Tennessee Vols get one step closer to keeping defensive coordinator Tim Banks for the 2025 season
Tennessee Vols defensive coordinator Tim Banks' contract at UT expires at the end of January and he reportedly hasn't signed a new deal yet. In recent weeks, Banks' name has been connected to openings at Miami and Clemson. The Miami talk died down quickly after On3's Pete Nakos reported that Banks turned down the Hurricanes […]
Tennessee Vols defensive coordinator Tim Banks' contract at UT expires at the end of January and he reportedly hasn't signed a new deal yet.
In recent weeks, Banks' name has been connected to openings at Miami and Clemson.
The Miami talk died down quickly after On3's Pete Nakos reported that Banks turned down the Hurricanes job (it doesn't appear there was ever much to the Banks/Miami talk).
On Tuesday evening, The Post and Courier's Scott Hamilton reported that Banks is out as a candidate for the Clemson defensive coordinator job.
Leaving Tennessee to start over with a new program at Clemson never made much sense for Banks, who has goals of becoming a head coach in the near future.
Banks is currently out on the road recruiting for Tennessee.
Vols fans should get some clarity on Banks' status for the 2025 season in the coming weeks.
But at this point, it seems like the most likely outcome is that Banks is back at Tennessee next fall.
And that would be good news for the Vols. Tennessee's defense has steadily improved in each of Banks' four seasons on Rocky Top.
In 2023, the Vols finished with the No. 23 scoring defense in the nation while giving up just 20.3 points per game.
Tennessee finished with the No. 8 scoring defense in the nation in 2024, allowing just 16.1 points per game.
Cornerbacks coach Willie Martinez and special teams coordinator/outside linebackers coach Mike Ekeler also have contracts that expire at the end of January. Ekeler reportedly has some interest in the Nebraska special teams coordinator job which recently opened (Ekeler has roots in Nebraska as his parents reportedly live just 50 minutes from Lincoln).
As for Martinez, it's possible that the longtime college football assistant coach could choose to retire, though that's purely speculation. Martinez turns 62 in February.
So even if Banks returns in 2025, there could still be some new faces on Tennessee's defensive coaching staff next season.
