Kelsey Pope

Biography

updated March 2026 The developer of a Biletnikoff Award winner and multiple NFL Draft picks, Kelsey Pope has established himself as one of the nation’s top wide receiver coaches. Pope was tabbed to the role by Josh Heupel in March 2022 after serving as an offensive analyst in 2021. He was promoted to pass game coordinator in December 2025 and enters his sixth season on staff at Tennessee in 2026. THE POPE FILE PERSONAL INFORMATION Birthdate: May 8, 1992 Hometown: Sylacauga, Alabama Education: Samford, 2014 (bachelor’s in public administration) Playing Experience: Samford - WR (2010-13) Wife: Dacia Children: Knight COACHING HISTORY 2017-18: Ohio Northern, Running Backs 2018-19: Shorter (Ga.) University, Assistant Wide Receivers Coach 2019: Tennessee Tech, Wide Receivers 2020: Gardner-Webb, Pass Game Coordinator/Wide Receivers 2021-22: Tennessee, Offensive Analyst 2022-present: Tennessee, Wide Receivers POSTSEASON APPEARANCES AS A COACH (5) 2025 Music City Bowl – Tennessee 2024 CFP First Round – Tennessee 2024 Citrus Bowl – Tennessee 2022 Orange Bowl - Tennessee 2021 Music City Bowl – Tennessee NFL WIDE RECEIVERS COACHED Dont'e Thornton Jr., Las Vegas Raiders, 2025 Ramel Keyton, Las Vegas Raiders, 2024 Jalin Hyatt, New York Giants, 2023 Cedric Tillman, Cleveland Browns, 2023 Velus Jones Jr., Chicago Bears, 2022 In Pope’s previous five years with the program, the Volunteers have generated an SEC-best 34 individual 100-yard receiving games and multiple first-team All-SEC recipien