In late December, Louisville football fans learned that they will be without two key defensive coaches. Jeff Brohm parted ways with co-defensive coordinator Mark Hagen, and Ron English is stepping away to watch his son's final season at Navy. Now, with the Transfer Portal open and Louisville trying to keep key players and recruit top transfers, they also need to hire a new defensive coordinator.
The Cardinals fans have their eyes on a few targets, but one of the biggest names just got taken off the board. Former Penn State co-defensive coordinator Anthony Poindexter will follow the Nittany Lions' defensive coordinator to Tennessee and will be the Volunteers' next safeties coach.
With a background similar to English, many Cardinals fans hoped the Cardinals would target Poindexter and promote him to Jeff Brohm’s next defensive coordinator; however, Louisville will have to keep searching.
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Brohm and Poindexter have worked together before, as the now Tennessee safeties coach was once Brohm's safeties and co-defensive coordinator at Purdue. The two coached together from 2017-2020 until Poindexter left Brohm to join Penn State's staff.
Many Louisville fans were hoping for a reunion at the Cardinals, but that was short-lived as Poindexter will follow Jim Knowles to Tennessee.
Safeties coach Anthony Poindexter will follow ex-Penn State DC Jim Knowles to Tennessee, according to On3's Austin Price.
— Basic Blues Nation (@BasicBlues) January 2, 2026
Poindexter has been a key member of the Nittany Lions staff since 2021, coaching standouts like KJ Winston, Jaylen Reed, Ji'Ayir Brown, and Jaquan Brisker.… pic.twitter.com/BBWKpHDwLY
With English and Hagen suddenly gone for 2026, the Cardinals fans have their eyes on who could fill this role. Louisville has already lost AJ Green, Antonio Watts, and Corey Gordon Jr. to the portal, and fans want to make sure that not having a defensive coordinator doesn't cause them to lose any more key pieces, such as star linebackers Stanquan Clark and TJ Capers.
A name Louisville fans hope Brohm considers is linebackers coach Mark Ivey. Ivey has been with Louisville since 2019, and over his six years, he has consistently brought heart, leadership, and unlimited energy. And if Brohm is leading the push to promote Ivey, then maybe that is why there has been no real rush to replace the 2025 DCs.
But for now, the Cards fans are focused on getting that next DC so they can keep Capers and Clark on defense and land some big-time transfers. The winter Transfer Portal is open until January 16, and is the only portal this offseason as they cut the spring window.
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For all the latest recruiting news and updates for Louisville football, stay tuned.