How fiery Rodney Garner delivers 'brutal' message to motivate Tennessee defensive linemen

Two words made Tennessee freshman defensive end Joshua Josephs speechless in his first interview in preseason camp — Rodney Garner.

When asked about his first practice under the fiery defensive line coach, Joseph paused, grinned and stumbled over his words.

“It was … it was … it was something,” Josephs said. “It was definitely something. He pushes you past your limits, so you want a coach like that behind you.”

Better to say very little than say the wrong thing.

Josephs is going through the same baptism by fire that every newcomer on Garner’s defensive line must pass.

One of the SEC’s most experienced position coaches breaks down players with a bellowing voice and a colorful vocabulary unlike other Tennessee coaches.

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“So many times they take it personally,” Garner said. “I can be a little bit aggressive. I can probably be a little brutal and may not say it in the nicest way. But I tell (players), ‘Don’t take the tone. Receive the message.’”

When Garner joined Josh Heupel’s first-year staff last season, his approach jolted defensive linemen that he inherited from the Jeremy Pruitt era. Now what’s critical for the Vols is how many returning defensive linemen can improve their play in their second season under Garner.

How Garner got through to Tyler Baron

Garner’s style wins over many players, but it takes longer for some than others.

Junior defensive end Tyler Baron, a former Knox Catholic standout, spent one day in the transfer portal in January. After he decided to stay at Tennessee, his second chance learning from Garner has gone better than the first.

“(Garner’s) been preaching (maturity, discipline and attention to detail) to me since day one, and I think this summer and this spring were the first time I took his words and put them into action,” Baron said. “And I’m just going to continue to do that and trust in him.”

Garner’s critiques can be tough to take. One biting phrase from him during practice can make a 300-pounder crumble or grumble.

On Monday, that time came for freshman Tyre West, a promising freshman who signed with Tennessee over Georgia and Florida State after Garner recruited him.

“I’m coaching Tyre and telling him something out on the field, and he gives you that look (like) ‘whatever’ ” Garner said. “And I’m like, ‘I just want you to be the best version of you.’

“That’s just me wanting to win. That’s just me wanting me to be better.”

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It’s a lesson Baron learned after his first year playing for Garner.

“Take his coaching and not necessarily some of his words,” Baron said. “Coach Garner is tough, but it’s part of the business. I wouldn’t want to be coached any other way and I don’t think any other guy in the room would. He puts us in the best spot, and the proof is in the pudding.”

This is Garner’s 33rd consecutive season coaching in the SEC. He had two stints at his alma mater Auburn (1990-95; 2013-20) and a lengthy stay at Georgia (1998-2012).

This is his second stint at Tennessee, serving under Phillip Fulmer (1996-97) and now Heupel (2021-22). Garner has coached 33 NFL Draft picks, including seven first-rounders, and almost all still have a close relationship with him now.

Several players who played under Garner at Georgia and Auburn visited him at Tennessee last season, including newly inducted Pro Football Hall of Fame member Richard Seymour.

“Like 99% of my guys come back and love me,” Garner said. “Right now, (current players) don’t like me. It’s sort of like being a parent. Kids don’t like you when you’re raising them. But when they get old, they love you and they appreciate everything you did for them.”

How returning players now see Garner

Last season, Garner’s message got through to Matthew Butler, who transformed from a role player to a fifth-round draft pick. He is looking for similar improvement in multiple defensive linemen.

Players appear to be responding well in their second season under Garner.

“Even though you might feel like, ‘Man, he’s getting my butt,’ you know it’s to bring the best out of you,” defensive tackle Da’Jon Terry said.

“He’s direct and blunt about it,” defensive tackle Kurott Garland said. “But I think I’ve adjusted to his lessons.”

The Vols recorded a school-record 102 tackles-for-loss last season but struggled on third down because of an inconsistent pass rush. They return key contributors on the defensive line.

Byron Young — a preseason All-SEC selection whom Baron calls a “generational talent” — leads a trio of returning edge rushers.

Baron has moved from Young’s backup at weakside end to the starter at strongside end, where he’ll have to play a more physical style. And Roman Harrison is also back after playing almost 400 snaps last season.

Interior defensive linemen Terry, Garland, Omari Thomas and Elijah Simmons played more than 150 snaps each last season. LaTrell Bumpus is competing to start after struggling through injuries last season.

And young players could get into the mix if Garner reaches his goal of rotating 10 players on the defensive line.

“If we want to become great, we’ve got to get comfortable with being uncomfortable,” Garner said. “That’s what it takes.”

Reach Adam Sparks at adam.sparks@knoxnews.com and on Twitter @AdamSparks.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Rodney Garner delivers 'brutal' message to motivate defensive linemen