New Assistant Coaches Inge, Sims Preview Spring Football

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – New Tennessee assistant coaches De’Rail Sims and William Inge met with the media on Monday, two weeks before the Volunteers begin spring football practice in the fourth year of the Josh Heupel era.

Sims joins the program as running backs coach after serving in the same role at James Madison, East Carolina, Louisville and most recently Cincinnati, which had the nation’s fifth-best rushing attack last fall (217.1 ypg).

“When I was growing up, being able to watch them (UT) on Saturdays, and in my opinion it was RBU,” Sims said. “You turn around and you watch Jamal Lewis when I was growing up, Travis Stephens when I was growing up. Seeing them run through that Power T to come in here, and they were beating up on everybody. It was one of those deals that you had admiration for the program.”

Inge comes to Knoxville after serving as the co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach for College Football Playoff national title game participant Washington. He takes over a room led by veteran Keenan Pili and talented young players in Elijah Herring, Arion Carter, Jeremiah Telander, Jalen Smith and Kalib Perry.

“Starting from scratch, we have a really good room of guys that are ready to take the next step,” Inge said. “It just excites me as a coach continuously putting them into scenarios where they can be developed and getting them to be able to do things that they couldn’t ordinarily do themselves.”

Tennessee begins four weeks of spring practice on Monday, March 18. The Volunteers host the annual Orange & White Game on Saturday, April 13 at 1 p.m. ET in a limited capacity Neyland Stadium.

Tennessee Running Backs Coach De’Rail Sims

Opening Statement…

“I’m thankful to Coach Heupel for blessing me and my family with the opportunity to come to the University of Tennessee. This is a rich and storied traditional program. We’re fired up to be here.”

 

On if coaching in the SEC was a part of his career goals…

“For sure. I think when I started coaching, you always want to have your feet where you’re planted at that point of time, but you always have your end goals in terms of your aspirations that you want to get to. Of course, being able to get to the SEC was always a dream and a goal of mine. I just worked hard every single day to be able to reach that goal.”

 

On his memories of Tennessee football growing up…

“When I was growing up, being able to watch them on Saturdays, and in my opinion it was RBU. You turn around and…