Photo by: Andrew Ferguson/Tennessee Athletics

Tim Banks

Title:
Defensive Coordinator

updated summer 2025

The owner of 18 years of FBS defensive coordinator experience, Tim Banks has been the architect of a Tennessee defense that has established itself among the nation’s best. Banks, a 2024 Broyles Award finalist, enters his fifth season as the Volunteers’ defensive coordinator on Josh Heupel’s staff in 2025.

THE BANKS FILE

PERSONAL INFORMATION

Born: Dec. 16, 1971
Hometown: Detroit, Michigan
Education: Central Michigan, 1995 (B.A. in industrial management)
Wife: Robin

COACHING HISTORY

1996: Bowling Green, Graduate Assistant
1997-98: Ferris State, Defensive Backs
1999: Bowling Green, Running Backs
2000: Bowling Green, Defensive Backs
2001: Memphis, Outside Linebackers
2002: Memphis, Defensive Backs
2003-05: Maryland, Inside Linebackers
2006: Maryland, Defensive Backs
2007-09: Central Michigan, Defensive Coordinator
2010-11: Cincinnati, Co-Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs
2012-15: Illinois, Defensive Coordinator/Secondary
2016-20: Penn State, Co-Defensive Coordinator/Safeties
2021-present: Tennessee, Defensive Coordinator

CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS (5)

2016 Big Ten – Penn State (co-defensive coordinator/safeties)
2011 Big East – Cincinnati (co-defensive coordinator/defensive backs)
2009 MAC – Central Michigan (defensive coordinator)
2007 MAC – Central Michigan (defensive coordinator)
1994 MAC – Central Michigan (player)

POSTSEASON APPEARANCES AS A COACH (15)

2024 CFP First Round - Tennessee
2024 Citrus Bowl - Tennessee
2022 Orange Bowl - Tennessee
2021 Music City Bowl - Tennessee
2019 Cotton Bowl – Penn State
2019 Citrus Bowl – Penn State
2017 Fiesta Bowl – Penn State
2017 Rose Bowl – Penn State
2014 Heart of Dallas Bowl – Illinois
2011 Liberty Bowl – Cincinnati
2010 GMAC Bowl – Cincinnati
2008 Motor City Bowl – Central Michigan
2007 Motor City Bowl – Central Michigan
2006 Champs Sports Bowl – Maryland
2004 Gator Bowl – Maryland

BOWL GAME APPEARANCES AS A PLAYER (1)

1994 Las Vegas Bowl – Central Michigan

NFL DRAFT PICKS COACHED

DE James Pearce Jr., Atlanta Falcons, 2025
DT Omarr Norman-Lott, Kansas City Chiefs, 2025
CB Kamal Hadden, Kansas City Chiefs, 2024
DE Byron Young, Los Angeles Rams, 2023
DB Alontae Taylor, New Orleans Saints, 2022
S Jaquan Brisker, Chicago Bears, 2022
LB Brandon Smith, Carolina Panthers, 2022
DT Matthew Butler, Las Vegas Raiders, 2022
DB Theo Jackson, Tennessee Titans, 2022
CB Tariq Castro Fields, San Francisco 49ers, 2022
LB Jesse Luketa, Arizona Cardinals, 2022
LB Micah Parsons, Dallas Cowboys, 2021
DE Odafe Oweh, Baltimore Ravens, 2021
DL Shaka Toney, Washington Football Team, 2021
DE Yetur Gross-Matos, Carolina Panthers, 2020
CB John Reid, Houston Texans, 2020
LB Cam Brown, New York Giants, 2020
DT Robert Windsor, Indianapolis Colts, 2020
DE Shareef Miller, Philadelphia Eagles, 2019
CB Amani Oruwariye, Detroit Lions, 2019
S Nick Scott, Los Angeles Rams, 2019
S Marcus Allen, Pittsburgh Steelers, 2018
CB Christian Campbell, Arizona Cardinals, 2018
DE Dawuane Smoot, Jacksonville Jaguars, 2017
DE Jihad Ward, Oakland Raiders, 2016
DB Clayton Fejedelem, Cincinnati Bengals, 2016
DT Akeem Spence, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 2013
DB Terry Hawthorne, Pittsburgh Steelers, 2013
DE Michael Buchanan, New England Patriots, 2013
DT Derek Wolfe, Denver Broncos, 2012
DT John Hughes, Cleveland Browns, 2012
CB Kevin Barnes, Washington, 2009
LB D’Qwell Jackson, Cleveland Browns, 2006

Banks’ previous defensive coordinator experience includes five seasons at Penn State (2016-20), four seasons at Illinois (2012-15), two years at Cincinnati (2010-11) and three seasons at Central Michigan (2007-09). He has been a part of five conference championships during his career as both a player and a coach made 16 postseason appearances, including the 2024 College Football Playoff.

