By Jimmy Hyams
Chris Rumph has coached at Florida, Texas, Alabama, Clemson, Memphis and South Carolina State.
The recruiting pitch at those schools might have some subtle differences for Tennessee’s first-year co-defensive coordinator.
Btu there is one common denominator: Trust.
“Before someone can believe in the shirt that you’re wearing,’’ Rumph said recently, “they have to believe the man. So throughout the years, speaking for myself and some of the other guys (on UT’s staff) we have a great reputation as a man first.
“It doesn’t really matter what shirt you put on. It just enhances the product and the mindset.’’
Rumph added: ‘’I’ve known high school coaches for years. If we’ve gotten a kid from them, we’ve taken care of them.’’
One player who speaks glowingly of Rumph is Florida star defensive end CeCe Jefferson, who said Tennessee got a great coach and a great man in Rumph.
Asked about Jefferson’s comments, Rumph said: “I try to be genuine. I try to be who I am, I’m Chris Rumph, country boy from Saint Mathis, S.C.
“God has tremendously blessed me and I appreciate that and I honor Him every day. So I just try to treat people the way I want to be treated.
“I’ve seen all different types of coaching styles. Seen styles that worked, seen styles that didn’t work. I’ve seen guys that yell and I’ve seen guys that don’t yell. Just learn from all that stuff and put it in a stewpot and pour it on me and it’s me.’’
Tennessee’s staff includes eight coaches who coached in high school. It also includes a Heisman Trophy winner, a first-round draft pick, a two-time All-American who won the Outland and Lombardi trophies and a two-time All-SEC offensive lineman,
To have coaches who played at a high level helps in recruiting and coaching.
“We’ve been there, guys,’’ Rumph said he can tell players. “This isn’t something you read in a book or heard about. We actually experience this ourselves.
“It’s a powerful staff. Sometimes I look around the room and say, `Whoa, that’s Tracy Rocker over there, that’s Charles Kelly, that’s (Kevin) Sherrer.’ It’s really impressive.
“The best thing about it is, we don’t have any egos. We go in the meeting room and this guy can bring up an idea and I can say, `No, I don’t really need that.’ It’s no egos. Everybody is on the same plan.
“It’s amazing some of the guys we have on our staff with the background and track record. Some of the things they’ve done and to be so humble. It’s a blessing because some guys could be in there saying, `I created all this.’ It’s a humbling group of dudes, great guys, great men.’’
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