Tennessee Vols assistant coach named as candidate for open coordinator job; report says he could be open to 'listening'
The Miami Hurricanes are in search of a new defensive coordinator and Tennessee Vols defensive coordinator Tim Banks could be a potential option to head to Coral Gables. Miami is reportedly firing defensive coordinator Lance Guidry after two seasons. On Tuesday, On3 named Banks as a candidate to replace Guidry while reporting that the fourth-year […]
The Miami Hurricanes are in search of a new defensive coordinator and Tennessee Vols defensive coordinator Tim Banks could be a potential option to head to Coral Gables.
Miami is reportedly firing defensive coordinator Lance Guidry after two seasons.
On Tuesday, On3 named Banks as a candidate to replace Guidry while reporting that the fourth-year Tennessee defensive coordinator could be open to listening to a pitch from Miami and head coach Mario Cristobal.
From On3: One of the hottest defensive coordinator names in the nation, Tim Banks directed a Tennessee defense in 2024 that ranked in the top 10 nationally in total defense. The Volunteers allowed just 293.2 yards and 16.1 points per game. Tennessee struggled against Ohio State in the College Football Playoff, but Banks’ defense shut down the SEC for most of the season. Sources tell On3 that Banks could listen to Miami and Mario Cristobal. In the three previous seasons, the Vols led the SEC in tackles for loss per game with 7.62 and are third in turnovers gained per game with 1.44.
Banks' contract at UT expires after the 2024 season, so he has a decision to make on whether he wants to return to Tennessee or pursue another job. It's believed that Banks wants to be a head coach, but there aren't a lot of attractive options currently open (and interest has to go both ways). If Banks stays another year at Tennessee, and the Vols' defense continues to play at a high level, he should be an in-demand head coach candidate next winter.
Leaving for Miami, however, would be quite a gamble for Banks. It could take some time to get the Hurricanes' defense moving in the right direction, which could set back his timeline for becoming a head coach.
Tennessee's defense has steadily improved over the last four years under Banks' guidance. Tennessee finished with the No. 8 scoring defense in the nation in 2024 despite giving up 42 points to an ultra-talented Ohio State Buckeyes team in the first round of the College Football Playoff. Losing Banks would undoubtedly be a tough loss for the Vols — especially with no obvious replacement for him.
The best case scenario for Tennessee is that Banks sticks around for another year, leads a strong defense in Knoxville, and leaves for a head coaching job (he's not getting any younger) after the 2025 season. And then Oklahoma fires Brent Venables (he's gonna be on the hot seat) who is then hired by his old friend Josh Heupel to lead the defense on Rocky Top.
That's the dream scenario for Vols fans, but a lot would have to go right for that scenario to actually play out.
Tennessee Vols fans need to chill before they wreck the football program
This is not the way