In 2024, Banks became the first defensive coordinator in Tennessee history to be tabbed a finalist for the Broyles Award, presented annually to college football’s top assistant coach. He was just the third coach – among all positions – in UT history to be named a finalist.

Over the past four seasons under Banks (2021-24), Tennessee has racked up 397 tackles for loss, which leads the SEC during that span. The Vols have finished in the top 15 nationally and top two in the SEC in tackles for loss in all four seasons under Banks. Four out of the 12 highest tackle-for-loss seasons in Tennessee history have occurred under his watch. In addition, the Vols have registered double-digit interceptions in four straight campaigns.

2024

Banks’ 2024 unit served as the catalyst for a Tennessee team that won 10 regular season games, finished tied for second in the final SEC standings and punched its ticket to its first College Football Playoff berth. The Vols held 10 of their 13 opponents under 20 points and limited eight of their 10 Power Four foes under their season scoring average.

Tennessee’s 2024 defense finished in the FBS Top 25 in nine different categories: fourth-down conversion defense (third – 31.8), yards per play allowed (fifth – 4.56), third-down conversion defense (sixth – 30.3), total defense (sixth – 293.2), scoring defense (seventh – 16.1), tackles for loss (eighth – 7.7), red zone defense (11th – 73.0), first downs allowed (16th - 225) and passing efficiency defense (22nd - 116.3). The Vols finished either first or second in the SEC in third-down conversion defense (second), fourth-down conversion defense (second), rushing defense (second), tackles for loss (second) and total defense (second).

Banks’ defense concluded the year as one of the best in school history. The 16.1 points per game allowed by UT were the fewest since the 1998 national championship team issued 14.5. The 209 total points surrendered by the 2024 squad were the fewest allowed since the 1999 team gave up 194.

Whether it was stopping the run, forcing turnovers or limiting explosive plays, Tennessee’s defense answered the challenge. In 2024, led the SEC in allowing the fewest explosive plays: 30+ yards (12), 40+ yards (4), 50+ yards (1), 60+ yard plays (0), 70+ yard plays (0) and 80+ yard plays (0).

Multiple players were recognized for their stellar efforts. Cornerback Jermod McCoy, in his first UT season, was named a second-team All-American and first-team All-SEC selection. Edge rusher James Pearce Jr. was a first-team All-SEC recipient for the second straight year. Defensive back Boo Carter shined in his debut season and was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team.

Perhaps no development illustration under Banks was more prominent than Will Brooks, who became a leader in the secondary and was a semifinalist for the Burlsworth Trophy in his final season. The walk-on tied for the team lead in interceptions with four, including the game-clinching grab in the final seconds to secure Tennessee’s second win over Alabama in three years. It was one of two interceptions the Vols forced quarterback Jalen Milroe into on the Third Saturday in October.

In the spring of 2025, Banks’ defense produced multiple NFL Draft picks through the first two rounds. Pearce Jr. became UT’s 48th all-time first rounder, going No. 26 overall to the Atlanta Falcons. Defensive tackle Omarr Norman-Lott was selected No. 63 overall in the second round by the Kansas City Chiefs. Additional Vols signed free agent contracts, including Omari Thomas (New Orleans Saints) and Elijah Simmons (Arizona Cardinals).

2023

In 2023, Banks’ defense sparked Tennessee to a nine-win campaign and a No. 17 final ranking, culminating with a 35-0 shutout of Big Ten West champion Iowa in the 2024 Citrus Bowl on New Year’s Day. It marked the Vols’ first shutout victory in a bowl game since the 1957 Gator Bowl, and Tennessee was the only SEC program during the 2023 bowl season to blank an opponent.

Banks’ defense finished in the top 25 nationally in six different major categories: scoring defense (22nd– 20.3), yards per play allowed (19th – 4.97), defensive touchdowns (first – 5), rushing defense (19th – 113.7), tackles for loss (sixth – 101) and sacks (ninth – 41). The Vols led the SEC in tackles for loss and defensive touchdowns and ranked second in the league in yards per play allowed and sacks. Banks was nominated for the Broyles Award following the regular season.

Pearce Jr., who Banks’ staff recruited as part of the Class of 2022, led the SEC in tackles for loss (14.5) and ranked second in sacks (10). Meanwhile, cornerback Kamal Hadden became another path-to-the-draft success story after recording three interceptions, eight pass breakups and not allowing a touchdown all season. Despite a season-ending shoulder surgery in October, Hadden was selected in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft (pick No. 211) by the Kansas City Chiefs.

