Jim Chaney

Title:
Offensive Coordinator

Long considered one of the nation’s top offensive minds, Jim Chaney enters his second season as the Vols’ offensive coordinator under Jeremy Pruitt after dramatically improving Tennessee’s offense in 2019.

Chaney, who is entering his 35th year coaching and is in his second stint overseeing UT’s offense, improved the Vols’ total offense, passing yards, rushing, scoring offense, third down conversions and turnover margin in 2019. His offense helped propel Tennessee to a season-ending six-game win streak.

Chaney deftly handled four different players starting under center at quarterback during the season and managed an offensive line that started eight different combinations as the Vols finished 8-5 and 5-3 in the SEC, while capping the season with a 23-22 victory over Indiana in the 2020 TaxSlayer Gator Bowl.

Along the way, quarterback Jarrett Guarantano became just the third Vol quarterback ever to pass for 415 yards against Missouri as three wide receivers each gained 100 yards for the first time in school history with Jauan Jennings, Marquez Callaway and Josh Palmer all reaching the mark in the win over the Tigers.

Chaney has coached two of the three 400-yard passers in Tennessee history. Guarantano joined Tyler Bray, whom Chaney coached from 2010-12, and Peyton Manning.

Chaney returned to Rocky Top, where he served as the Vols’ record-setting offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach from 2009-12, following impressive stints coordinating the offenses at Georgia (2016-18), Pitt (2015) and Arkansas (2013-14). He also has experience as an assistant coach with the St. Louis Rams (2006-08) and as the offensive coordinator at Purdue (1997-2005) and Cal State Fullerton (1988-92).

Led by New Orleans Saints record-setting quarterback Drew Brees, Chaney-coached players are featured prominently throughout the NFL and include Browns running back Nick Chubb, Patriots running back Sony Michel, Bengals wide receiver Tyler Boyd, Bears wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson and Broncos offensive lineman Ja’Wuan James, among several others.

Since returning to the college ranks in 2009, Chaney has coached 45 NFL Draft picks and 11 1,000-yard rushers. Overall, he has coached 66 NFL Draft picks and 13 All-Americans.

The last nine draft-eligible starting quarterbacks who were coached by Chaney have played in the NFL, including Jake Fromm (Georgia), Nathan Peterman (Pitt), Brandon Allen (Arkansas), Tyler Bray (UT), Matt Simms (UT), Jonathan Crompton (UT), Curtis Painter (Purdue), Kyle Orton (Purdue) and Brees (Purdue).

Chaney has found success at every stop in his collegiate coaching career.

THE CHANEY FILE

PERSONAL INFORMATION

Born: January 12, 1962
Hometown: Holden, Missouri
Education: Bachelor's Degree (Central Missouri State '85)
Playing Experience: Central Missouri State - DT (1980-83)
Wife: Lisa
Children: Elizabeth, Sara

Coaching History

1985-87: Cal State Fullerton, Assistant Coach
1988: Western Michigan, Offensive Line
1988-92: Cal State Fullerton, Offensive Coordinator/OL
1993: Wyoming, Tight Ends/GA
1994-96: Wyoming, Offensive Line / Recruiting Coordinator
1997-2001: Purdue, Offensive Coord. / Recruiting Coordinator
2002-05: Purdue, Offensive Coordinator
2006-07: St. Louis Rams, Offensive Line
2008: St. Louis Rams, Tight Ends
2009-12: Tennessee, Offensive Coordinator / Quarterbacks
2013-14: Arkansas, Offensive Coordinator / Quarterbacks
2015: Pittsburgh, Offensive Coordinator / Quarterbacks
2016-17: Georgia, Offensive Coordinator / Quarterbacks
2018: Georgia, Offensive Coordinator / Tight Ends
2019-present: Tennessee, Offensive Coordinator

Tennessee (2019-present)
Tennessee’s offense improved by 40 yards per game in 2019, from 325.5 total yards in 2018 to 365.5 yards this past fall under Chaney. The Vols also improved in rushing (144.2 yards per game), passing (221.4) and yards per play (5.8).

Tennessee converted 43 percent on third down in 2019 after a 38 percent mark in 2018.

All-SEC First Team left guard Trey Smith led an offense that also featured freshman All-American left tackle Wanya Morris and several playmakers who had the best seasons of their careers.

