Report: Kendal Briles to interview for Tennessee’s OC job

Tennessee’s search for an offensive coordinator has officially moved on to a few new names. According to a report from 247 Sports, Tennessee is expected to interview Kendal Briles as early as Friday.

The report names Briles as a favorite, along with Alabama quarterbacks coach Dan Enos. Of course, Enos may very well be on Nick Saban’s short list to replace outgoing offensive coordinator Mike Locksley, who is headed to Maryland.

Briles is currently working as Houston’s offensive coordinator. The Cougars finished sixth in total offense in 2018, averaging just north of 46 points per game. That production earned Briles a new contract, reportedly worth 2.1 million dollars over the span of three years. His new deal was signed on Monday, December 3rd.

He’s now set to interview with Jeremy Pruitt not even a week later and has reportedly already talked to Florida State. Tennessee could easily match Briles’ annual salary of $700,000, and then some. The Vols were paying Tyson Helton 1.2 million per year.

Briles, of course, has spent most of his coaching career at Baylor, working with his father Art. He climbed the ladder there, working with receivers and quarterbacks before becoming the passing game coordinator. He eventually took over as offensive coordinator.

Briles joined Lane Kiffin’s FAU squad in 2017 following the Baylor scandal, which resulted in his father Art Briles being dismissed. Kendal and several other assistants were allowed to stay on and coach under interim Jim Grobe. Briles joined Major Applewhite’s staff at Houston just a year after joining FAU.

John Brice also reported Tennessee’s interest in Briles yesterday.