Tennessee and defensive coordinator Tim Banks parting ways

Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel is in the market for a new defensive coordinator as Tim Banks will not return after five seasons as the Vols defensive leader. 

Heupel and Banks have had meetings over the last couple of days and the decision has been made to go separate ways.

Banks arrived at Tennessee from Penn State where he was co-defensive coordinator but didn’t call the defense. 

At Tennessee for the first four seasons, Banks was the defensive coordinator and safeties coach. In 2025, Banks didn’t coach a specific position. 

Over his first four seasons, Banks built his defense to an elite level in the 2024 season. His 2024 season was his best as the defense finished in the top-25 in nine different categories as the defense carried Tennessee into the college football playoff. 

In 2025, Tennessee’s defense took a step back. The Vols finished 14th scoring defense giving up 28.75 points a game. The Vols have given up 1760 yards rushing which is the highest total since 2021, Banks’ first season on Rocky Top. 

As a team, the Vols gave up 28.75 points a game this season. Against power 4 teams, Tennessee’s defense gave up 32.4 points a game in the regular season. 

Banks’ 2025 defense dealt with injuries. In the secondary, Tennessee played the entire season without All-American cornerback and projected first round draft pick Jermod McCoy. Nineteen snaps into the season, Banks’ defense lost starting its other cornerback in Ricky Gibson.  

Tennessee also played the first month of the season without defensive tackles Daevin Hobbs and Jaxson Moi. 

Banks signed a new three year deal last January paying him 2.15 annually. Tennessee owes Banks 4.3 million for firing him without cause.