ESPN names Tennessee Vols assistant as one of college football's potential 'next big time college coaches'
ESPN recently detailed 22 assistant coaches that are candidates to be college football's next "big-time college coaches" and Tennessee Vols defensive coordinator Tim Banks was included on their list. Banks, who took over as Tennessee's defensive coordinator ahead of the 2021 season, has helped the Vols' defense steadily improve over the last four seasons. In […]
ESPN recently detailed 22 assistant coaches that are candidates to be college football's next "big-time college coaches" and Tennessee Vols defensive coordinator Tim Banks was included on their list.
Banks, who took over as Tennessee's defensive coordinator ahead of the 2021 season, has helped the Vols' defense steadily improve over the last four seasons.
In 2024, the Volunteers finished the season with the No. 7 scoring defense in the nation, allowing just 16.1 points per game. Tennessee's strong defensive efforts last season were one of the top reasons the Vols reached the College Football Playoff for the first time in program history.
From ESPN: He's a familiar name for those who have followed the coaching industry, coming up through the MAC before earning coordinator titles at Cincinnati, Illinois and Penn State, which he helped to a Big Ten title in 2016. But Banks has truly blossomed with Tennessee. The Volunteers made their first CFP appearance last fall largely because of his defense, which ranked No. 7 nationally in points allowed. Another strong season could put the 53-year-old Detroit native in the mix for head coaching opportunities.
Banks will turn 54 in December, so it wouldn't be a surprise if he accepts a head coaching job after the 2025 season if the right opportunity presents itself.
The former Penn State defensive coordinator signed a new contract with Tennessee earlier this offseason, agreeing to a three-year deal that raised his pay from $1.5 million to $2.15 million annually.
Banks is a huge part of the Vols' success over the last four years. Losing him would be a blow to the program, but I don't think there's any doubt that he deserves a head coaching job after the way he's helped turned Tennessee's defense around over the last four seasons.
