University of Tennessee Athletics
Football
Jean-Mary, Brian
Brian Jean-Mary
- Title:
- Linebackers
updated June 2023
Brian Jean-Mary, a 23-year coaching veteran and an elite recruiter who made an impact at Michigan, Texas, Louisville and USF, enters his third season as linebackers coach at Tennessee.Â
Jean-Mary (pronounced ZHAHN-muh-REE) served on the defensive staffs of Charlie Strong, first at Louisville (2010-13) as assistant head coach/linebackers coach, then at Texas (2014-16) as linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator and finally at USF (2017-19). He has coached in 18 bowl games and been a part of four conference championships during his coaching tenure.
Jean-Mary’s first season on Rocky Top in 2021 saw the Volunteers establish an attacking defensive identity even despite a lack of depth and multiple injuries at linebacker. Tennessee finished the year tied for eighth in the nation and second in the SEC in tackles for loss with 108, nearly doubling its total from a year prior to his arrival.
Will linebacker Jeremy Banks, a product of Jean-Mary’s tutelage, led the way for the Vols. The redshirt junior ranked second in the SEC and tied for seventh in the nation in total tackles with 128. That tally was the most by a Vol in a season since A.J. Johnson logged 138 tackles in 2012. Banks also tied for the team lead in tackles for loss (11.5) and sacks (5.5).
Jean-Mary’s presence helped the Vols to a national resurgence in 2021 en route to winning seven games an appearance in the TransPerfect Music City Bowl. The following season, Jean-Mary’s unit flourished again as Tennessee won 11 games for the first time in two decades highlighted by victories over six ranked teams, including Pittsburgh, Florida, LSU, Alabama, Kentucky and Clemson in the Orange Bowl.
Jean-Mary mentored Aaron Beasley, who was the Vols’ leading tackler with 76 tackles and a team-high 13 tackles for loss. Beasley was dominant in the Orange Bowl win over the Tigers, racking up 12 tackles, four tackles for loss and two sacks. He was named to the Associated Press All-Bowl Team for his efforts. Banks chipped in 53 tackles and was invited to the NFL Combine following the season before signing a free agent deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Jean-Mary has played a critical role in helping the Vols sign back-to-back top-12 recruiting classes. He signed a trio of outstanding linebackers for the Class of 2023, including the state of Tennessee’s No. 2 overall prospect in Arion Carter. He also brought in highly touted transfer Keenan Pili of BYU. Jean-Mary’s linebacking group is poised for a promising future.
Jean-Mary helped produce a trio of top-15 signing classes at Texas, improving from 15th in 2014 to seventh in 2015 and eighth in 2016. He also had a top-30 class at Louisville in 2011 (27th) and the nation’s 15th-best class at Georgia Tech in 2007.
At Michigan in 2020, Jean-Mary coached senior linebacker Josh Ross, who finished the COVID-19 shortened season with a team-best 53 tackles. He also ranked eighth in the Big Ten in tackles per game (8.83). Fellow senior linebacker Adam Shibley was also a semifinalist for the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year award. Following the season, junior linebacker Cameron McGrone was selected in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots.
As defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at USF, Jean-Mary's units were consistently among the nation's best in turnovers created, tackles for loss and pass defense. In his first year, USF was top 25 nationally in six categories, including sacks per game (3.0, 11th) and interceptions (20, second). The Bulls led The American Conference in total defense (359.8) and scoring defense (21.5 points per game), improving from 120th in total defense and 92nd in scoring defense to 37th and 41st, respectively, after Jean-Mary's arrival. Defensive tackle Deadrin Senat was one of five all-conference defenders before being drafted in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft.
USF forced 69 turnovers across Jean-Mary's three seasons (24, 21, 24) and ranked top 30 in the FBS in that area twice. The Bulls also ranked top five in tackles for loss per game twice (8.4 and 8.3 per game in 2017, '19), while ranking No. 4 in red zone defense in 2019 (67.4 percent).
