Tennessee linebackers coach compares Vols fans to Michigan fans

Brian Jean-Mary spent the 2020 season at Michigan as the Wolverines’ linebackers coach. Now, Jean-Mary is in his first year as Tennessee’s linebackers coach.

Jean-Mary didn’t get to experience a full capacity crowd during his time at Michigan, but that didn’t stop him from making a bold claim when talking about the differences in the crowds at Michigan and Tennessee.

Jean-Mary: Michigan has ‘more of a tennis crowd’

One of the biggest differences in the crowds at Michigan and Tennessee is the way the stadium bowls sit, according to Jean-Mary.

“I will say the No. 1 difference, and I am not just saying because I am standing in front of you, is the fans,” Jean-Mary said via Knoxville News Sentinel’s Mike Wilson. “I think the University of Michigan crowd, which is a good crowd — I am not going to say it is a bad crowd, it is more of a tennis crowd. We have more of a gladiator stadium crowd at the University of Tennessee.

“The University of Michigan, it is more of a bowl that sits a little lower,” Jean-Mary continued. “Our stadium, it rises and it almost feels like it is on top of you, which obviously makes it a lot louder. It makes you feel like you are in a coliseum like in the movie ‘Gladiator.’”

In addition to Tennessee and Michigan, Jean-Mary has previously coached at Georgia Tech, Louisville, Texas, and South Florida. He spent time as the defensive coordinator while at South Florida.

Michigan’s football stadium has a full capacity of 107,601, while Tennessee’s Neyland Stadium sits at 102,455. Tennessee is currently 2-2 on the season while Michigan is off to a 4-0 start. Next up for Tennessee is a trip to Missouri in Week 5 as Michigan travels to take on Wisconsin.

The latest on Tennessee’s quarterbacks

As things currently stand, Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel doesn’t know who will start at quarterback against Missouri on Saturday. Joe Milton was not fully healthy heading into last weekend’s matchup at Florida. Hendon Hooker got the start in Week 4, but he suffered an injury during the game and his status is uncertain.

Milton was able to play against Florida, he just wasn’t able to get much work in prior to Saturday’s game. If Hooker is unable to go, Milton is likely in line for the start at quarterback.

Tennessee kept the deficit at three points during the first half against Florida. But the Volunteers’ offense sputtered in the second half and was shut out. Florida went on to win the game 38-14.