Tennessee has a full football coaching staff again.
Josh Heupel announced Thursday evening that offensive analyst Alec Abeln has been promoted to tight ends coach. Abeln (pronounced ABE-lin) has worked as an analyst the past two seasons for the Volunteers, who have compiled an 18-8 record that includes an 11-2 mark this past year that culminated with a 31-14 Orange Bowl win over Clemson.
"Alec has played an integral role in our offensive staff room over the past two years, and we are excited to elevate him to tight ends coach," Heupel said through a release. "Alec played for me and has been a part of our staff at multiple programs. He is detail-oriented with a relentless work ethic. He has built great relationships among our players and staff.
"Alec is eager to get on the field, and I know we will continue to raise the standard of our tight end unit under his watch."
Abeln played at Missouri from 2013-17, where Heupel was the offensive coordinator for his final two seasons. He spent time on the offensive line before transitioning to fullback and tight end as a senior, racking up 32 career appearances.
After his playing career, Abeln became an offensive graduate assistant at Missouri in 2018 before joining Heupel's staff at the University of Central Florida in January 2019. He spent one year with the Knights before serving as an Ole Miss offensive assistant in 2020.
"I am grateful to Coach Heupel for this opportunity," Abeln said. "I have an enormous amount of respect and appreciation for our players and our staff, and I am excited to get on the field with our tight ends. Coach Heupel has established a clear standard of who we want to be as a team, and I will work tirelessly to ensure we uphold it.
"I look forward to helping our tight ends reach their potential, while also making an impact on the recruiting trail."
Tight ends were the responsibility the past two seasons of Alex Golesh, who was the offensive coordinator until leaving this past December for the head coaching vacancy at South Florida. Heupel announced last month that quarterbacks coach Joey Halzle would be the new offensive coordinator.
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com.
Tennessee Athletics photo / Alec Abeln has been promoted from offensive analyst to tight ends coach at Tennessee.