During his time as the linebackers coach at Texas, Jean-Mary developed four All-Big 12 players and an All-American in Jordan Hicks (2014). Texas was top 25 nationally in six categories in 2014, including sacks (11th). The Longhorns averaged more than 3.0 sacks per game in all three years Jean-Mary was at Texas, ranking top-five nationally in his last two seasons.
UT also led the nation in recovered fumbles (21) in 2014 and ranked 11th in 2015 (12). Hicks was selected in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft, and Jean-Mary's former players Lorenzo Mauldin and Deiontrez Mount (from his days at Louisville) were also chosen.
Before Texas, Jean-Mary worked as assistant head coach and linebackers coach at Louisville where the Cardinals won 37 games and two Big East Championships (2011, '12) across four seasons. UL compiled a 3-1 bowl game record culminating with a victory over No. 4 Florida in the 2013 Sugar Bowl. Louisville's .885 win percentage (23-3) over the 2012-13 seasons was the fourth-best mark in the country during that time.
Jean-Mary's tenure at Louisville began with back-to-back 7-6 seasons in 2010-11 and a share of the 2011 Big East Title. The defense was top 20 in five categories in both seasons, including top-10 marks in pass defense (167.4 yards per game, ninth) and sacks per game (3.0, sixth) in 2010 and rushing defense (100.5 yards per game, 10th) in 2011.
The Cardinals took a step forward in 2012, going 11-2 to finish 13th in the BCS Standings with top-25 marks in passing defense and total defense. In 2013, Jean-Mary's unit was among the nation's best, leading the country in five areas: total defense (251.5), rushing defense (80.7), sacks per game (3.31), first downs allowed (183) and third-down defense (26.7 percent). The defense was second in the FBS in scoring defense (12.2) and top 10 in four other categories. Five Cardinals were selected in the NFL Draft during his time there: defensive backs Calvin Pryor (2014, first round) and Johnny Patrick (2011, third round), defensive ends Marcus Smith (2014, first round) and Greg Scruggs (2012, seventh round), and linebacker Preston Brown (2014, third round).
Jean-Mary spent six seasons coaching linebackers at Georgia Tech from 2004-09, guiding the defense to top 30 seasons in rushing defense, scoring defense and total defense in five of his six years on staff. The Yellow Jackets led the nation in sacks and ranked second in tackles for loss in 2007 and finished top 20 in both categories the next season as well. In 2009, Georgia Tech went 11-3 with an ACC Championship and went on to appear in the 2010 FedEx Orange Bowl. Linebacker Gerris Wilkinson (2005) and Philip Wheeler (2008) were third-round NFL Draft picks under Jean-Mary.
Jean-Mary got started as a graduate assistant on the strength and conditioning staff at Louisville in 2000 before spending two seasons under Lou Holtz at South Carolina where he was a defensive graduate assistant coach (2001-02). He then got his first full-time coaching job at North Alabama (2003), a highly successful NCAA Division II program, where he helped the Lions go 13-2, win the Gulf South Conference Championship and clinch a berth in the semifinals of the 2003 NCAA Division II playoffs while allowing 14.1 points per game (sixth nationally).
A native of Apopka, Florida, Jean-Mary earned his bachelor's degree in political science from Appalachian State in 1998. He played linebacker for the Mountaineers from 1993-97.
He and his wife, Jerilyn Ardis, have two daughters, Brooke and Brittany.
