The Tennessee Volunteers are facing another off-field situation with a player this summer. Chaz Coleman, the Penn State transfer, hasn’t arrived in Knoxville for voluntary workouts and recently deleted his Instagram account after receiving negative reactions to a post.
This marks the second straight year Tennessee has dealt with a similar issue during the offseason.
Coleman didn’t participate much during spring practice. The situation escalated when social media negativity forced him to remove his Instagram presence entirely.
“Tennessee EDGE Chaz Coleman has deleted his Instagram amid a post from earlier this month going viral online. The Penn State transfer has yet to arrive in Knoxville for voluntary workouts, and continues to be one of the most confusing storylines of the offseason,” Fox Sports Knoxville’s William Patteson posted.
Coleman’s situation resembles previous cases involving Nico Iamaleava and Boo Carter. The key difference is timing – there’s no transfer portal window currently open for Coleman to easily leave the program.
That leaves Coleman with limited options compared to players who faced similar situations when the portal was accessible.
“That has the Coleman situation feeling all-too-familiar as Coleman could become Nico 2.0. The biggest difference between now and then is there’s no spring transfer window this year so Coleman actually has no way out, no matter how much he apparently regrets not going to his home state Ohio State,” All For Tennessee’s Dekota Gregory wrote.
Program Dismissal Remains Possible
Coleman’s only path out would be through program dismissal. Vols insider Austin Price believes that scenario is becoming increasingly likely.
“It does not feel like he’ll be a part of this program come August,” Price said.
The situation creates challenges for defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, who was counting on Coleman as a leader on the defensive line. Coleman appeared to be dealing with personal challenges that extend beyond football.
Tennessee will need to adjust its defensive line rotation if Coleman doesn’t return to the program.
Coleman was considered an exciting addition when he transferred from Penn State. The edge rusher brought experience and athleticism that the Volunteers hoped would strengthen their pass rush.
The program now faces the possibility of moving forward without one of its key defensive additions from the transfer portal.
