THE ABELN FILE

PERSONAL INFORMATION

Birthdate: March 23, 1995
Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri
Education: Missouri, 2018 (bachelor’s in finance and English)
Playing Experience: Missouri – OL, TE, FB (2013-17)

COACHING HISTORY

2018: Missouri, Graduate Assistant
2019: UCF, Graduate Assistant
2020: Ole Miss, Offensive Assistant
2021-23: Tennessee, Offensive Analyst
2023-present: Tennessee, Tight Ends

POSTSEASON APPEARANCES AS A COACH (7)

2024 CFP First Round – Tennessee
2024 Citrus Bowl – Tennessee
2022 Orange Bowl – Tennessee
2021 Music City Bowl – Tennessee
2021 Outback Bowl – Ole Miss
2019 Gasparilla Bowl – UCF
2018 Liberty Bowl – Missouri

updated summer 2025

Alec Abeln, who has worked closely with Josh Heupel at three different programs, enters his third season as tight ends coach in 2025.

Abeln (pronounced ABE-lin), a native of St. Louis, Missouri, has overseen a tight end room that has transformed into one of the Southeastern Conference’s best. Since Abeln joined the staff in 2021, Volunteer tight ends have accounted for 29 touchdowns — 23 receiving and six rushing. Entering the 2025 season, UT tight ends have scored at least one touchdown in nine out of the last 15 contests. In three seasons prior to Heupel and Abeln, Vol tight ends combined for six scores from 2018-20.

Abeln’s tight ends were a huge weapon for a Tennessee offense in 2024 that ranked 15th in the nation, averaging 447.0 yards per game. Led by Alabama transfer Miles Kitselman and 2024 SEC All-Freshman Ethan Davis, the group drove the Vols to their first-ever College Football Playoff berth and a 10-win regular season.

UT tight ends scored at least one touchdown in seven of the 12 regular season games. They combined for 50 catches for 532 yards and seven touchdowns, while providing a punishing presence for a run game that was tops in the SEC for the second straight year with 225.8 yards per game. Kitselman, who returns in 2025, led the unit with 22 receptions for 301 yards and four touchdowns, which was third-best in the SEC at his position.

Abeln made an immediate impact in his first season on the field with the tight ends in 2023. The group combined for 44 receptions for 538 yards and nine touchdowns, which ranked second in the league. That proved to be the most receiving scores for UT tight ends since the 2007 team logged nine as well.

Graduate transfer McCallan Castles led the way hauling in 22 passes for 283 yards and five scores, which ranked third among SEC tight ends and were the most by a Vol at that position since 2012. Senior leader Jacob Warren, a nominee for the Wuerffel Trophy and semifinalist for the Campbell Trophy, concluded his career second in school history in career touchdown catches by a tight end with eight. The duo caught at least one touchdown pass in six out of the final eight games of the year, including the 2024 Citrus Bowl rout of Iowa to cap a nine-wins season.

Abeln’s development of the group was accentuated following the season. Castles was selected to play in the 2024 East-West Shrine Game, while Warren participated in the 2024 Hula Bowl. Each signed free agent deals following the 2024 NFL Draft with Castles going to the Philadelphia Eagles and Warren joining the New England Patriots.

Abeln worked with the offensive line and all facets of the offense as an offensive analyst during the 2021 and 2022 seasons. He was involved in Tennessee’s preparation leading up to a 31-14 victory over ACC champion Clemson in the Capital One Orange Bowl.

Not only does Abeln have familiarity with Heupel, but he has made an impact at three different SEC programs. He played at Missouri and also served on the Tigers’ staff and Ole Miss’ staff before coming to Tennessee. Abeln and Heupel have worked together dating back to 2016.

Abeln immediately joined Heupel’s staff in Knoxville in the spring of 2021 as an offensive analyst. In its last four seasons, the program has enjoyed its greatest success in decades, producing a 37-15 record, 11 ranked wins, its first No. 1 ranking since 1998 and three straight top-20 poll finishes.

In 2022, Abeln was part of an offensive room that led the nation in scoring offense (46.1), total offense (525.5), passing efficiency (181.4) and total touchdowns (79) for the first time in school history. The Vols shattered 13 single-season offensive records, including total points (599), points per game, total offense (6,832), total offense per game, yards per play (7.2), total touchdowns, passing touchdowns (38), rushing touchdowns (40), completion percentage (68.7), passing efficiency, passing yards (4,239), fewest interceptions thrown (3) and first downs (330).

Abeln launched his coaching career as an offensive graduate assistant at his alma mater of Missouri in 2018 before joining Heupel’s UCF staff in January 2019. That season saw the Knights rank second in the FBS in total offense (540.5) and fifth nationally in points per game (43.4).

Abeln spent the 2020 season as an offensive assistant at Ole Miss. The Rebels led the SEC in total offense (555.5) and rushing offense (210.6), while ranking third in scoring offense (39.2) that fall. They produced six games of over 500 yards of total offense and ranked third nationally in yards per game.

Abeln played at Missouri from 2013-17, where he was coached by Heupel in his final two seasons. He spent time on the offensive line before transitioning to fullback and tight end as a senior. He played in 32 career games and all 13 contests in 2017, helping the Tigers to a Texas Bowl berth. The 2017 and 2016 seasons saw Mizzou finish first in the SEC in fewest sacks allowed with 13 and 14, respectively.

Abeln was part of an offensive unit that led the SEC in total offense in each of his final two seasons, putting up 502.2 yards per game in 2017 and 500.5 yards per game in 2016.

Abeln earned bachelor’s degrees in finance and English from Missouri in 2018.

He and his wife, Hayden, reside in Knoxville.