Senior wide receiver Jauan Jennings capped his career with 59 receptions for 969 yards and scored nine total touchdowns, ranking among the SEC leaders in each category. Senior wide receiver Marquez Callaway tied for the SEC lead and ranked fourth in the nation in yards per catch (21.2), while grabbing 30 passes for 635 yards and six touchdowns. Jennings was selected in the seventh round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers, while Callaway signed a free agent contract with the New Orleans Saints.

Additionally, running back Eric Gray set a true freshman record with 246 rushing yards against Vanderbilt before capturing Gator Bowl MVP honors with 120 all-purpose yards and one touchdown against Indiana.

Chaney continuously found different players to spark Tennessee’s offense and saw four different players register victories as the Vols’ starting quarterback with Jennings, Guarantano, true freshman Brian Maurer and redshirt freshman J.T. Shrout all earning wins under center.

Georgia (2016-18)
Chaney guided Georgia to some of the most prolific offenses in Bulldogs’ history, coaching quarterbacks in 2016 and 2017, and the tight ends in 2018, in addition to coordinating the offense.

Georgia led the SEC in rushing in 2017 (258.4) and 2018 (238.79) and had four different players eclipse 1,000 yards rushing over the two-year span. Georgia set school records in rushing yards (3,876) and rushing touchdowns (42) in 2017.

Georgia won the SEC and advanced to the College Football Playoff Championship in 2017 with a true freshman at quarterback in Fromm, who was selected in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills.

The Bulldogs went to a second consecutive SEC Championship game in 2018 and appeared in the Sugar Bowl, while ranking second in the SEC in scoring (37.9 ppg) and averaging 464.4 total yards per game.

Pitt (2015)/Arkansas (2013-14)
Chaney also helped Pitt go 8-5 and developed future NFL Draft pick Peterman at quarterback in 2015, and he guided an Arkansas offense, featuring a pair of 1,000-yard rushers, that averaged 31.9 points per game in 2014. Allen threw for 3,837 yards and 33 touchdowns under Chaney’s tutelage with the Razorbacks.

Chaney’s offenses led the SEC in fewest sacks allowed over three straight seasons from 2012 to 2014 at Tennessee and Arkansas.

Razorbacks’ Jonathan Williams and Alex Collins finished 4-5 in the SEC in rushing in 2014, both eclipsing 1,000 yards, while Allen passed for 20 touchdowns and just five interceptions.

Tennessee (2009-12)
Tennessee had 12 offensive players drafted from Chaney’s previous stint with the Vols from 2009-12. He served as interim head coach for the season finale in 2012, a 37-17 victory over Kentucky.

In 2012, the Vols averaged 475.9 yards per game – the second-most in school history and the second-best mark in the SEC that season, while scoring 36.9 points per game.

Bray passed for 3,612 yards and 34 touchdowns and broke Manning’s single-game school record with 530 passing yards against Troy.

Wide receivers Patterson (2012) and Da’Rick Rogers (2011) and tight end Mychal Rivera (2012) collected All-SEC First Team honors under Chaney.

Rogers had 67 catches for 1,040 yards and nine touchdowns in 2011 before Justin Hunter totaled 73 catches for 1,083 yards and nine scores in 2012. Rivera had one of the greatest seasons ever by a tight end in UT history, making 36 grabs for 562 yards and five touchdowns in 2012.

In 2009, running back Montario Hardesty rushed for the second-best total in Tennessee history with 1,345 yards to go along with 13 touchdowns.

St. Louis Rams (2006-08)
Before his first stint at Tennessee, Chaney was an assistant with the Rams in the NFL for three seasons, coaching offensive line and tight ends.

In 2006, Chaney’s offensive line paved the way for the NFL’s sixth-ranked total offense (5,767 yards) and fourth-ranked passing offense (3,962 yards).

Purdue (1997-2005)
During his nine seasons as the offensive coordinator at Purdue, Chaney’s offenses ranked in the top 10 in the nation in total offense six times and led the Big Ten in passing five times.

In 2000, Brees led the NCAA in total offense and received the Maxwell Award as the Boilermakers won the Big Ten and earned a berth in the Rose Bowl for the first time in 33 years.

Overall, Brees led the Big Ten in yards, completions and touchdowns three years in a row (1998-2000) and remains the Big Ten career leader in passing yards and completions. Brees led the nation in total yards in 1999 (4,086) and 2000 (4,189).

Prior to Brees, Billy Dicken led the Big Ten in passing yards (3,136) and passing touchdowns (21).

In 2004, Orton led the Big Ten in passing yards (3,090), completion percentage (60.6) and passing touchdowns (31).

Wyoming (1993-96)
Chaney coached several different positions from 1993 to 1996 at Wyoming.