Brian Jean-Mary, a 23-year coaching veteran and an elite recruiter who made an impact at Michigan, Texas, Louisville and USF, enters his third season as linebackers coach at Tennessee.Â
THE JEAN-MARY FILE
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Born:Â May 24, 1975
Hometown: Apopka, Florida
Education: Appalachian State, 1998 (bachelor’s in political science)
Wife: Jerilyn Ardis
Children: Brooke, Brittany
COACHING HISTORY
2000: Louisville, Graduate Assistant
2001-02: South Carolina, Graduate Assistant
2003: North Alabama, Secondary
2004-09: Georgia Tech, Linebackers
2010-13: Louisville, Assistant Head Coach/Linebackers
2014-16: Texas, Linebackers/Recruiting Coordinator
2017-19: USF, Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers
2020: Michigan, Linebackers
2021-present: Tennessee, Linebackers
CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS (4)
2012 Big East – Louisville (Assistant Head Coach/Linebackers)
2011 Big East – Louisville (Assistant Head Coach/Linebackers)
2009 ACC – Georgia Tech (Linebackers)
2003 Gulf South – North Alabama (Secondary)
BOWL GAME APPEARANCES AS A COACH (18)
2022 Orange Bowl - TennesseeÂ
2021 Music City Bowl – TennesseeÂ
2018 Gasparilla Bowl – USF
2017 Birmingham Bowl – USF
2014 Texas Bowl – Texas
2013 Sugar Bowl – Louisville
2013 Russell Athletic Bowl – Louisville
2011 Belk Bowl – Louisville
2010 Beef O’Brady’s Bowl – Louisville
2010 Orange Bowl - Georgia TechÂ
2008 Chick-fil-A Bowl – Georgia Tech
2007 Humanitarian Bowl – Georgia Tech
2007 Gator Bowl – Georgia Tech
2005 Emerald Bowl – Georgia Tech
2004 Champs Sports Bowl – Georgia Tech
2003 NCAA Division II Playoff Semfinals – North Alabama
2002 Outback Bowl – South Carolina
2000 Liberty Bowl – Louisville
Jean-Mary (pronounced ZHAHN-muh-REE) served on the defensive staffs of Charlie Strong, first at Louisville (2010-13) as assistant head coach/linebackers coach, then at Texas (2014-16) as linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator and finally at USF (2017-19). He has coached in 18 bowl games and been a part of four conference championships during his coaching tenure.
Jean-Mary’s first season on Rocky Top in 2021 saw the Volunteers establish an attacking defensive identity even despite a lack of depth and multiple injuries at linebacker. Tennessee finished the year tied for eighth in the nation and second in the SEC in tackles for loss with 108, nearly doubling its total from a year prior to his arrival.
Will linebacker Jeremy Banks, a product of Jean-Mary’s tutelage, led the way for the Vols. The redshirt junior ranked second in the SEC and tied for seventh in the nation in total tackles with 128. That tally was the most by a Vol in a season since A.J. Johnson logged 138 tackles in 2012. Banks also tied for the team lead in tackles for loss (11.5) and sacks (5.5).
Jean-Mary’s presence helped the Vols to a national resurgence in 2021 en route to winning seven games an appearance in the TransPerfect Music City Bowl. The following season, Jean-Mary’s unit flourished again as Tennessee won 11 games for the first time in two decades highlighted by victories over six ranked teams, including Pittsburgh, Florida, LSU, Alabama, Kentucky and Clemson in the Orange Bowl.
Jean-Mary mentored Aaron Beasley, who was the Vols’ leading tackler with 76 tackles and a team-high 13 tackles for loss. Beasley was dominant in the Orange Bowl win over the Tigers, racking up 12 tackles, four tackles for loss and two sacks. He was named to the Associated Press All-Bowl Team for his efforts. Banks chipped in 53 tackles and was invited to the NFL Combine following the season before signing a free agent deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Jean-Mary has played a critical role in helping the Vols sign back-to-back top-12 recruiting classes. He signed a trio of outstanding linebackers for the Class of 2023, including the state of Tennessee’s No. 2 overall prospect in Arion Carter. He also brought in highly touted transfer Keenan Pili of BYU. Jean-Mary’s linebacking group is poised for a promising future.
Jean-Mary helped produce a trio of top-15 signing classes at Texas, improving from 15th in 2014 to seventh in 2015 and eighth in 2016. He also had a top-30 class at Louisville in 2011 (27th) and the nation’s 15th-best class at Georgia Tech in 2007.
At Michigan in 2020, Jean-Mary coached senior linebacker Josh Ross, who finished the COVID-19 shortened season with a team-best 53 tackles. He also ranked eighth in the Big Ten in tackles per game (8.83). Fellow senior linebacker Adam Shibley was also a semifinalist for the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year award. Following the season, junior linebacker Cameron McGrone was selected in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots.
As defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at USF, Jean-Mary's units were consistently among the nation's best in turnovers created, tackles for loss and pass defense. In his first year, USF was top 25 nationally in six categories, including sacks per game (3.0, 11th) and interceptions (20, second). The Bulls led The American Conference in total defense (359.8) and scoring defense (21.5 points per game), improving from 120th in total defense and 92nd in scoring defense to 37th and 41st, respectively, after Jean-Mary's arrival. Defensive tackle Deadrin Senat was one of five all-conference defenders before being drafted in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft.
USF forced 69 turnovers across Jean-Mary's three seasons (24, 21, 24) and ranked top 30 in the FBS in that area twice. The Bulls also ranked top five in tackles for loss per game twice (8.4 and 8.3 per game in 2017, '19), while ranking No. 4 in red zone defense in 2019 (67.4 percent).
During his time as the linebackers coach at Texas, Jean-Mary developed four All-Big 12 players and an All-American in Jordan Hicks (2014). Texas was top 25 nationally in six categories in 2014, including sacks (11th). The Longhorns averaged more than 3.0 sacks per game in all three years Jean-Mary was at Texas, ranking top-five nationally in his last two seasons.
UT also led the nation in recovered fumbles (21) in 2014 and ranked 11th in 2015 (12). Hicks was selected in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft, and Jean-Mary's former players Lorenzo Mauldin and Deiontrez Mount (from his days at Louisville) were also chosen.
Before Texas, Jean-Mary worked as assistant head coach and linebackers coach at Louisville where the Cardinals won 37 games and two Big East Championships (2011, '12) across four seasons. UL compiled a 3-1 bowl game record culminating with a victory over No. 4 Florida in the 2013 Sugar Bowl. Louisville's .885 win percentage (23-3) over the 2012-13 seasons was the fourth-best mark in the country during that time.
Jean-Mary's tenure at Louisville began with back-to-back 7-6 seasons in 2010-11 and a share of the 2011 Big East Title. The defense was top 20 in five categories in both seasons, including top-10 marks in pass defense (167.4 yards per game, ninth) and sacks per game (3.0, sixth) in 2010 and rushing defense (100.5 yards per game, 10th) in 2011.
The Cardinals took a step forward in 2012, going 11-2 to finish 13th in the BCS Standings with top-25 marks in passing defense and total defense. In 2013, Jean-Mary's unit was among the nation's best, leading the country in five areas: total defense (251.5), rushing defense (80.7), sacks per game (3.31), first downs allowed (183) and third-down defense (26.7 percent). The defense was second in the FBS in scoring defense (12.2) and top 10 in four other categories. Five Cardinals were selected in the NFL Draft during his time there: defensive backs Calvin Pryor (2014, first round) and Johnny Patrick (2011, third round), defensive ends Marcus Smith (2014, first round) and Greg Scruggs (2012, seventh round), and linebacker Preston Brown (2014, third round).
Jean-Mary spent six seasons coaching linebackers at Georgia Tech from 2004-09, guiding the defense to top 30 seasons in rushing defense, scoring defense and total defense in five of his six years on staff. The Yellow Jackets led the nation in sacks and ranked second in tackles for loss in 2007 and finished top 20 in both categories the next season as well. In 2009, Georgia Tech went 11-3 with an ACC Championship and went on to appear in the 2010 FedEx Orange Bowl. Linebacker Gerris Wilkinson (2005) and Philip Wheeler (2008) were third-round NFL Draft picks under Jean-Mary.
Jean-Mary got started as a graduate assistant on the strength and conditioning staff at Louisville in 2000 before spending two seasons under Lou Holtz at South Carolina where he was a defensive graduate assistant coach (2001-02). He then got his first full-time coaching job at North Alabama (2003), a highly successful NCAA Division II program, where he helped the Lions go 13-2, win the Gulf South Conference Championship and clinch a berth in the semifinals of the 2003 NCAA Division II playoffs while allowing 14.1 points per game (sixth nationally).
A native of Apopka, Florida, Jean-Mary earned his bachelor's degree in political science from Appalachian State in 1998. He played linebacker for the Mountaineers from 1993-97.
He and his wife, Jerilyn Ardis, have two daughters, Brooke and Brittany.
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