
What channel is Tennessee baseball vs. Ole Miss on today?
- TV channel: SEC Network+
- Live stream: ESPN app
Tennessee baseball vs. Ole Miss game times
- Game 3: April 19 (1 p.m. ET)
Tennessee baseball vs. Ole Miss probable pitchers
- Tennessee: LHP Evan Blanco (3-2, 3.67 ERA)
- Ole Miss: RHP Taylor Rabe (3-1, 3.16 ERA)
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