Jay Graham Accepts Position at Tennessee

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) — South Carolina assistant coach Jay Graham has accepted a position to join Tennessee as its new running backs coach. Graham who played his collegiate ball at Tennessee (1993-1996) spent three seasons at South Carolina from 2009-2011 coaching running backs and tight ends. Graham was a strong recruiter for Steve Spurrier and coached sophomore running back Marcus Lattimore, who rushed for a combined 2,015 yards and 27 touchdowns during his first two seasons with the Gamecocks. Lattimore was on pace to become the first South Carolina back to post consecutive 1,000-yard seasons since Heisman Trophy winner George Rogers posted three consecutive from 1978-80 before an injury sidelined him for the final five games. South Carolina ranked third in the SEC this season with 198.0 rushing yards per game. “Coach Graham did an excellent job here for the past three years,” said Spurrier. “He told me that coaching at his alma mater is something he wanted to do. He’s a very good coach and an outstanding person. We wish him the best in his coaching career.” Coach Graham will not take part in the Gamecocks’ bowl preparations. “Jay is not only one of the most accomplished running backs in Tennessee history, but he has also proven to be one of the top running backs coaches in the SEC,” said Tennessee head coach Derek Dooley. “Jay understands what it means to be a Vol, and we are thrilled to have him on our staff.” As a player for Tennessee, Graham rushed for 2,609 yards as a Vol from 1993-96 and ranks seventh all-time on the Vols’ career rushing chart. “I am thankful to Coach Dooley for giving me the opportunity to return to Tennessee,” said Graham. “Tennessee is a program with great football tradition and fan support, and I am honored to join the coaching staff for for the Vols.” Graham fills the Vols coaching gap left by associate head coach/wide receivers coach Charlie Baggett, who will not return to his position for the 2012 season. * Tennessee Sports Information Contributed to this Article