Vols hire Chris Weinke, complete Pruitt's inaugural staff

Tennessee tabbed Chris Weinke for its open staff position Wednesday, sources told VolQuest.com.

After Robert Gillespie was let go Tuesday, Vols first-year head coach Jeremy Pruitt quickly assembled a shortlist of candidates, with the former FSU Heisman Trophy winner and current Alabama offensive analyst topping the group to become the Vols’ new running backs coach.

Weinke interviewed for a position on Pruitt’s staff in December, and per sources, was all set to come to Knoxville as an on-field assistant before the deal fell through.

He arrived in town on Wednesday evening from Tuscaloosa and begins work on Thursday.

Weinke, 45, was the former head coach at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., from 2010-14. Later, he was the quarterbacks coach for the then St. Louis Rams for two seasons (2015-16) before serving as an analyst at Alabama last year.

Weinke interviewed on Rocky Top last season when former head coach Butch Jones was looking for an offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.

ASA junior college head coach Joe Osovet announced on his Twitter on Wednesday that he will be joining Pruitt’s staff as well. Sources tell Volquest that will be in an off-the-field role. Osovet is known as a bright offensive mind.