Tennessee football coach hospitalized ahead of blockbuster Texas showdown

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The Tennessee Volunteers‘ coaching staff will be shorthanded on Saturday, Sept. 26, when the team takes on the Texas Longhorns in Knoxville. Linebackers coach Wiliam Inge was hospitalized with an undisclosed illness, per ESPN.

After the news broke, Inge, 52, sent a message to fans that was posted by the Tennessee football program’s X account. In it, the coach said, “I appreciate everyone’s thoughts and prayers. I am resting comfortably. I am fighting this illness just like our team fights on Saturdays on the field. I look forward to supporting our team and wish them well tomorrow. GBO.”

Inge’s wife then quoted the message, thanking fans for the prayers and asking for privacy for their family.

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Hope this will help squash the rumors so we can focus on Victory on recovery and Victory on field. Go Vols. We appreciate your prayers, we can feel the love. Please respect our privacy at this time for our kids and all of our Sons 🧡🧡🧡 #GBOhttps://t.co/R5lg9UnGNM

— Rae Ann Pierce-Inge (@IngeDEFENSE) September 25, 2026

Inge has been the linebackers coach on Josh Heupel’s staff at Tennessee since 2024. Before Tennessee, he was the co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach for the Washington Huskies team that made the CFP National Championship Game against Michigan.

He has also worked at a number of other schools and spent a year as an assistant defensive line coach with the Buffalo Bills under head coach Chan Gailey and defensive coordinator Dave Wannstedt. As a college football player, he played for Hayden Fry at Iowa.

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Tennessee is off to a 3-0 start for the third time in the last five seasons. The Volunteers’ defense has held two opponents under 10 points, but face a completely different opponent in the Longhorns.

No. 14 Tennessee hosts No. 1 Texas at noon ET Saturday on ABC.

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