Former Vol makes damning statement about former Tennessee defensive coordinator Tim Banks that shows why change was necessary
The Tennessee Vols moved on from defensive coordinator Tim Banks after the 2025 season.
Tennessee Vols head coach Josh Heupel made a huge move earlier this offseason by replacing defensive coordinator Tim Banks with Jim Knowles.
Banks had served as Tennessee’s defensive coordinator since 2021.
Heupel made the change after the Vols’ defense took a significant step back this past season, going from the No. 7 scoring defense in the nation in 2024 to No. 92 in 2025.
Some analysts, including ESPN’s Greg McElroy, have suggested that Banks’ defense didn’t have an identity. That’s a sentiment that former Vols linebacker Kevin Simon seems to agrees with.
Kevin Simon makes damning comment about former Vols defensive coordinator Tim Banks
Former Vols linebacker Kevin Simon has a son, 2027 four-star linebacker Kenneth Simon (No. 11 linebacker in the nation), that’s being recruited by Tennessee.
Simon said Thursday on WNML’s The Erik Ainge Show that his son would not have played for Banks at Tennessee.
“(The new defensive staff is) giving the defense an identity [and] a personality,” said Simon. “And I know things have gone well, but we haven’t necessarily had that defensively. It’s been led by Rodney Garner, when it’s been at its best, because he’s the best coach. I mean, I think he’s the best coach on the staff, period. He had those guys on the defensive line going.
“But I think the vision that they (the new defensive coaches) have, and I guess I can say it like this: my son was not going to play for Tim Banks. He just wasn’t. [There was] no identity, and he just wasn’t gonna play for him. I love that Jim Knowles is here. And Tennessee is definitely back in the mix now (for Kenneth Simon) with Jim Knowles’ presence. So I’m really excited about where the defense is going.”
The general feeling is that Tennessee had too many defensive looks under Banks to be elite (or even above average) at any one particular look. It’s not a surprise to hear that Simon sees it the same way.
As for Simon’s comments about his son not playing for Banks, well, that wasn’t a surprise either. Banks didn’t exactly have a stellar reputation on the recruiting trail.
It’s clear a change was necessary. And regardless of how things go with Knowles in 2026, Heupel should be applauded for making the necessary change.
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