‘He’s a high-energy, fun guy’ – Tennessee is reportedly on the verge of making a big-time defensive coordinator hire
The Tennessee Vols are reportedly on the verge of hiring Jim Knowles to replace Tim Banks as the program’s defensive coordinator.
The Tennessee Vols are reportedly on the verge of hiring Jim Knowles to replace Tim Banks as the program’s defensive coordinator.
Knowles served as Penn State’s defensive coordinator in 2025. He was also Ohio State’s defensive coordinator from 2022 to 2024. The Buckeyes finished the 2024 season with the No. 1 scoring defense in the nation.
Jim Knowles is known as being a high energy coach
Knowles spent eight seasons at Duke and one season at Ole Miss working under former Vols offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe.
Earlier this fall, Cutcliffe spoke with The Daily Collegian about Knowles.
“Jim really helped me understand what was giving defenses problems,” said Cutcliffe. “He’s a good listener, so I could tell him some things that really gives offenses problems. It was a good mesh from the beginning. He’s fun. Life’s way too short in any capacity not to make it fun. He’s a high-energy, fun guy.”
Inserting some energy into the program is something Tennessee certainly needs — especially as concerns about the Vols’ practice habits emerged late in the season.
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