Football
- Title:
- Defensive Line
One of the nation’s most esteemed defensive line coaches and recruiters returned to Rocky Top in 2021. Rodney Garner, a 36-year Southeastern Conference veteran known for developing NFL defensive linemen, enters his fifth season on Josh Heupel’s staff and his seventh at Tennessee overall.
THE GARNER FILE
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Born: June 30, 1966
Hometown: Leeds, Alabama
Education: Auburn, 1990 (bachelor’s in criminology)
Wife: Kimberly
Children: Bridgett, Brielle, Jaiden, Kai, Sydney, Milan
COACHING HISTORY
1990-95: Auburn, Tight Ends/Recruiting Coordinator/Assistant Strength & Conditioning
1996: Tennessee, Tight Ends
1997: Tennessee, Tight Ends/Offensive Tackles
1998-2004: Georgia, Defensive Line/Recruiting Coordinator
2005-12: Georgia, Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Line
2013-20: Auburn, Associate Head Coach/Defensive Line
2021-present: Tennessee, Defensive Line
CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS (6)
2013 SEC – Auburn (Associate Head Coach/Defensive Line)
2005 SEC – Georgia (Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Line)
2002 SEC – Georgia (Defensive Line/Recruiting Coordinator)
1997 SEC – Tennessee (Tight Ends/Offensive Tackles)
1988 SEC – Auburn (player)
1987 SEC – Auburn (player)
POSTSEASON APPEARANCES AS A COACH (31)
2024 CFP First Round - Tennessee
2024 Citrus Bowl - Tennessee
2022 Orange Bowl - Tennessee
2021 Music City Bowl - Tennessee
2021 Citrus Bowl – Auburn
2020 Outback Bowl – Auburn
2018 Music City Bowl – Auburn
2018 Peach Bowl – Auburn
2017 Sugar Bowl – Auburn
2015 Birmingham Bowl – Auburn
2015 Outback Bowl – Auburn
2014 BCS National Championship Game – Auburn
2013 Capital One Bowl – Georgia
2012 Outback Bowl – Georgia
2010 Liberty Bowl – Georgia
2009 Independence Bowl – Georgia
2009 Capital One Bowl – Georgia
2008 Sugar Bowl – Georgia
2006 Sugar Bowl – Georgia
2006 Chick-fil-A Bowl – Georgia
2005 Outback Bowl – Georgia
2004 Capital One Bowl – Georgia
2003 Sugar Bowl – Georgia
2001 Music City Bowl – Georgia
2000 Oahu Bowl – Georgia
2000 Outback Bowl - Georgia
1998 Peach Bowl – Georgia
1998 Orange Bowl – Tennessee
1997 Citrus Bowl – Tennessee
1996 Outback Bowl – Auburn
1990 Peach Bowl – Auburn
BOWL GAME APPEARANCES AS A PLAYER (5)
1989 Sugar Bowl – Auburn
1988 Sugar Bowl – Auburn
1987 Citrus Bowl – Auburn
1986 Cotton Bowl – Auburn
1984 Liberty Bowl – Auburn
NFL DRAFT PICKS COACHED
DE James Pearce Jr., Atlanta, 2025 (1st round)
DT Omarr Norman-Lott, Kansas City, 2025 (2nd round)
DE Byron Young, Los Angeles Rams, 2023 (3rd round)
DT Matthew Butler, Las Vegas, 2022 (5th round)
DT Derrick Brown, Carolina, 2020 (1st round)
DE Marlon Davidson, Atlanta, 2020 (2nd round)
DT Dontavius Russell, Jacksonville, 2019 (7th round)
DT Montavius Adams, Green Bay, 2017 (3rd round)
DE Carl Lawson, Cincinnati, 2017 (4th round)
DT Angelo Blackson, Tennessee, 2015 (4th round)
DT Gabe Wright, Detroit, 2015 (4th round)
DE Dee Ford, Kansas City, 2014 (1st round)
DT John Jenkins, New Orleans, 2013 (3rd round)
DE Cornelius Washington, Chicago, 2013 (6th round)
DE Deangelo Tyson, Baltimore, 2012 (7th round)
DT Geno Atkins, Cincinnati, 2010 (4th round)
DT Jeff Owens, Philadelphia, 2010 (7th round)
DE Kade Weston, New England, 2010 (7th round)
DT Corvey Irvin, Carolina, 2009 (3rd round)
DE Jarius Wynn, Green Bay, 2009 (6th round)
DE Marcus Howard, Indianapolis, 2008 (5th round)
