Tennessee hires Weinke as RBs coach

Former Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Chris Weinke has been hired to coach Tennessee's running backs, the school announced.

Volunteers coach Jeremy Pruitt and Weinke worked together last season at Alabama and were a part of the Crimson Tide's 2017 national championship staff. Prior to his stint at Alabama, Weinke was the quarterbacks coach for the NFL's then-St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams during the 2015 and 2016 seasons.

"I'm excited to have Chris Weinke on our staff to coach running backs," Pruitt said in a statement. "He has played the game at the highest level, and what he has accomplished on the field speaks for itself.

"He is also an outstanding coach and teacher of the game, coaching in the NFL, in college this past season and at the high school level. He has a great eye for talent and knows the game on the offensive side of the ball as well as anybody I've been around. He will be a great fit for our Tennessee program."

Weinke, 45, replaces Robert Gillespie, who parted ways with the school last week.

Gillespie had been the lone holdover from the previous coaching staff at Tennessee. He had been with the Volunteers since 2013 and also served as the recruiting coordinator since 2015.

Weinke won the 2000 Heisman Trophy while playing with Florida State. He holds the Seminoles' career records for passing yards (9,839) and touchdown passes (79).