Tennessee football, Robert Gillespie — last of Butch Jones' assistants — part ways
Mike WilsonThe lone coach Jeremy Pruitt opted to keep at Tennessee from the previous football staff is no longer at the university.
Running backs coach Robert Gillespie, who worked on Butch Jones' staff at Tennessee, and the program parted ways Tuesday, a source confirmed with USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee.
UT has made no official announcement.
The Tennessee coaching staff spent two days last week touring the state as part of a post-signing day celebration.
More:Tennessee Vols: Contract details released for first Jeremy Pruitt coaching staff
Gillespie stood on stage at the Tennessee Theatre in downtown Knoxville last Wednesday night and said how lucky he was to get an opportunity to coach the Vols for a second time.
"Some people get an opportunity to come to the University of Tennessee one time," Gillespie said. "I’m fortunate this is my second time I’ll be a coach at Tennessee.”
Less than a week later, Gillespie is no longer at Tennessee in a post-signing day departure.
Gillespie did not receive a new deal with the new staff and his contract was set to expire following the 2018 season on Feb. 28, 2019.
More:What new Tennessee Vols OC Tyson Helton said about running game, QB JT Shrout
Gillespie received $515,000 annually. According to his contract, Gillespie would owe UT $50,000 if it was his decision to leave. Otherwise, UT would be required to pay him the salary remaining on his contract.
Gillespie arrived at Tennessee in 2013, taking the role of running backs coach. In 2015, he added the role of recruiting coordinator. When Pruitt took over the program in December and put a staff together, Gillespie was the only member of Jones' staff that the new Vols coach kept.
Gillespie coached a pair of 1,000-yard rushers — Jalen Hurd and Rajion Neal — during his tenure at Tennessee. He also coached NFL rookie of the year Alvin Kamara, who took off last season with the Saints.
Gillespie, who starred at Florida, made coaching stops at West Virginia, Oklahoma State and South Carolina.