DE Quentin Moses, Oakland, 2007 (3rd round)
DE Charles Johnson, Carolina, 2007 (3rd round)
DT Kedric Golston, Washington, 2006 (6th round)
DE David Pollack, Cincinnati, 2005 (1st round)
DE Robert Geathers, Cincinnati, 2004 (4th round)
DT Johnathan Sullivan, New Orleans, 2003 (1st round)
DE Charles Grant, New Orleans, 2002 (1st round)
DE Josh Mallard, Indianapolis, 2002 (7th round)
DT Richard Seymour, New England, 2001 (1st round)
DT Marcus Stroud, Jacksonville, 2001 (1st round)
DE Tyron Robertson, Buffalo, 2001 (7th round)
OT Chad Clifton, Green Bay, 2000 (2nd round)
DE Antonio Cochran, Seattle, 1999 (4th round)
DT Emarlos Leroy, Jacksonville, 1999 (6th round)
TE Fred Baxter, New York Jets, 1993 (5th round)
Garner, the 2024 Defensive Line Coach of the Year as selected by Football Scoop, returned to Tennessee 24 years after enjoying one of the most successful two-year stints in program history. The Leeds, Alabama, native served as tight ends coach for the Volunteers in 1996 and added the task of offensive tackles in 1997. During his two years, UT produced a combined 21-4 overall record, a 14-2 mark in SEC regular season play, appearances in the Citrus and Orange Bowls and a coveted 1997 SEC Championship.
Garner has spent his entire career in the SEC and enjoyed success at every stop, a journey that includes six conference championships, 36 postseason appearances, eight NFL Draft first round picks coached and 10 All-Americans developed.
Garner’s successful track record has been evident in four seasons on the job in Knoxville with four NFL Draft picks and three straight years with a first-team All-SEC recipient. The Volunteers have produced a physical and disciplined defensive line that forged a team that has won 30 games over the past three seasons, including the program’s first 11-win campaign in two decades in 2022 and a 10-win College Football Playoff berth in 2024.
In Garner’s first season in 2021, the defense finished eighth nationally and second in the SEC in tackles for loss with 108, doubling its total from a season prior. Fifth-year senior defensive tackle Matthew Butler produced the best season of his career, notching 47 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, five sacks and seven quarterback hurries. Pro Football Focus rated him among the SEC’s top 10 defensive linemen in rush defense, and he was invited to the East-West Shrine Bowl and NFL Combine. An Academic All-American and NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship recipient, Butler put the finishing touches on his career when he was selected by the Las Vegas Raiders in the fifth round (pick No. 175) of the 2022 NFL Draft.
The 2022 campaign saw the Vols lead the SEC in tackles for loss per game with 7.2, a mark that also ranked 10th nationally. Garner’s unit was among the nation’s best at putting pressure on the quarterback with 80 quarterback hurries, and it set the tone for a rushing defense that was second in the SEC and 20th in the FBS, allowing only 115.8 rushing yards per game.
Garner was instrumental in the play of 2022 first-team All-SEC recipient Byron Young. After arriving at Tennessee from the junior college ranks, Young registered 23.5 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks in two seasons while working with Garner. He ranked sixth in the SEC in sacks (7), eighth in tackles for loss (12) and was top-five in the league with 42 quarterback pressures according to PFF.
