Tennessee Vols secure continuing stability on defensive side of the ball with latest news

The leader of the Tennessee Vols' defense isn't going anywhere, it turns out.  Per ESPN college football insider Chris Low, Banks and Tennessee reached an agreement to keep him in Knoxville as the school's defensive coordinator. The move isn't one that's terribly surprising when reading the tea leaves.  Banks had been on the recruiting trail […]

Craig Smith — College Football & NFL Trending News Writer
Add as preferred source on Google
University of Tennessee football's defensive coordinator Tim Banks speaks to the press on media day at the campus in Knoxville, Tuesday, July 30, 2024.
University of Tennessee football’s defensive coordinator Tim Banks speaks to the press on media day at the campus in Knoxville, Tuesday, July 30, 2024. Hannah Mattix/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK

The leader of the Tennessee Vols' defense isn't going anywhere, it turns out. 

Per ESPN college football insider Chris Low, Banks and Tennessee reached an agreement to keep him in Knoxville as the school's defensive coordinator.

The move isn't one that's terribly surprising when reading the tea leaves.  Banks had been on the recruiting trail for Josh Heupel in recent days despite rumblings about interest in Banks by both Clemson and Miami.  Both of those schools ended up going in different directions in the last week for their defensive coordinator hires. 

However, the timing of Banks' new deal with the Vols is important with respect to one school: Michigan.  While the Wolverines don't have a vacancy as of this moment, they might in short order.  Current DC Wink Martindale is considered a candidate for NFL defensive coordinator positions, including the Indianapolis Colts.  

If the spot were to open up at Michigan, Banks would have been a very logical choice as a candidate for the job.  Banks is from Detroit and played and coached at Central Michigan.  While not there at the same time, current Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore also previously coached at Central Michigan. 

Instead, the Vols have their guy for the near future and can focus on building on a very successful 2024 season on the defensive side of the ball.  Tennessee's defense, which helped the Vols eke out close wins over Florida and Alabama in October, held 11 of 13 opponents to under 20 points a game and ranked seventh nationally in scoring defense (16.08 ppg) and sixth in yards per game (293.2).  

Related Articles