Former Tennessee Titans, LSU football QB Zach Mettenberger rejoins Father Ryan's staff

Former Tennessee Titans and LSU football quarterback Zach Mettenberger, who spent the past two seasons as an Alabama analyst for Nick Saban, has rejoined Father Ryan’s staff as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.

Mettenberger was a Father Ryan assistant for the 2021 season when the Irish went 7-5 and lost to eventual state Division II-AAA state champion McCallie, 42-35, in the second round of the TSSAA football playoffs. He was Hillsboro’s offensive coordinator for one year before that.

Father Ryan coach Brian Rector and Mettenberger have kept in touch the past two years. Mettenberger needed a job after Saban's exit at Alabama and the Irish had an opening with offensive coordinator Michael Copley leaving to be the offensive coordinator at Walton (Georgia).

Mettenberger's two seasons working with Saban were especially intriguing.

"Somebody like (Mettenberger), they’re in high demand. When our opportunity came open, he was super excited to join back up and we’re super excited to have him," Rector said Thursday. "I don’t think I have to worry about him wanting to work; putting in the time and doing the little things right is a big part of a lot of programs in college football, especially one run by Nick Saban."

The Titans selected Mettenberger in the sixth round, 178th overall, in the 2014 NFL Draft. He made 10 starts in 14 games before being released in 2016. He threw for 1,412 yards, eight touchdowns and seven interceptions his rookie season. In 2015, he played in seven games and made four starts to replace Marcus Mariota.

Mettenberger graduated from LSU as its first quarterback to throw for more than 2,500 yards in back-to-back seasons (2012 and 2013), compiling 5,783 yards and 35 touchdowns with 15 interceptions.

More: Former Tennessee Titans QB Zach Mettenberger joins Hillsboro football staff

Mettenberger will help usher Father Ryan's offense into a new era. The Irish ran most of its offense through senior dual-threat QB and VMI signee JoJo Crump, while finishing 4-7 and 0-4 in the Division II-AAA West Region. Juniors Joseph Derrick and Finn Saivar will compete at quarterback and possibly share time this fall.

"There are some things we feel we’ll be able to do this year that we weren't last year, but there were things we won't be able to do that we could predominantly with a dual-threat QB (like Crump)," Rector said.

Reach sports writer Tyler Palmateer at tpalmateer@tennessean.com and on the X platform, formerly Twitter, @tpalmateer83.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Former Tennessee Titans, LSU QB Zach Mettenberger back with Father Ryan football