Former Tennessee running back Montario Hardesty will reportedly join the Vols' coaching staff in a quality control role, as initially reported by Gridiron Now's John Brice.
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Several folks tell me that former @Vol_Football star RB @MoHard20 is expected to join Jeremy Pruitt’s staff in QC role. Be hard to find a classier, more humble or harder working guy than Hardesty. An all-time good guy. #Vols
— John Brice (@JohnDBrice1) January 19, 2018
ESPN's Chris Low confirmed the report, noting that Hardesty will be working as an offensive analyst.
It’s always good to go back home, but @MoHard20 is especially pumped to be returning to Tennessee as an offensive analyst under Jeremy Pruitt. Hardesty was the essence of perseverance the way he battled through injuries and had a huge senior season at UT. He has a lot to offer.
— Chris Low (@ClowESPN) January 19, 2018
The former All-SEC back spent the past year working under former Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin at Florida Atlantic and had previously coached special teams at Norfolk State in 2015.
During his collegiate playing career, Hardesty had a breakout senior campaign under Kiffin, recording 1,647 yards and 14 touchdowns on 307 rushing attempts in 2009. He was selected by the Cleveland Browns during the second-round of the 2010 NFL Draft, but had his career limited to just four seasons due to injuries.
Hardesty will join defensive backs coach Terry Fair as the second former Tennessee player on first-year head coach Jeremy Pruitt's inaugural staff.