Young’s development under Garner guided the edge rusher to a Senior Bowl and NFL Combine invite. In April, Young was chosen with the No. 77 overall pick in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams. Young has been spectacular in his first two years with the Rams, ranking among the league’s best in sacks.
The 2023 Tennessee defensive line continued its rise and served as the catalyst for the Vols’ nine-win season and Citrus Bowl victory. UT finished 19th in the nation in run defense, allowing only 113.7 yards per game. The Vols held opponents to under 100 yards rushing seven times—the program’s most since 2005—while ranking sixth in the FBS in tackles for loss (101) and ninth in sacks (41).
Garner prepared edge rusher James Pearce Jr., who received first-team All-SEC honors after leading the SEC in both tackles for loss (14.5) and sacks (10) in 2023. He ranked among the top 50 players in college football according to PFF and posted a 92.4 pass-rush grade, which ranked second among all Power Five edge defenders. Just two years prior, Garner had recruited Pearce as a five-star defensive lineman out of Charlotte.
Garner’s 2024 unit catapulted Tennessee to its second double-digit win season in three years and the program’s first College Football Playoff berth. The Vols’ 2024 defense surrendered their fewest point per game total since the 1998 national championship season. UT issued 16.1 points per game, which ranked seventh in the nation. The Vols also allowed only 293.2 yards per game, which was sixth in the country. The spectacular year culminated with Garner being named the top defensive line coach in the nation by Football Scoop in December 2024.
With a multitude of depth and a relentless rotation, Garner’s group led a Vol unit that collected 7.7 tackles for loss per game, which was eight in the FBS. Edge rushers Pearce Jr. and Joshua Josephs, as well as defensive tackles Omari Thomas, Omarr Norman-Lott and Bryson Eason paced the group and were rewarded for their efforts. According to PFF, Pearce generated 55 total pressures, which was second in the SEC. He became a semifinalist for the Bednarik Award, Lombardi Award and Walter Camp Player of the Year and was the first UT defensive lineman since College Football Hall of Famer John Henderson to receive back-to-back first-team All-SEC honors.
Garner’s proteges thrived following the season in preparation for the 2025 NFL Draft. Pearce Jr. and Norman-Lott were invited to the NFL Combine, and two months later their NFL Draft dreams were realized. Pearce was selected with the No. 26 overall pick in the first round by the Atlanta Falcons, and Norman-Lott was taken with the No. 63 overall pick in the second round by the Kansas City Chiefs. Tennessee was one of five programs nationally in the 2025 NFL Draft with multiple defensive linemen chosen through the first two rounds. In addition, Thomas signed a free agent contract with the New Orleans Saints.
Garner joined Heupel’s staff after serving as the associate head coach and defensive line coach at his alma mater of Auburn for eight seasons. From 2013-20, the Tigers won 68 games, two SEC West titles and reached eight bowl games, while eight of Garner’s defensive linemen were selected in the NFL Draft.
In 2019, Auburn’s defense ranked eighth nationally in both red-zone and third-down defense, allowing only 19.5 points per game against a schedule that featured six 11-win opponents. Garner coached consensus All-America defensive tackle Derrick Brown, who won the Lott IMPACT Trophy and was the No. 7 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft by the Carolina Panthers. Meanwhile, second-team All-American Marlon Davidson was taken in the second round by the Atlanta Falcons.
The 2018 Auburn defense ranked 14th nationally in scoring defense (19.2) and allowed only nine rushing touchdowns. The Tigers ranked in the top 20 nationally in sacks (38) and tackles for loss (96). Defensive tackle Dontavius Russell was drafted by Jacksonville. In 2017, SEC West champion Auburn ranked 14th in total defense and 12th in scoring defense, allowing just 4.67 yards per play, eighth nationally. All-American Jeff Holland, a first-team All-SEC selection, had 10 sacks, 13 tackles for loss and 22 quarterback hurries.