In 1996, quarterback Josh Wallwork was the national leader in passing yards (4,090), total yards (4,090) and completions (286) as the Cowboys finished 10-2 and No. 22 in the final Associated Press poll.

Cal State Fullerton (1985-92)
Chaney broke into coaching at Cal State Fullerton in 1985 and served in many areas, including offensive coordinator.

In 1989, quarterback Dan Speltz led the NCAA in completion percentage (69.3) with Chaney as the offensive coordinator, improving by nearly 20 percentage points in one year. Speltz led the Big West with 20 touchdown and 2,671 passing yards.

Background
A native of Holden, Missouri, Chaney earned his bachelor’s degree in physical education from Central Missouri State University in 1985 after a career at nose guard. He earned all-conference honors as a senior.

Chaney and his wife, Lisa, who hails from Rock Springs, Wyoming, are the parents of daughters Elizabeth, a Tennessee graduate, and Sara.

CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS (4)
2017 SEC – Georgia
2000 Big Ten – Purdue
1988 MAC – Western Michigan
1993 WAC – Wyoming

BOWL GAMES COACHED IN (17)
2020 TaxSlayer Gator Bowl – Tennessee
2019 Sugar Bowl – Georgia
2018 CFP National Championship Game – Georgia
2018 CFP National Semifinal Rose Bowl – Georgia
2016 Liberty Bowl – Georgia
2015 Military Bowl – Pitt
2014 Texas Bowl – Arkansas
2010 Music City Bowl – Tennessee
2009 Chick-fil-A Bowl – Tennessee
2004 Sun Bowl – Purdue
2003 Capital One Bowl – Purdue
2002 Sun Bowl – Purdue
2001 Sun Bowl – Purdue
1998 Alamo Bowl – Purdue
1997 Alamo Bowl – Purdue
1993 Copper Bowl – Wyoming
1988 California Bowl – Western Michigan

ALL-AMERICANS COACHED (13)
OL Wanya Morris – Tennessee – ’20 Freshman All-American
QB Jake Fromm – Georgia – ’17 Freshman All-American
OL Andrew Thomas – Georgia – ’17 Freshman All-American
TE Isaac Nauta – Georgia -- ’16 Freshman All-American
OL Travis Swanson – Arkansas – ’13 USA Today
TE Hunter Henry – Arkansas – ’13 Freshman All-American
OL Aaron Douglas – Tennessee – ’09 Freshman All-American
OL James Stone – Tennessee – ’10 Freshman All-American
WR Taylor Stubblefield – Purdue – ’04 Consensus
QB Drew Brees – Purdue – ’00 Gannett News Service
OL Matt Light – Purdue – ’00 Gannett News Service
WR Brian Alford – Purdue – ’97 Football News
OL Steve Scifres – Wyoming – ‘96 FWAA

NATIONAL AWARD WINNERS COACHED (2)
QB Drew Brees – Purdue – 2000 Maxwell Award
TE Tim Stratton – Purdue – 2000 John Mackey Award

