Tommy ThigpenKNOXVILLE – Unlike seven other assistant coaches on Tennessee’s new football staff, Tommy Thigpen never set foot on the campus of Central Michigan University.
That doesn’t mean he’s unfamiliar with the Volunteers’ new boss.
While Tennessee’s linebackers coach was at Auburn last year, Thigpen met a couple of coaches with whom he’s now working when some of Butch Jones’ defensive coaches at Cincinnati – including then defensive coordinator John Jancek and safeties and special teams coach Mark Elder – attended a clinic with the Tigers’ staff.
The connection with Brian VanGorder didn’t hurt, either.
“I met some of his staff last year,” Thigpen said earlier this month. “They came down last year and clinicked with us down at Auburn. Coach Jancek and Coach Elder and those guys were down, and I knew Willie [Martinez] worked with him.