Hospitalized Tennessee football's linebackers coach William Inge urges his charges to battle like he is.
Is there a “Win one for the Gipper” scenario starting to unfold with the Tennessee football team?
William Inge, the 52-year-old linebackers coach with the Volunteers, was hospitalized recently with an undisclosed illness. It’s pretty serious, because people on the inner circle are asking for prayers for the family.
The family is asking for privacy in the matter. However, with the No. 14 Vols taking on No. 1 Texas in less than 24 hours, the absence of one of the most popular coaches on the staff won’t be taken lightly.
It’s the linebackers who are the heart and soul of the Tennessee defense. If something special is going to happen Saturday afternoon, guys like Arion Carter, Amare Campbell and Jeremiah Telander are going to be the ones behind the magic.
Going into battle without their leader is normally something that could work against a position group. However, given the talent and maturity of this unit, it could be a rallying point.
Early Friday, Inge sent a message to his charges, imploring them to fight Texas the way that he intends to fight the illness.
It’s a plea that won’t be falling on deaf ears. Those words will be tucked inside the mind and heart of every player that straps on a helmet Saturday. They will be carrying Inge with them on the Neyland Stadium turf when the clock strikes High Noon.
They say that emotion can carry a team only so far. There comes a point when talent and execution take over.
No problem. Tennessee coach Josh Heupel will take that initial burst of attitude and emotion like a jolt of caffeine from an energy drink. Ride it as long as they can, then roll the dice to see what can happen.
Inge is no stranger to the rigors of the college football world.
A native of Kirkwood, Mo., Inge was a three-year starter at defensive end for Hayden Fry at Iowa, graduating in 1996. During his freshman year, one kidney was surgically removed. He played his entire career with one kidney. His senior year, his father died suddenly of a heart attack at 48.
When the NFL was no longer an option because of his physical condition, Inge turned to coaching. He started as a graduate assistant and recruiting coordinator at Iowa. In 2001, he was hired as a full-time linebackers coach at Northern Iowa.
Other stops included San Diego State, Cincinnati, Buffalo, He spent one year with the Buffalo Bills in the NFL, then returned to Indiana University in 2013 for seven years. Fresno State was his next gig. He then followed Kalen DeBoer to Washington. He was co-defensive coordinator when the Huskies played for the national title.
Inge came to Tennessee in 2024.
