What Alex Golesh said about hiring Tim Banks as Auburn co-defensive coordinator, safeties coach

Auburn on Friday announced the hiring of former Tennessee Football defensive coordinator Tim Banks as school’s new co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach under first-year Auburn coach Alex Golesh.

The hire was reported on Thursday, after Banks was fired by Tennessee coach Josh Heupel on Monday.

“Tim Banks is going to be a huge asset to our staff at Auburn,” Golesh said in a statement. “Tim and I have worked together twice before and competed against each other for years, so I know that he’s one of the most respected defensive minds in college football.”

Golesh was Tennessee’s offensive coordinator from 2021-22, working alongside Banks, who was the defensive coordinator for the Vols for the last five seasons. Banks was the defensive coordinator at Illinois from 2012-15, while Golesh coached tight ends, running backs, special teams and was recruiting coordinator for the Illini.

Golesh spent the last three seasons as South Florida’s head coach, going 23-15 before being hired by Auburn to replace Hugh Freeze. Golesh retained DJ Durkin, Auburn’s interim head coach after Freeze’s in-season firing, as his defensive coordinator.

“(Banks is) an elite teacher who develops players at the highest level,” Golesh said, “and beyond the football part, he’s a man of tremendous character who cares deeply about young people. Our program is going to benefit from having Tim working alongside the rest of our staff.”

Up Next: Tennessee vs. Illinois, Music City Bowl, December 30

Tennessee on Thursday announced the hiring of former Ohio State and Penn State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles as the new defensive coordinator for the Vols.

“Hiring Jim Knowles was our top priority from the start of this process,” Heupel said in a statement on Thursday afternoon. “Jim has a proven track record of developing elite defenses that play with an edge, and we got to see that first-hand during the 2024 College Football Playoff.”

Linebackers coach William Inge will serve as interim defensive coordinator when Tennessee (8-4) faces Illinois (8-4) in the Music City Bowl on December 30 (5:30 p.m. Eastern Time, ESPN) at Nissan Stadium in Nashville. 

“I am excited for this opportunity to work with Coach Heupel and represent Vol Nation,” Knowles said in a statement.

Knowles was Penn State’s defensive coordinator for one season, after three years at Ohio State, where he helped lead the Buckeyes to the 2024 national championship, which started with a 42-17 win over Tennessee in the first round of the 12-team College Football Playoff.

“His defenses are always physical, well prepared and can adapt quickly in-game against today’s complex offenses,” Heupel said. “He’s a competitor, a winner and someone who will get the most out of our players in practice and on game day. We are thrilled to welcome Jim to Rocky Top as he helps us chase championships.”

Firing Tim Banks was a ‘tough decision’ for Josh Heupel

Heupel called the firing of Banks as a “tough decision” but one that had to be made for the Vols and “the future of our program.”

“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.”