Ryan Walters on Tennessee's defensive coordinator opening: 'Rumors are just rumors'

Washington’s Ryan Walters on Tuesday dismissed the talk linking him to the open defensive coordinator position on the Tennessee Football coaching staff, saying he understood where the rumors are coming from, but that they’re just that — rumors. 

“That’s a pretty easy, connect-the-dots deal,” Walters said, according to the Seattle Times. “Obviously, I’ve coached with a lot of those guys in the past. Respect them fully. But rumors are just rumors. I’ve had zero communication with anybody over there regarding any kind of job.”

Walters and Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel worked together at both Oklahoma and Missouri. 

Walters was a graduate assistant at Oklahoma in 2012, when Heupel was the co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the Sooners. Heupel was Missouri’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in 2016 and 2017, when Walters was Mizzou’s co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach.

Tennessee fired defensive coordinator Tim Banks on Monday

Heupel fired defensive coordinator Tim Banks on Monday, with Walters quickly becoming named as a candidate to watch for the opening.

“I enjoy Seattle,” Walters said on Tuesday. “My family lives here. I love it here. That’s where we’re at right now.”

Washington will end its season against Boise State in the LA Bowl on Saturday at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. 

Walters is in his first season as Washington’s defensive coordinator, after two seasons as Purdue’s head coach. He was the Illinois defensive coordinator in 2021 and 2022, after stops at Missouri, Memphis, North Texas, Oklahoma, Arizona and Colorado. 

The Los Angeles native played safety at Colorado from 2004-08. 

Head coach Jedd Fisch is in his second season at Washington, with the Huskies finishing the regular season at 8-4 after going 6-7 last season. 

“I think Coach Fisch has done a great job here,” Walters said, “just building culture and teaching football and pouring into the players. Washington is a place that’s poised for continued success.”

Josh Heupel on staff change: ‘These are tough decisions’

Heupel fired Banks after Tennessee’s defense finished 88th in total defense (395.5) this season and 92nd in scoring defense (28.8).

Tennessee finished sixth nationally in total defense last season, giving up 293.2 yards per game, and seventh in scoring defense, giving up just 16.1 points per game.

“I want to thank Tim for everything he has done for Tennessee the last five seasons,” Heupel said in a statement on Monday afternoon. “He helped restore our program to national prominence. More importantly, Tim is a great man of character and someone I have the utmost respect for. We wish Tim all the best moving forward.

“These are tough decisions,” Heupel added, “but one I ultimately felt was necessary for the future of our program. We are fully committed to identifying our next defensive coordinator who will uphold the standard that Tennessee has historically been known for.”