Tennessee’s defensive staff continues to take shape, and the latest reported addition comes from a familiar championship program.
According to Volquest’s Brent Hubbs, the Vols have added former Michigan staff member Josh Sinagoga in a defensive analyst role. Sinagoga had been working as an offensive analyst with the Wolverines since 2023 and was part of Michigan’s championship staff that season.
The move gives Josh Heupel’s staff another voice with an offensive background, even as Tennessee slots him on the defensive side. That makes Sinagoga an interesting fit for a new-look unit under defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, since he can bring an offensive-minded and quarterback-minded perspective to the Vols’ scheme.
Before his stint at Michigan, Sinagoga worked with quarterbacks and wide receivers at Youngstown State from 2020 to 2022. He also served as the Penguins’ recruiting coordinator during that span and helped Youngstown State land its highest-rated recruiting class in school history, according to UM.
His resume also includes stops at Central Michigan, Iowa and Cincinnati. Sinagoga played quarterback at Northwood University in Midland, MI.
The reported hire is part of a broader overhaul on defense after Tennessee struggled badly in 2025. The Vols finished third-to-last in the SEC in total defense, and after the season Tennessee moved on from DC Tim Banks and select members of his staff.
Since then, Tennessee has added several new pieces on that side of the ball, including Penn State’s Jim Knowles as defensive coordinator, Penn State’s Anthony Poindexter as co-DC and safeties coach, Penn State’s Andrew “AJ” Jackson as LEOs coach and Virginia Tech’s Derek Jones as the cornerbacks coach.
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