The 2016 season saw the Tigers rank seventh nationally in scoring defense (17.1), 11th in red zone defense (74.42) and 28th in total defense (361.9), holding eight consecutive opponents without a rushing touchdown, the longest streak at Auburn since 1957. Garner developed outstanding defensive linemen in Montravius Adams (Green Bay) and Carl Lawson (Cincinnati), who were 2017 NFL Draft selections.
Garner’s first season at Auburn in 2013 proved to be one the best in school history. The Tigers had the second biggest turnaround in college football annals (+8.0 games) and won the SEC Championship en route to earning a berth in the BCS National Championship Game. Garner coached All-SEC defensive end Dee Ford, a first round draft pick of Kansas City (No. 23 overall). Two more defensive linemen— Angelo Blackson (fourth round, Tennessee) and Gabe Wright (fourth round, Detroit)—were 2015 NFL Draft picks, and DaVonte Lambert joined Tampa Bay in 2016.
Garner joined Auburn after an impressive 15-year run at Georgia as defensive line coach. During his tenure, the Bulldogs posted 117 victories, two SEC Championships, five SEC Eastern Division titles, seven bowl wins and six top-10 finishes, including No. 2 in 2007 and No. 3 in 2002. He was promoted to the title of assistant head coach in 2005 after serving as defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator since January 1998.
Under his watch, the 2005 Georgia team finished eighth nationally in scoring defense (16.4). In 2003, Georgia was second nationally in scoring defense (14.5), fourth in total defense (276.86) and sixth in pass defense (174.5, 1st in the SEC). The 2002 Bulldog defense finished first in the SEC and fourth nationally in scoring defense (15.1), first in the SEC in red zone defense (58.8) and second in the league in rush defense (114.0). That squad finished 13-1, won both the SEC title and Sugar Bowl and ranked third in the final national polls.
At Georgia, Garner coached five NFL Draft first-round picks -- Richard Seymour (Patriots) and Marcus Stroud (Jaguars), both Pro Bowl starters; David Pollack (Bengals); Charles Grant (Saints); and Johnathan Sullivan (Saints). He also coached draft picks DeAngelo Tyson (7th, Ravens, ‘12), Geno Atkins (4th, Bengals, ’10), Corvey Irvin (3rd, Panthers, ‘09), Jarius Wynn (6th, Packers, ’09), Kedric Golston (6th, Redskins, ‘06), Robert Geathers (4th, Bengals, ’04), Emarlos Leroy (6th, Jaguars, ‘99), and free agents Ken Veal (Chargers, ‘04), Paul Snellings (Colts, ‘00), Brandon Miller (Colts, ’00), Charles Johnson (Panthers, ’07), Tyrone Robertson (Bills, ‘00) and Demetric Evans (Cowboys, ‘01).
Seymour went on to play 12 NFL seasons and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame for the Class of 2022.
Garner participated in the inaugural Minority Coaches Forum in 2006 and was one of 10 coaches in the 2004 NCAA Expert Coaching Academy. He was among 20 chosen for the NCAA’s 2004 Advanced Coaching Academy.
Garner was a four-year letterwinner at noseguard at Auburn from 1985-88. He was a member of back-to-back SEC Championship teams from 1987-88 and a member of five bowl game squads. An All-SEC performer and honorable mention All-American as a senior at Auburn in 1988, he served as team captain of that SEC Championship team.
Garner earned his bachelor’s degree in criminology from Auburn in 1990. After college, he had a free agent tryout with the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers and played with the Pittsburgh Gladiators arena team in 1989. Garner worked at Auburn from 1990-95 as recruiting coordinator, tight ends coach and assistant strength and conditioning coach.
A standout from Leeds High School, Garner, whose cousin is Charles Barkley, is married to Kimberly Lawson Garner, a 1988 Auburn public relations graduate. They have six children: Bridgett, Brielle, Jaiden, Kai, Sydney and Milan.
