Sal Sunseri joins UT staff as defensive coordinator

University of Tennessee head football coach Derek Dooley announced Friday that the Vols have hired Sal Sunseri as defensive coordinator. Sunseri joins Tennessee after serving the last three years as the assistant head coach and linebackers coach at Alabama under head coach Nick Saban, including the national championship teams of 2009 and 2011. He also spent seven years (2002-08) with the Carolina Panthers under then-head coach and current Denver Broncos head coach John Fox, a tenure that included the franchise's lone NFC Championship and Super Bowl appearance.

LINK: UTSports.com-Sal Sunseri

Not only was Sunseri ‘Bama’s linebackers coach, he was (is) one of the best recruiters in the nation. In essence Alabama is losing two key responsibilities within the departure of a single individual.

On a positive note, it has been confirmed that Crimson Tide safety Vinnie Sunseri, Sal’s son, will remain at the University of Alabama.

Izzy Gould via Twitter: Source tells me Vinnie Sunseri "is a Crimson Tider," and will stay at Alabama.