Colin Coyne, a former walk-on forward for Tennessee Basketball, has been promoted to a graduate assistant role within the Vols program. Coyne, originally from Fredericksburg, Virginia, was on the Tennessee roster for the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons. He graduated in 2023 with a degree in business analytics and rejoined the program in August 2024 as a student assistant coach. He is now pursuing a master’s degree in business administration while serving in his new coaching role.
During his time on the team, Tennessee posted a strong 52-20 record, including a 30-8 campaign last season. Coyne experienced significant postseason success, being part of a Sweet 16 and an Elite Eight run as a player and helping the Vols reach another Elite Eight in his coaching capacity.
In addition to Coyne’s new role, Tennessee’s coaching staff underwent further changes heading into the 2025-26 season. The Vols added two new assistant coaches: Amorrow Morgan and Steve McClain.
Morgan, a Memphis native and 2012 graduate of Idaho State, most recently served as an assistant at Florida State after a two-year stint at Cal. He has also coached at Loyola-Chicago, South Alabama, Nicholls State, and several other institutions. Head coach Rick Barnes praised Morgan for his energy and basketball acumen, expressing confidence in the positive impact Morgan will bring to the team.
McClain, a veteran with 43 years of coaching experience, was hired on May 13. He most recently spent three years at Texas under coach Rodney Terry. McClain previously served as head coach at Wyoming, Illinois-Chicago, and Hutchinson Community College, compiling a 157-115 record at Wyoming. He has also been an assistant at programs including Indiana, Georgia, Colorado, and TCU. Barnes highlighted McClain’s vast experience and deep care for his players as key reasons for the hire, calling it an easy decision.
These moves signal Tennessee’s ongoing efforts to reinforce a strong basketball culture and support system around the program. With Coyne stepping into a developmental coaching role and two experienced assistants joining the staff, Rick Barnes and the Vols are positioning themselves for continued success in the competitive landscape of college basketball.
