Tennessee assistant Willie Martinez, strength coach Kurt Schmidt get contract extensions
They received extension to their contracts, which expired Jan. 31, but not raises.
Martinez's pay remains at $540,000 with an extension through the 2026 season. Schmidt, UT's director of competition development, signed a one-year extension through the 2025 season, and his pay remains $475,000.
UT already announced an extension for defensive coordinator Tim Banks. His pay increased from $1.5 million to $2.15 million through the 2027 season.
The staff's only loss was special teams coordinator/outside linebackers coach Mike Ekeler, who left for the same job at Nebraska. His duties were replaced by a trio of coaches.
Levorn Harbin was promoted from senior defensive analyst to outside linebackers coach. Analyst Evan Crabtree was elevated to special teams coordinator. Former Central Michigan coach John Bonamego was hired as assistant special teams coach.
Banks, Martinez and Schmidt were on Heupel's original UT staff in 2021, and they'll remain on it for a fifth consecutive season. Heupel's remaining coaches already have contracts through the 2025 season.
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Martinez's secondary had its best season of his tenure after revamping the lineup with transfers and young players.
The Vols ranked No. 29 in pass defense, allowing 189.3 yards per game. Cornerback Jermod McCoy, an Oregon State transfer, was All-SEC and AP All-America second team. And nickelback Boo Carter earned SEC All-Freshman honors.
Schmidt has been with Heupel for eight years at three different schools. He was at Missouri when Heupel was the offensive coordinator there in 2017. He followed him to UCF in 2018 and to UT in 2021.
Assistant coach (position)
Annual salary
Contract expires
Tim Banks (DC.)
$2.15 million
January 2028
Glen Elarbee (OL)
$900,000
January 2026
Rodney Garner (DL)
$900,000
January 2026
Joey Halzle (OC/QBs)
$850,000
January 2026
William Inge (LBs)
$720,000
January 2026
Kelsey Pope (WRs)
$550,000
January 2026
Willie Martinez (DBs)
$540,000
January 2027
De'Rail Sims (RBs)
$350,000
January 2026
Alec Abeln (TEs)
$250,000
February 2026
Levorn Harbin (OLBs)
TBA
TBA
Kurt Schmidt (strength)
$475,000
January 2026
Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Email adam.sparks@knoxnews.com. X, formerly known as Twitter@AdamSparks. Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe.
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee football's Willie Martinez, Kurt Schmidt get contract extensions
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