LSU general manager Austin Thomas leaving for Tennessee

Austin Thomas is leaving Baton Rouge for Knoxville.

Thomas, LSU’s general manager for football operations and key in recruiting organization, is taking a similar job with Tennessee and new Volunteers coach Jeremy Pruitt, multiple sources confirmed to The Advocate. Tennessee’s 247Sports affiliate, GoVols247.com, reported the news earlier Wednesday.

Thomas, a 31-year-old Tennessee native, has spent the last four and a half years with the Tigers, moving up the ranks within the football operations building – from director of player personnel to assistant athletic director to general manager, a title new coach Ed Orgeron bestowed on him last fall.