Tennessee's offensive line under assistant coach Greg Adkins is making national headlines.

The Vols allowed only four sacks in 2007 to lead all Football Bowl Subdivision teams. The next closest unit was Rutgers with 10 sacks, while Arkansas and Florida tied for SEC silver honors with 13 sacks apiece.

Tennessee's 534 team passing attempts computed to one sack allowed every 133.5 attempts, far and away the leader of all major college teams. Such productivity helped the Vols offense to the triple milestones of a 3,000-yard passer, 1,000-yard rusher and 1,000-yard receiver in the same season.

Adkins returns the top six members -- Ramon Foster, Jacques McClendon, Josh McNeil, Anthony Parker, Vladimir Richard and Chris Scott -- of the unit that finished the 2007 season, including All-America candidate Parker. The Jonesboro, Ga., product was named All-America second team last season by Associated Press and third team by Rivals.com.

In 2006, Adkins coached Arron Sears to the conclusion of a brilliant career. The offensive tackle earned 2006 All-America and All-SEC honors and was named the Vols' first winner since 1990 of the SEC Jacobs Blocking Trophy.

Adkins spent his first three years at UT as the assistant offensive line coach, with primary responsibilities for tight ends. He also coordinated the Vols' national recruiting reputation as Director of Recruiting. During his first three seasons in Knoxville, UT signed players from 21 states and the District of Columbia.

Adkins, 40, came to the Vols in 2003 from Troy, where he held similar duties. Adkins' work with the offensive line helped the Trojans make the transition from Division I-AA.

Before coaching at Troy, Adkins spent five years as an assistant at Georgia under Jim Donnan. He coached the Bulldogs' defensive line in 1996 and oversaw tight ends and the offensive line from 1997-2000. During his tenure in Athens, the Bulldogs posted a 40-19 record in five seasons and appeared in four bowl games.

Adkins coached a pair of NFL draftees on the Bulldogs defensive line -- Jason Ferguson and Jermaine Smith -- and All-SEC tight end Larry Brown.

A native of Cross Lanes, W.Va., Adkins arrived at Georgia with Donnan in 1996 after spending 10 seasons at Marshall as a player and coach. Adkins was a part of 97 Thundering Herd victories during his decade. He was a four-year letterman on the offensive line from 1986-89 and served as team captain during his senior season.

Adkins coached a variety of positions at Marshall, including offensive line, defensive tackles and tight ends. In 1990, he helped with the transition of future two-time All-America selection Phil Ratliff from defensive line to offensive line. He also was part of the Marshall coaching staff when the Herd led the Southern Conference in rushing defense in 1992 and scoring offense from 1993-95.

A coaching highlight for Adkins while at Marshall was the team's 1992 NCAA Division I-AA national championship victory over rival Youngstown State. He also had a hand in the three other second-place finishes for the school.

Adkins is married to the former Michelle Gillespie, also of Cross Lanes. They have two sons, Nicholas and Nathan, and a daughter, Natalie.

EDUCATION
Nitro High School, Nitro, W.Va.; Marshall University 1990

COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Offensive Lineman, Marshall 1986-89

COACHING CAREER
Marshall 1991-95, Georgia 1996-2000, Troy State 2001-02, Tennessee 2003-present

WIFE
Michelle Gillespie Adkins

CHILDREN
Nicholas (July 3, 1996), Nathan (July 9, 1999), Natalie (Sept. 2, 2003)

BOWL GAME COACHING HISTORY
1998 Outback, 1998 Peach, 2000 Outback, 2000 Oahu Classic, 2004 Peach, 2005 Cotton, 2007 Outback, 2008 Outback.