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According to a report from GoVols247 over the weekend, Tennessee has hired veteran assistant coach John Lilly to its staff. Lilly spent the 2017 away from football, but is back and ready to contribute for Jeremy Pruitt at Tennessee.
The longtime tight ends coach spent a decade with Bobby Bowden at Florida state in the early 2000s. Lilly then headed to Georgia, where he filled a similar role under Mark Richt. His time with the Bulldogs links him to Pruitt.
At Florida State, Lilly served as the recruiting coordinator in addition to his role as tight ends coach. He’s regarded as a big time recruiter, boasting an impressive list of signees for his career.
He spent the 2016 season in the NFL with the Rams, but wasn’t retained by incoming head coach Sean McVay.
Lilly’s title at Tennessee will be the “executive assistant to the head coach.”