News Flash: Tennessee Volunteers Appoint Former Star Wide Receiver Bru McCoy as Special Wide Receivers Coach — A Bold Move That Reconnects the Past with the Present…
By: Rocky Top Insider Newsroom | June 23, 2025
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In a move that has electrified the entire Tennessee Volunteers football community, the university has officially announced the appointment of former standout wide receiver Bru McCoy as the Special Wide Receivers Coach—a groundbreaking hire that is being hailed as both strategic and deeply sentimental.
The announcement came early this morning through a joint statement issued by Head Coach Josh Heupel and Athletic Director Danny White, and it immediately sparked excitement from players, recruits, and Vol Nation around the world. The decision to bring Bru McCoy back into the program in a leadership capacity marks a powerful full-circle moment—not only for McCoy himself but for a Tennessee football team preparing for what could be a pivotal year in its resurgence as a national powerhouse.
> “Bru McCoy represents everything we want our players to become—resilient, tough, selfless, and fearless,” Coach Heupel stated. “Having him back in our locker room, not as a player but now as a mentor, is a huge win for our coaching staff and the wide receiver unit.”
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From Player to Coach: Bru McCoy’s Journey Comes Full Circle
Bru McCoy’s journey to this moment has been anything but conventional. Once a highly recruited five-star wide receiver out of Mater Dei High School in California, McCoy’s early collegiate career was a whirlwind. Originally committing to USC, then transferring briefly to Texas before returning to USC, McCoy eventually found his true home on Rocky Top.
It was in Tennessee that McCoy finally settled—and shined. Transferring in 2022, he immediately made a name for himself as a dependable possession receiver, a vocal leader, and a physical force in the Volunteers’ high-octane offense.
During his time at Tennessee, McCoy tallied over 1,100 receiving yards, 10 touchdowns, and countless moments that fans still cherish—none more famous than his game-changing catches during the 2022 and 2023 seasons that led Tennessee to marquee wins over SEC rivals like Florida and Alabama.
But it wasn’t just his stats that impressed—it was his attitude, work ethic, and warrior mentality, especially in the face of adversity. After suffering a devastating season-ending injury in 2023, McCoy remained engaged with the team, mentoring younger receivers and supporting coaches on the sideline. Many insiders began to quietly refer to him as “Coach Bru” even before his playing days were over.
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What Is a Special WR Coach?
While not a traditional on-field assistant role, the Special Wide Receivers Coach title gives McCoy a hybrid position that allows him to work directly with WRs on fundamentals, physicality, technique, off-field mindset, and film analysis. He will not be involved in official play-calling but will serve as a bridge between wide receivers and the coaching staff.
This move allows McCoy to focus on the mentorship and development side of coaching, something many insiders say he was already doing organically as a player.
> “Bru was coaching me long before he was actually a coach,” said redshirt sophomore wideout Kaleb Webb. “His toughness, the way he sees the game, the way he lifts you up—he’s got all the makings of a legendary coach.”
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Reactions from the Tennessee Locker Room and Beyond
The news of McCoy’s appointment was met with an immediate flood of love and excitement.
Joe Milton III, former Tennessee quarterback and McCoy’s close friend, posted on X:
“Coach Bru?! Yeah, Vol Nation winning again. Ain’t no better guy for the job.”
Squirrel White, now a senior and expected leader in the WR room, said:
“Bru being back just feels right. He knows what it takes to wear this jersey. He made us all better, and now he’s going to do that every day from the sidelines.”
Even Tennessee football legends such as Jauan Jennings and Peerless Price sent in messages of congratulations and pride, acknowledging McCoy’s resilience and passion for the game.
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Coach Heupel’s Vision for McCoy’s Role
During today’s press conference, Coach Heupel explained why the timing and fit of McCoy’s appointment were perfect.
> “This is more than just nostalgia or a headline,” Heupel said. “This is about building a culture where former players give back. Bru was already mentoring guys in the building. Making it official allows him to do it with even more authority and structure.”
Heupel also hinted that McCoy’s coaching journey may only just be beginning, suggesting that this special role could lead to more significant responsibilities down the road.
> “This is a stepping stone, no doubt. He’s going to grow, and our program is lucky to have a front-row seat for that.”
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A Recruiting Boost That Money Can’t Buy
McCoy’s appointment is also expected to have a massive ripple effect on recruiting, especially among wide receivers in the 2026 and 2027 classes.
Known for his West Coast roots and strong social media presence, McCoy gives Tennessee instant credibility among recruits looking for coaches who’ve played at the highest level and lived through the modern challenges of collegiate athletics.
Already, top four-star WR prospect Davion Harrell (from Georgia) has expressed renewed interest in Tennessee, tweeting just minutes after the announcement:
“Coach Bru back?! That’s . Might need to take another visit to Knoxville soon.”
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Bru Speaks: “I’m Home, and I’m Here to Build”
In his first official words as a member of the Tennessee coaching staff, McCoy delivered an emotional and focused message:
> “This university saved my football career and gave me a second chance when I needed it most. I bled for this program. Now I’m here to give back, to coach hard, to love these players the way I was loved. I’m home—and I’m here to build something real.”
McCoy also took time to thank his family, Coach Heupel, his former teammates, and the Tennessee fans:
> “Y’all never gave up on me. Even after the injury, you stuck by my side. Every cheer, every letter, every chant—it made me stronger. Now I’m back to return the favor.”
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Looking Ahead: What McCoy’s Presence Means for the 2025 Season
With McCoy now part of the coaching staff, Tennessee’s wide receiver corps has gained a unique advantage: someone who understands Heupel’s offensive system, the grind of SEC football, and the mental toughness it takes to compete at the highest level.
Expect players like Dont’e Thornton, Nathan Leacock, and Marquarius “Squirrel” White to benefit tremendously from McCoy’s insight and one-on-one coaching style. And with an offense that prides itself on fast tempo and deep-threat capability, McCoy’s input could help elevate the entire unit’s production and identity.
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Conclusion: A Symbol of Loyalty, Growth, and Volunteer Spirit
The appointment of Bru McCoy as Tennessee’s Special Wide Receivers Coach isn’t just a smart personnel move—it’s a symbol of what makes Tennessee Football so enduring and unique. It’s a story of redemption, resilience, and roots.
It’s the story of a player who gave everything on the field, endured the pain of setbacks, and chose to return—not for glory, but to lift others.
And in doing so, Bru McCoy has once again proven: Once a Vol, always a Vol.
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Welcome back, Coach Bru. Rocky Top stands taller with you on the sideline.
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