2022

The 2022 season saw Banks’ defense rank second in the SEC in turnovers forced (22) and rushing defense (115.8 ypg) en route to an 11-win campaign, an Orange Bowl appearance and victories over six ranked teams. UT also boasted a red zone defense that ranked 13th in the FBS and third in the SEC (75.0).

A total of 25 different Vols registered at least 0.5 tackles for loss in 2022, including 18 with two or more. First-team All-SEC edge rusher Byron Young tallied 11, while linebacker Aaron Beasley led the way with 13. UT was one of only two SEC programs with multiple players ranking in the SEC’s top eight in tackles for loss as Beasley was tied for sixth and Young was tied for eighth.

Banks’ defense set the tone in a 40-13 win at eventual SEC West champion LSU, representing the Vols’ largest win in the series since 1940. His unit registered five sacks, nine tackles for loss and 20 QB pressures, while limiting the Tigers to 0-of-3 on fourth down and only 55 yards rushing.

Another highlight came on Oct. 29 in a complete defensive performance and 44-6 rout of No. 19/17 Kentucky. The Vols held 2023 NFL Draft pick Will Levis to just 98 yards through the air—his second-lowest output as a starter with the Wildcats. UK came into the game averaging over 260 yards passing and finished 162 below its average. The six points were the fewest allowed by a Tennessee defense in an SEC game since beating Mississippi State, 34-3, on Oct. 18, 2008.

Banks’ defense capped a remarkable season by frustrating ACC champion No. 7 Clemson in the Orange Bowl in a 31-14 victory. The Vols logged two interceptions, four sacks, seven tackles for loss, seven pass breakups and held the Tigers to 4.79 yards per play—their second-lowest total all season. Clemson’s 14 points tied for its lowest mark all season and lowest in a bowl game in five years.

2021

Banks took over Tennessee’s defensive unit in the spring of 2021, inheriting a roster that had been decimated by the NCAA portal prior to his arrival. He was tabbed as a Broyles Award nominee and helped lead UT to seven victories—four better than a season prior to his arrival— and a berth in the Music City Bowl.

Banks’ squad led the nation in tackles for loss for most of the season, finishing second in the SEC and tied for eighth in the nation with 102. That figure ranked the highest at Tennessee since the sack became part of the NCAA tackle-for-loss equation in the early 2000s, and it nearly doubled the squad’s total of 55 a year prior to his arrival. The Vols also ranked seventh in the FBS in tackles for loss per game (7.8).

Banks’ style also saw the Vols increase their output in defensive takeaways. In 2020, Tennessee ranked on the lower tier of the SEC in forcing turnovers with 10. In 2021, the Vols notched 16 takeaways, which tied for fifth in the SEC.

Player development was evident under Banks in three seasons. Defensive back and STAR position standout Theo Jackson, in his final collegiate season, became a household name in the SEC and enjoyed the best season of his career. He ranked second in the SEC and top 15 in the nation with 12 pass breakups. Defensive tackle Matthew Butler and cornerback Alontae Taylor also maximized their development that led to postseason success.

Following the season, Butler, Taylor and Jackson all earned all-star game appearances, and Butler and Taylor were invited to the NFL Combine. Their dreams came to fruition when all three were selected in the 2022 NFL Draft. Taylor was taken in the second round by the New Orleans Saints (pick No. 49). Butler was tabbed by the Las Vegas Raiders in the fifth round (pick No. 175), and Jackson went to his hometown Tennessee Titans in the sixth round (pick No. 204). Today, Jackson is a prominent player for the Minnesota Vikings.

The Vols were one of just three SEC programs and nine nationally with at least three defensive selections through the first six rounds of the 2022 NFL Draft. Tennessee was also one of three SEC schools and eight nationally with multiple defensive backs taken in the entire draft. Banks’ defense added to that draft total when Young was taken by the Los Angeles Rams in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

Penn State

Banks came to Knoxville after a successful five-year run as the co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach at Penn State. During his tenure, the Nittany Lions ranked in the top 25 nationally in fewest yards per play allowed all five years and ranked in the top 25 in scoring defense three times and tackles for loss per game three times. He also proved to be an outstanding recruiter during his time.

Under Banks' watch from 2016-20, Penn State was among the best nationally in multiple defensive categories – fifth in sacks (221), sixth in fewest passing touchdowns allowed (70), ninth in yards per play allowed (4.8), ninth in forced fumbles (95), 10th in fewest rushing yards per attempt (4.4), 14th in scoring defense (21.2), 13th in rushing defense (132.7), 17th in total defense (344.6) and 25th in pass defense (211.9).

