KNOXVILLE – University of Tennessee defensive line coach Tracy Rocker is the target of occasional jokes about his age from his co-workers, who are mostly in their 40s.
But even at age 52 and in his fifth stop as a defensive line coach in the Southeastern Conference, Rocker’s playing career still resonates with his colleagues and, more importantly, his players.
The Atlanta native won the Outland Trophy and the Lombardi Award at Auburn in 1988 and is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame.
“Tracy Rocker has been great, especially him being such a great college football player and NFL player. For me as a college football player, it’s really exciting to have a coach who had so much success playing,” Tennessee senior defensive end Kyle Phillips said. “He’s really brought fire and energy. For our defensive line, it’s really been helpful.”
Rocker is tasked with helping the Volunteers cultivate depth behind Phillips this season in their new 3-4 scheme. Former ends Deandre Johnson, Jonathan Kongbo and Darrell Taylor are now technically outside linebackers.