BY LEE ZIMMERMAN
MOVERS & SHAKERS
Jeff Muir is a true professional. Of course, that’ s to be expected of any individual charged with coordinating media relations and maintaining the role of Communications Director for the Blount Partnership, the organization that promotes economic development and tourism in Blount County.
Nevertheless, it’ s his unwavering humility and devotion to his duties that distinguishes Muir from the stereotypical public relations person. His dedication to his job and his willingness to be a reliable resource for the media make him represent the Blount Partnership with absolute efficiency and clear commitment.
Muir joined the Blount Partnership as Communications Director in September 2011, after 22 years in public relations for various college athletic programs. A 1993 graduate of the University of Arkansas, Muir began his career at his alma mater doing media relations for baseball, football and men’ s tennis. After a short stint at the University of Kansas, where he publicized the football and track and field programs, he next spent
15 years at the University of Tennessee. As the associate sports information director, he served as the primary media relations contact for baseball while also working closely with the football franchise for nine years, before taking on internet communications in 2004. Muir then worked his way up to director of internet communications in 2009, before taking a similar position at Auburn University in 2010.
JEFF MUIR
6 | BLOUNT COUNTY QUARTERLY • WINTER 2025-26
Eventually, Muir was hired by the University of Tennessee as media relations director for the Vols’ 2000 Southeastern Conference regular season champion men’ s basketball team, as well as the 2001 baseball team, which went on to finish third in the College World Series.
His interest in sports didn’ t end there. On weekends, he currently serves as a statistician for ESPN.