Tennessee quality control assistant Montario Hardesty has been hired to coach running backs at Western Kentucky with former Vol offensive coordinator Tyson Helton.

Hardesty just wrapped up his first season back in Knoxville in an off the field role under Jeremy Pruitt.

He got his first taste of coaching with his former head coach Lane Kiffin at FAU before making the move back to his alma mater.

Hardesty was a running back at Tennessee from 2005-09. He battled injuries early in his career but lived up to his early promise as a senior by rushing for 2345 yards and 13 touchdowns. He spent multiple seasons in the NFL with the Cleveland Browns before transitioning into his coaching career.

Hardesty arrived in Bowling Green on Monday and will hit the road recruiting for the Hilltoppers.