Report: Montario Hardesty set to join Tyson Helton’s staff at Western Kentucky

It was a short stay back home for Montario Hardesty.

The former Tennessee running back is set to follow former Tennessee offensive coordinator Tyson Helton to Western Kentucky, according to 247 Sports.

Hardesty joined Jeremy Pruitt’s initial staff in January, serving as a quality control assistant. He will now take a step up the coaching ladder and become the Hilltoppers’ running backs coach, per the 247 report.

Hardesty played at Tennessee from 2005-2009. He ran for over 1,300 yards under Lane Kiffin in his final season and was drafted in the second round by the Cleveland Browns in the 2010 NFL Draft.

He used that connection with Kiffin to jumpstart his coaching career, making a stop at FAU before joining Pruitt’s staff at Tennessee.