Football
TJ Jefferson
- Title:
- Co-Defensive Coordinator | Special Teams Coordinator | Inside Linebackers
- Email:
- tjeffer7@utm.edu
TJ Jefferson enters his fourth season on the UT Martin coaching staff in 2026 and his first season as co-defensive coordinator, continuing a remarkable progression that has taken him from standout Skyhawk linebacker to a key member of the program’s defensive leadership.
A former team captain and All-Ohio Valley Conference linebacker at UT Martin, Jefferson brings an intimate understanding of the Skyhawk program and a proven record of developing successful defensive and special teams units. He returned to his alma mater in 2023 after spending the 2022 season at Memphis as a defensive graduate assistant under defensive coordinator Matt Barnes. Prior to his time at Memphis, Jefferson spent two seasons as a defensive assistant, working with outside linebackers while also contributing to special teams.
Jefferson made an immediate impact upon returning to UT Martin in 2023, serving as outside linebackers coach and special teams coordinator. Under his direction, the Skyhawks featured the nation's top punter in Aidan Laros, who earned consensus All-America honors and was named FCS Punter of the Year by the Augusta Sports Council. The UT Martin defense also ranked sixth nationally in rushing defense at 96.3 yards per game and sixth in tackles for loss at 7.5 per contest.
In 2024, Jefferson served as special teams coordinator and cornerbacks coach as the Skyhawks captured their fourth consecutive conference championship. UT Martin's defense ranked among the nation's best in several categories, including third in passes intercepted (19), fifth in defensive touchdowns (four), sixth in rushing defense (93.2 yards per game), ninth in third-down conversion defense and 14th in turnovers gained.
Jefferson moved to special teams coordinator and inside linebackers coach for the 2025 season before earning his promotion to co-defensive coordinator prior to the 2026 campaign. The 2025 season saw Jefferson mentor three all-conference selection with place kicker Cade Hechter (place kicker), linebacker Tah Mac Bright Banda (second team) and linebacker Shamari Weir (honorable mention) earning postseason selections. His special teams units also led the country in blocked kicks (eight), blocked punts allowed (zero) and blocked kicks allowed (zero)while ranking 11th in blocked punts (two).
Before beginning his coaching career, Jefferson was a standout linebacker for the Skyhawks from 2016-19. As a senior in 2019, he started all 12 games, led the team with 94 tackles and added 9.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks on his way to first-team All-OVC honors. He also earned Tennessee Sports Writers Association Defensive Player of the Week honors twice. Jefferson finished his UT Martin playing career with 149 tackles, 12.0 tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries, a forced fumble, a blocked kick and an interception in 46 games.
A native of Nashville, Tennessee, Jefferson was a standout linebacker at Montgomery Bell Academy, helping lead the program to a Division II-AA state championship as a senior.
Jefferson graduated from UT Martin in the fall of 2019 with a bachelor's degree in health and human performance.
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A former team captain and All-Ohio Valley Conference linebacker at UT Martin, Jefferson brings an intimate understanding of the Skyhawk program and a proven record of developing successful defensive and special teams units. He returned to his alma mater in 2023 after spending the 2022 season at Memphis as a defensive graduate assistant under defensive coordinator Matt Barnes. Prior to his time at Memphis, Jefferson spent two seasons as a defensive assistant, working with outside linebackers while also contributing to special teams.
Jefferson made an immediate impact upon returning to UT Martin in 2023, serving as outside linebackers coach and special teams coordinator. Under his direction, the Skyhawks featured the nation's top punter in Aidan Laros, who earned consensus All-America honors and was named FCS Punter of the Year by the Augusta Sports Council. The UT Martin defense also ranked sixth nationally in rushing defense at 96.3 yards per game and sixth in tackles for loss at 7.5 per contest.
In 2024, Jefferson served as special teams coordinator and cornerbacks coach as the Skyhawks captured their fourth consecutive conference championship. UT Martin's defense ranked among the nation's best in several categories, including third in passes intercepted (19), fifth in defensive touchdowns (four), sixth in rushing defense (93.2 yards per game), ninth in third-down conversion defense and 14th in turnovers gained.
Jefferson moved to special teams coordinator and inside linebackers coach for the 2025 season before earning his promotion to co-defensive coordinator prior to the 2026 campaign. The 2025 season saw Jefferson mentor three all-conference selection with place kicker Cade Hechter (place kicker), linebacker Tah Mac Bright Banda (second team) and linebacker Shamari Weir (honorable mention) earning postseason selections. His special teams units also led the country in blocked kicks (eight), blocked punts allowed (zero) and blocked kicks allowed (zero)while ranking 11th in blocked punts (two).
Before beginning his coaching career, Jefferson was a standout linebacker for the Skyhawks from 2016-19. As a senior in 2019, he started all 12 games, led the team with 94 tackles and added 9.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks on his way to first-team All-OVC honors. He also earned Tennessee Sports Writers Association Defensive Player of the Week honors twice. Jefferson finished his UT Martin playing career with 149 tackles, 12.0 tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries, a forced fumble, a blocked kick and an interception in 46 games.
A native of Nashville, Tennessee, Jefferson was a standout linebacker at Montgomery Bell Academy, helping lead the program to a Division II-AA state championship as a senior.
Jefferson graduated from UT Martin in the fall of 2019 with a bachelor's degree in health and human performance.
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