The Seahawks hired Rob Caprice on February 22, 2024, after spending three seasons (2021-23) at the University of Tennessee aiding the defensive staff.
Caprice was part of the winningest three-year (2021-23) stretch at Tennessee in two decades, winning 27 games, including the 2022 Orange Bowl over ACC champion Clemson and 2024 Citrus Bowl over Big Ten West champion Iowa. Tennessee secured back-to-back top-20 poll finishes for the first time since 2003-04, ranking No. 6 in 2022 and No. 17 in 2023.
From 2021-23, Tennessee racked up 297.0 tackles for loss, which led the SEC during that span. Since the start of the 2022 season, Tennessee allowed just 3.24 yards per rush. That figure was the eighth-best mark in the nation and led the SEC.
The 2023 season saw the Vols defense finish in the top 25 nationally in six different major categories; scoring defense (22nd; 20.3), yards per play(19th; 4.97), defensive touchdowns (1st; 5), rushing defense (19th; 113.7), tackles for loss (6th; 101) and sacks (9th; 41).
