TJ Jefferson

Biography

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