University of Tennessee tight end Brendan Downs (85) misses a pass during practice, while tight ends coach/special teams coordinator Mark Elder watches, at Haslam Field on Friday.KNOXVILLE -- Tennessee has opening on its football coach staff.
Tight ends coach and special teams coordinator Mark Elder has been hired as the new head coach at Eastern Kentucky, the Football Championship Subdivision program announced early Tuesday afternoon.
Lexington-based television station WTVQ reported late Monday night that Elder would be hired.
"I'm excited, blessed and honored for the opportunity to lead one of the most tradition-rich programs in college football," Elder said in Eastern Kentucky's release announcing his hire.
"It didn't take me long to realize that this is a special place. Lindsey (his wife) and I look forward to becoming a part of the Richmond community.
"It is humbling to have the opportunity to lead the same program that legendary coach Roy Kidd built into a national powerhouse. It's important to me that we maintain the standards, both on and off the field, that Coach Kidd established during his Hall of Fame career."
The Colonels fired Dean Hood, who led Eastern Kentucky to three FCS playoff appearances and two Ohio Valley Conference titles in eight seasons, after a 6-5 season.
Elder is a young, up-and-coming coach who's been vital to the Vols in his three years in Knoxville.
He's helped the development of Tennessee's tight ends while also overseeing a kickoff return unit that ranked first nationally in average per return this season, and Elder was also a valuable recruiter, particularly as the Vols have increased their focus and success in the state of North Carolina.
Elder could not be reached for comment.
Tennessee tight ends coach and special teams coordinator Mark Elder watches the Volunteers stretch prior to their first preseason practice in August 2015.A 2000 graduate of Case Western Reserve in Ohio, Elder spent two seasons as a graduate assistant at Michigan before joining Butch Jones's staff at Central Michigan.
With the Chippewas he coached linebackers, and after following Jones to Cincinnati in 2010, he handled tight ends in 2010, running backs in 2011 and safeties and special teams in 2012, demonstrating his coaching acumen and diversity.
"Eastern Kentucky has not only hired an outstanding football coach, but an even better person, teacher, mentor and motivator in Mark Elder," Jones said in Eastern Kentucky's release. "I would like to congratulate and also thank Mark for nine great years.
"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."
Elder received a $20,000 raise last offseason, but his new $240,000 salary was the lowest on Tennessee's coaching staff. He was the only assistant whose contract wasn't extended through next season. His contract was set to expire at the end of February.
For leaving the Vols, Elder would owe Tennessee 33 percent of his yearly salary, as stipulated in his contract. He is expected to remain with the Vols for the Outback Bowl on New Year's Day. Elder otherwise would not receive his bowl bonus of 8.33 percent of his salary ($19,992).
When he does go to Eastern Kentucky, Elder could take some of Tennessee's graduate assistants, quality control coaches or support staffers with him.
Since Tennessee splits up its special teams responsibilities among its coaching staff, Jones has some flexibility with this hire, though he will want to ensure there's no drop-off on special teams or in recruiting.
Offensive coordinator Mike DeBord has a background coaching tight ends, so Tennessee could elect to hire a full-time quarterbacks coach and have DeBord oversee the tight ends.
Graduate assistant Nick Sheridan is highly regarded by DeBord and Jones and could be promoted, but he may in play to join Elder at Eastern Kentucky.
Jones also could bring in another coach to whom he has ties.
One possibility could be Mike Canales, most recently the interim coach at North Texas. Canales has a background as an offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach and spent a couple of years in the NFL before coaching at Arizona, South Florida and North Texas.
Contact Patrick Brown at pbrown@timesfreepress.com.