The only defensive coordinator that Josh Heupel should consider if the Vols decide to replace Tim Banks
The debate about whether or not the Tennessee Vols should move on from defensive coordinator Tim Banks is a polarizing one. Tennessee finished the 2023 regular season with the No. 40 scoring defense in the nation (the Vols had the No. 36 scoring defense in the nation in 2022). That's not terrible. But it's also […]
The debate about whether or not the Tennessee Vols should move on from defensive coordinator Tim Banks is a polarizing one.
Tennessee finished the 2023 regular season with the No. 40 scoring defense in the nation (the Vols had the No. 36 scoring defense in the nation in 2022). That's not terrible. But it's also not a true measure of how Tennessee's defense performed in 2023.
The Vols were No. 79 in the nation in passing yards allowed per game (Alabama and Georgia, the SEC's two potential playoff teams, were both ranked inside the top 15). That's obviously not good enough in the SEC.
Tennessee's approach was to play a lot of zone defense while keeping everything "in front" of them. This often resulted in long drives for the opposing offense, which kept the Vols' defense on the field longer. Tennessee's inability to get off the field on third down was ultimately the Vols' biggest downfall under Banks in 2023 (UT was No. 59 in the nation in third down defense in 2023, while Georgia was No. 2 and Alabama was No. 25).
While the pass defense and the third down defense left a lot to be desired, there were also some really good things that Tennessee's defense accomplished in 2023.
The Vols had the No. 22 rushing defense in the nation. And they were No. 5 in the nation in tackles for loss and No. 9 in sacks.
As a whole, Tennessee's defense was essentially average. They did some things really well and they did some things not so well.
Unfortunately, the things that Tennessee didn't do so well were mostly in the secondary, which is supposed to be Banks' expertise.
And that's ultimately why there's some debate about whether or not Tennessee should look for an upgrade at defensive coordinator.
And I don't think there's an easy answer to that debate.
There's clearly room for improvement. In year three, the Vols' pass defense is as frustrating as ever. But anytime a coach makes a major change at one of the coordinator positions, it's a huge gamble. The Vols are hoping to compete for a national championship in 2024. Would installing a completely new defense be wise? We've seen coaches at Tennessee make that change before and it's backfired (Butch Jones moving on from John Jancek in 2016 in favor of Bob Shoop had disastrous results).
At the same time, Vols head coach Josh Heupel made it clear earlier this season that the standard at Tennessee is to play "elite" defense. And so far in three years under Banks, that hasn't been the case.
I tend to think Heupel will stick with Banks moving forward. There might be some staff changes, which is common, but I think Banks will remain the defensive coordinator. Heupel values continuity and I think there are several members of the defensive staff that Tennessee absolutely has to keep (defensive line coach Rodney Garner is the best in the business and Mike Ekeler has done a terrific job with special teams and outside linebackers).
However, if Heupel decides he wants to bring in a new defensive coordinator to help take Tennessee's defense from average to elite, there's only one name he should consider.
And that's if he's available.
Dave Aranda, the current head coach at Baylor.
Aranda is on the hot seat at Baylor after going 3-9 this season. In 2021, Aranda led Baylor to a 12-2 season, but things have trended south since that impressive year (the NIL and portal era are largely to blame for Baylor's recent struggles).
If Baylor fires Aranda, he'll be one of the most coveted defensive coordinators in the nation. Aranda was LSU's defensive coordinator from 2016 to 2019, so he understands life in the SEC. In his first year as LSU's defensive coordinator, he helped the Tigers' defense go from the No. 32 scoring defense in the nation to the No. 5 scoring defense in the nation. That's the kind of jump that Tennessee needs to make to compete for championships (Aranda also led Wisconsin to the No. 1 scoring defense in the nation in 2015 as the Badgers' defensive coordinator).
Aranda's reputation is as a cerebral defensive play-caller who places a big importance on culture. He's not going to take the Kirby Smart "yelling and screaming" approach. He's calm, measured, and thoughtful. He would seemingly fit in well in Heupel's positive culture. Fit is important to Heupel. And Aranda is an elite defensive coordinator who would fit the mold of what Heupel is looking for in an assistant.
If Heupel feels like he has to make a change, Aranda is probably the only name that would make sense. And that's only if Aranda would feel comfortable retaining assistants like Garner (that one should be non negotiable) and Ekeler.
Tennessee's defense has to improve in 2024 if the Vols are going to make a run in the College Football Playoff. As the head coach, Heupel has to find a way to make that happen. Maybe that means keeping Banks or maybe it means hiring someone like Aranda. Regardless of the decision that's made, the responsibility ultimately falls on Heupel to make sure that "elite defense" is played at Tennessee.
Update:
Baylor has reportedly decided to keep Aranda for another season.
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