Tim Banks is Out As Tennessee Defensive Coordinator
Image: Knox News Sentinel
By Aidan Sidoti
Hallelujah.
After five seasons of running the defense, Tennessee has pulled the plug on Tim Banks.
The former Broyles Award finalist in 2024 failed to replicate that success in 2025 as his unit consistently lacked behind the Vols’ high-powered offense.
This season was the breaking point.
Tennessee ranked third-worst in the SEC in scoring defense, surrendering 28.8 points per game.
The Vols were second-to-last in passing defense, giving up 248.8 yards per game, and sat in the bottom half of the league against the run at 146.76 yards per contest.
For a program trying to contend in the SEC, those numbers simply weren’t sustainable.
Banks’ departure from Rocky Top opens the door for Tennessee to reset defensively and find a coordinator who can match Josh Heupel’s offensive tempo with a defense capable of winning championships.
Tennessee has the talent to compete at the highest level, now it needs a defense that can keep pace.
