Mark Elder is the tight ends coach and the special teams coordinator for the University of Tennessee football program.
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There’s been no formal announcement from the Football Championship Subdivision program or any confirmation from Tennessee he’s leaving. Elder replaces Dean Hood, who was sacked after eight seasons and no FCS playoff wins. In the process, they missed out on an invitation to the Sun Belt Conference. He spent three years there and three years in Cincinnati with Jones, where he was tight ends coach in 2010, running backs coach in 2011, and safeties and special teams coach in 2012. Elder is also considered a valuable recruiter. He earned a master’s degree from Akron in 2001 before starting a coaching career.
Elder oversaw one of the best special teams units in the SEC this season.
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After speculation that other schools could hire away some of Tennessee’s assistant coaches, it reportedly happened late Monday evening. The Vols led the nation in kickoff return yards. “I am very excited for the opportunity he, his wife Lindsey and son Owen are about to take on and I wish them all the best at Eastern Kentucky”.
