Tennessee has recruited Penn State co-defensive coordinator Tim Banks as its new defensive coordinator, the school declared Monday.
Banks, 49, had spent the previous five seasons at Penn State, where he additionally coached the Nittany Lions’ safeties. Prior to that, he was the co-defensive coordinator at Illinois, the co-defensive coordinator at Cincinnati and the defensive coordinator at Central Michigan, which is his institute of matriculation.
This denotes Banks’ first coaching stint in the SEC, in spite of the fact that he was a partner at Memphis in 2001 and 2002. While at Cincinnati, Banks was selected for the Frank Broyles Award in 2011 as the top assistant coach in college football.
The hiring of Banks finishes a long and twisting inquiry by new Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel to locate his defensive coordinator. This previous weekend, Tennessee was in broad talks with Kansas City Chiefs linebackers coach Matt House, sources told ESPN, however House chose to remain in the NFL. Heupel additionally made a hard push for Ohio State linebackers coach Al Washington and afterward Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive line coach Kacy Rodgers and, prior simultaneously, contacted USC defensive coordinator Todd Orlando and Louisville defensive coordinator Bryan Brown, among others.
“Tim brings great energy, passion and experience to the Tennessee football family,” Heupel said in a statement. “His defenses are known for their aggressive style, as well as their multiple coverages and fronts. He’s coached in big games and has a proven track record of success on the field and in recruiting. I know our student-athletes are going to enjoy playing for him. We are fortunate to have someone with Tim’s experience and caliber leading our defense.”
The Vols actually need to round out the majority of their defensive staff, however veteran defensive line coach Rodney Garner was recruited a week ago. Garner has gone through the previous 30 years coaching in the SEC. This is his second stretch at Tennessee.
Heupel additionally declared his offensive coaching staff on Monday, including three offensive assistants who are following him from the UCF staff.
Tennessee’s offensive coordinator will be Alex Golesh, who was UCF’s co-offensive coordinator and tight ends coach in 2020. He recently spent four seasons as Iowa State’s tight ends coach/recruiting coordinator.
Joey Halzle was employed as quarterbacks coach, and Glen Elarbee as offensive line coach. Both stood firm on similar positions at UCF and furthermore used to work with Heupel at Missouri.
Heupel’s staff additionally incorporates Kodi Burns as wide receivers mentor and Jerry Mack as running backs mentor. Burns coached receivers at Auburn from 2016 to ’20 and furthermore was passing game coordinator from 2019 to ’20. Mack was Rice’s offensive coordinator from 2018 to ’20.