NFL DRAFT PICKS COACHED (66 draft picks, 8 first rounders)
WR Jauan Jennings (RD 7) – Tennessee ’20 – San Francisco 49ers
OL Andrew Thomas (RD 1) – Georgia ’20 – New York Giants
OL Isaiah Wilson (RD 1) – Georgia ’20 – Tennessee Titans
RB D’Andre Swift (RD 2) – Georgia ’20 – Detroit Lions
OL Solomon Kindley (RD 4) – Georgia ’20 – Miami Dolphins
QB Jake Fromm (RD 5) – Georgia ’20 – Buffalo Bills
TE Charlie Woerner (RD 6) – Georgia ’20 – San Francisco 49ers
WR Mecole Hardman (RD 2) – Georgia ’19 – Kansas City Chiefs
WR Riley Ridley (RD 4) – Georgia ’19 – Chicago Bears
RB Qadree Ollison (RD 5) – Pittsburgh ‘19 – Atlanta Falcons
TE Isaac Nauta (RD 7) – Georgia ’19 – Detroit Lions
WR Terry Godwin (RD 7) – Georgia ’19 – Carolina Panthers
OL Isaiah Wynn (RD 1) – Georgia ’18 – New England Patriots
RB Sony Michel (RD 1) – Georgia ’18 – New England Patriots
OL Frank Ragnow (RD 1) – Arkansas ’18 – Detroit Lions
RB Nick Chubb (RD 2) – Georgia ’18 – Cleveland Browns
WR Javon Wims (RD 7) – Georgia ’18 – Chicago Bears
OL Brian O’Neil (RD 2) – Pitt ’18 – Minnesota Vikings
WR Isaiah McKenzie (RD 5) – Georgia ’17 – Denver Broncos
RB James Conner (RD 3) – Pitt ’17 – Pittsburgh Steelers
OL Dorian Johnson (RD 4) – Pitt ’17 – Arizona Cardinals
QB Nathan Peterman (RD 5) – Pitt ’17 – Buffalo Bills
OL Adam Bisnowaty (RD 6) – Pitt ’17 – New York Giants
WR Tyler Boyd (RD 2) – Pitt ’16 – Cincinnati Bengals
TE Jeremy Sprinkle (RD 5) – Arkansas ’17 – Washington Redskins
TE Hunter Henry (RD 2) – Arkansas ’16 – San Diego Chargers
RB Jonathan Williams (RD 5) – Arkansas ’16 – Buffalo Bills
RB Alex Collins (RD 5) – Arkansas ’16 – Seattle Seahawks
OL Sebastian Tretola (RD 6) – Arkansas ’16 – Tennessee Titans
QB Brandon Allen (RD 6) – Arkansas ’16 – Jacksonville Jaguars
TE AJ Derby (RD 6) – Arkansas ’15 – New England Patriots
OL Travis Swanson (RD 3) – Arkansas ’14 – Detroit Lions
FB Kiero Small (RD 7) – Arkansas ’14 – Seattle Seahawks
OL Ja’Wuan James (RD 1) – Tennessee ’14 – Miami Dolphins
OL Zach Fulton (RD 6) – Tennessee ’14 – Kansas City Chiefs
WR Cordarelle Patterson (RD 1) – Tennessee ’13 – Minnesota Vikings
WR Justin Hunter (RD 2) – Tennessee ’13 – Tennessee Titans
OL Dallas Thomas (RD 3) – Tennessee ’13 – Miami Dolphins
TE Mychal Rivera (RD 6) – Tennessee ’13 – Oakland Raiders
TE Luke Stocker (RD 4) – Tennessee ’11 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
WR Denarius Moore (RD 5) – Tennessee ’11 – Oakland Raiders
RB Montario Hardesty (RD 2) – Tennessee ’10 – Cleveland Browns
OL Jacques McClendon (RD 4) – Tennessee ’10 – Indianapolis Colts
OL Chris Scott (RD 5) – Tennessee ’10 – Pittsburgh Steelers
QB Jonathan Crompton (RD 5) – Tennessee ’10 – San Diego Chargers
TE Dustin Keller (RD 1) – Purdue ’08 – New York Jets
OL Uche Nwaneri (RD 5) – Purdue ’07 – Jacksonville Jaguars
OL Mike Otto (RD 7) – Purdue ’07 – Tennessee Titans
TE Charles Davis (RD 5) – Purdue ’06 – Pittsburgh Steelers
QB Kelly Orton (RD 4) – Purdue ’05 – Chicago Bears
OL Nick Hardwick (RD 3) – Purdue ’04 – San Diego Chargers
OL Kelly Butler (RD 6) – Purdue ’04 – Detroit Lions
QB Drew Brees (RD 2) – Purdue ’01 – San Diego Chargers
OL Matt Light (RD 2) – Purdue ’01 – New England Patriots
WR Vinny Sutherland (RD 5) – Purdue ’01 – Atlanta Falcons
OL Chukky Okobi (RD 5) – Purdue ’01 – Pittsburgh Steelers
OL Brandon Gorin (RD 7) – Purdue ’01 – San Diego Chargers
WR Brian Alford (RD 3) – Purdue ’98 – New York Giants
OL Mark Fischer (RD 5) – Purdue ’98 – Washington Redskins
RB Edwin Watson (RD 7) – Purdue ’98 – Green Bay Packers
OL Steve Scifres (RD 3) – Wyoming ’97 – Dallas Cowboys
RB Reggie Yarborough (RD 10) – Cal State Fullerton ’92 – Phoenix Cardinals
OL Reggie Redding (RD 5) – Cal State Fullerton ’90 – Atlanta Falcons
RB Mike Pringle (RD 5) – Cal State Fullerton ’90 – Atlanta Falcons
OL Hank Goebel (RD 8) – Cal State Fullerton ’86 – Los Angeles Rams
OL Daren Gilbert (RD 2) – Cal State Fullerton ’85 – New Orleans Saints