William Inge's coaching journey started back in 1998 as a graduate assistant at Iowa, his alma mater. Fast forward to today, and he's crafted a career that includes stints in the NFL, a College Football Playoff appearance, and even coaching in a national championship game. Yet, despite this impressive resume, Inge remains a student of the game.
This offseason, Tennessee's defensive coaching staff saw a whirlwind of changes, but Inge held his ground, continuing his role after the arrival of former Penn State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles. Known for his defensive prowess, Knowles is a figure from whom Inge is eager to gain insights.
“He’s probably one of the sharpest and brightest minds in coaching that we’ve been around,” Inge remarked, highlighting his enthusiasm for learning from Knowles.
As Inge steps into his third season as Tennessee's linebackers coach, his track record speaks volumes. Under his guidance, the linebackers have become a formidable force in the SEC. Last season, Arion Carter topped the conference in tackles, and in 2024, the Vols' defense impressively held opponents to under 300 yards per game.
However, there's room for improvement. Tennessee was one of three SEC teams to allow more than 28 points per game last season. The challenge for Knowles and his team is clear: elevate the Vols back to being one of the nation’s elite defensive units.
“He knows exactly what it’s supposed to look like,” Inge said, expressing his respect for Knowles’ vision. “For us as coaches, that’s exactly who you want to be able to learn from.”
Even with nearly three decades in coaching, Inge’s commitment to growth and learning remains unwavering.