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Tennessee

Contract details on Tennessee's new hire and promotions

On3 imageby: Brent Hubbs02/18/25Brent_Hubbs
Special teams coordinator Evan Crabtree

Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel has completed his staff and two returning coaches have new deals.

As Volquest first reported on Tuesday, Heupel has promoted analyst Levorn “Chop” Harbin to outside linebackers coach.

Harbin is receiving a two year deal that will pay him $350,000 this season. Harbin made $325,000 last year as an analyst. Harbin has been one of the Vols best recruiter and spent all of January on the road recruiting in his analyst role. 

Analyst Evan Crabtree has been promoted to special teams coordinator. Crabtree as a coordinator is getting a 3 year deal what will pay him $250,000 a year. 

Veteran special teams coach John Bonamego is joining Heupel’s staff. Bonamego is on a one year contract and will be paid $200,000 this year. 

Bonamego, who has 34 years of coaching experience, including stints at six NFL teams as a special teams coordinator or assistant, and most recently was a part of the Iowa State coaching staff as a Senior Special Teams Analyst.

A good chunk of Bonamego’s career has come in the NFL as a special teams coach. Considered a special teams innovator, he started his NFL coaching career in 1999. In all, Bonamego has worked as either a special teams assistant or coordinator for six different NFL teams: Jacksonville Jaguars (1999-2002, 2012), Green Bay Packers (2003-05), New Orleans Saints (2006-07, 2011), Miami Dolphins (2008-10), Detroit Lions (2013-14, 2019) and Los Angeles Rams (2020).

In addition to the hire and promotions, Tennessee cornerbacks coach Willie Martinez is receiving a two year extension. He will continue to make $540,000 a year. 

Strength coach Kurt Schmidt is receiving a one year deal that will continue to pay him $475,000 annually. 

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