Vols defensive coordinator Tim Banks could be an ideal candidate for recently opened head coaching job
Tennessee Vols fourth-year defensive coordinator Tim Banks could be a hot name for several head coach openings next month. Banks has become a popular head coaching candidate thanks to the job he's done with Tennessee's defense over the last few years. In 2021, Banks' first season as the Vols' defensive coordinator, Tennessee had the No. […]
Tennessee Vols fourth-year defensive coordinator Tim Banks could be a hot name for several head coach openings next month.
Banks has become a popular head coaching candidate thanks to the job he's done with Tennessee's defense over the last few years.
In 2021, Banks' first season as the Vols' defensive coordinator, Tennessee had the No. 90 scoring defense in nation.
Last season, the Vols finished with the No. 23 scoring defense in the nation.
So far in 2024, Tennessee has the No. 4 scoring defense in college football.
That's quite a turnaround.
It's easy to see why numerous programs could have interest in Banks as their next head coach.
One job, however, that opened this week could be of particular interest to Banks.
Last week, Central Michigan head coach Jim McElwain announced his retirement.
Banks, who is from Detroit, played college football at Central Michigan from 1991 to 1994. He also served as the program's defensive coordinator from 2007 to 2009 (former Tennessee head coach Butch Jones was the head coach at Central Michigan from 2007 to 2009).
It remains to be seen if Banks will have any serious interest in the job, but it wouldn't be a surprise if he at least has a conversation with his alma mater.
Banks, however, could probably land an even better job if he can put an elite defense on the field for the Vols for another couple of seasons.
There's no reason to be too concerned about Tennessee losing their defensive coordinator just yet, but it's still a situation worth monitoring for Vols fans.
Another option for Central Michigan could be former Vols wide receivers coach Zach Azzanni, who is currently the Pittsburgh Steelers' wide receivers coach (Azzanni coached wide receivers at Tennessee from 2013 to 2016).
Azzanni played college football at Central Michigan from 1994 to 1998. He also served as the program's wide receivers coach from 2007 to 2009.
I don't know how interested Azzanni will be in the job since he's been in the NFL as a position coach since leaving Tennessee after the 2016 season.
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