TJ Jefferson - Football Coach

TJ Jefferson

Title:
Special Teams Coordinator / Inside Linebackers
Email:
tjeffer7@utm.edu

TJ Jefferson enters his fourth season overall as a member of the coaching staff at UT Martin, his alma mater. He enters the 2025 season as the team's special teams coordinator and inside linebackers coach.

Serving as the team’s special teams coordinator and corners coach in 2024, Jefferson and the Skyhawks helped the program to their four consecutive conference championship. UT Martin ranked among the nation's leaders in passes intercepted (19, third), defensive touchdowns (four, fifth), rushing defense (93.2, sixth), third down conversion percentage defense (30.6 percent, ninth), turnovers gained (24, 14th), punt returns (13.14, 14th) and team passing efficiency defense (119.26, 22nd).

During the 2023 season, he served as the team's outside linebackers coach and special teams coordinator - primarily with the kickoff return and punt units. Under his direction, the Skyhawks boasted the nation's top punter in Aidan Laros who went on to earn concensus All-American honors and was named FCS Punter of the Year by the Augusta Sports Council. Defensively, the Skyhawks ranked sixth nationally in rushing defense 96.3 yard per game and team tackles for loss (7.5).

Before returning to his alma mater prior to the 2023 season, Jefferson spent the 2022 campaign at Memphis where he served as a defensive graduate assistant under defensive coordinator Matt Barnes.

Prior to working on the staff at Memphis, Jefferson spent two seasons as a defensive assistant, working with the outside linebacker along with holding special teams responsibilities.

Jefferson wrapped up his playing four-year playing career at UT Martin in 2019. Jefferson was voted a team captain while garnering All-OVC first team honors. Along with claiming a pair of Tennessee Sports Writers Association Defensive Player of the Week honors as a senior, Jefferson played and started in all 12 games for the Skyhawks at linebacker. He compiled a team-high 94 total tackles while recording 9.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks.

For his career, he played in 46 games while tabulating 149 total tackles and 12.0 tackles for loss along with two fumble recoveries, a forced fumble, a blocked kick and an interception.

Prior to his collegiate career, he prepped at Montgomery Bell Academy where he was a standout linebacker, helping the program to a Division II-AA state championship as a senior.

Jefferson graduated in the fall of 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in health and human performance from UT Martin.