Banks mentored players on the path to the NFL Draft as Penn State produced 19 defensive selections, including three in the spring of 2021. Seven of Banks’ defensive backs received the draft call. Safety Nick Scott (seventh round) was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in 2019, Marcus Allen (fifth round) was chosen by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2018 and safety Troy Apke (fourth round) was tabbed by the Washington Football Team in 2018.

Banks coached safety Jaquan Brisker for two seasons, including a 2020 senior season in which he earned first-team All-America honors from Pro Football Focus and a 2019 campaign in which he was tabbed a third-team All-Big Ten selection. Brisker was chosen by the Chicago Bears in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft with the No. 48 overall pick.

The Nittany Lions owned a 46-16 record during Banks’ tenure and posted three 11-win campaigns with three New Year's Six games, including the 2017 Rose Bowl after claiming the Big Ten Championship. Penn State tallied a 33-13 mark in conference play during that time, and the Nittany Lions were second in the Big Ten in overall winning percentage (74.19).

Banks' 2019 Penn State defensive unit shined, leading the nation in forced fumbles (22), while ranking fifth in the FBS in rushing defense (95.0), eighth in scoring defense (16.0) and third in fewest touchdown passes allowed (10). The Nittany Lions' scoring defense was their best since 2009 as safeties Lamont Wade and Garrett Taylor garnered All-Big Ten honorable mention honors. Banks played a key role on a squad that posted an 11-2 record and beat No. 17 Memphis in the Cotton Bowl.

Banks' 2018 defense that finished eighth nationally in team passing efficiency (106.10) and 15th in passing yards allowed (181.5) produced All-Big Ten safeties Taylor and Scott. An opportunistic defense that thrived on takeaways, Penn State recorded 13 interceptions and held three opponents to 60 yards or less through the air, representing the first time that feat occurred in single-season school annals since 1976.

Banks' second season was highlighted by the Nittany Lions' second-straight New Year's Six bowl appearance as Penn State topped No. 12 Washington in the Fiesta Bowl. That fall, Banks' defense finished in the top 25 nationally in seven different categories: scoring defense (seventh -16.5), sacks (seventh - 3.23), rushing defense (14th - 118.0), total defense (17th - 329.5), team passing efficiency defense (21st - 114.88), turnovers gained (23rd - 25) and tackles for loss (25th- 7.2).

Banks' debut year at Penn State saw the Nittany Lions claim the Big Ten Championship with memorable wins over No. 2 Ohio State (24-21) and No. 6 Wisconsin (38-31) en route to Pasadena that fall. His defense had a strength in forcing negative plays as it ranked seventh nationally in tackle for loss per game (8.1) and 19th in sacks per contest (2.86). Under Banks' tutelage, Allen garnered 2016 All-Big Ten third-team honors as a junior after leading the team with 110 tackles, including six for loss and two fumble recoveries.

Other Coaching Stops

Prior to Penn State, Banks served as the defensive coordinator and secondary coach at Illinois for four seasons from 2012-15. In his final season with the Fighting Illini, Banks led a passing defensive unit that ranked among the best in the nation. Illinois allowed only 184.4 yards per game through the air, which ranked 15th in the FBS. The squad also ranked 21st in team passing efficiency defense at 112.24 yards per game.

Banks’ third season at Illinois saw the Illini earn a berth in the 2014 Heart of Dallas Bowl.

Three players from the 2012 Illini defense were selected in the 2013 NFL Draft, with defensive tackle Akeem Spence going to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fourth round, cornerback Terry Hawthorne being picked by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fifth round and defensive end Michael Buchanan being selected by the New England Patriots in the seventh round.

Prior to Illinois, Banks spent two seasons at Cincinnati as a co-defensive coordinator and the previous three as defensive coordinator at Central Michigan. Under his guidance, the Bearcats improved 33 spots in rushing defense from No. 39 in 2010 (135.4) to No. 6 in 2011 (95.3) and 21 spots in total defense, from No. 63 in 2010 (369.4) to No. 42 in 2011 (356.4).

Cincinnati led the nation in tackles for loss in 2011 (112) after ranking No. 38 the year before and also ranked No. 2 nationally in sacks in 2011 (46), up from No. 38 in 2010. UC improved 48 spots in scoring defense from No. 68 in 2010 (28.0) to No. 20 in 2011 (20.3) and jumped 110 spots in turnover margin from No. 119 in 2010 to No. 9 in 2011, largely as a result of forcing 33 turnovers in 2011 compared to 14 in 2010.

In 2011, the Bearcats posted a 10-3 record to capture the Big East, including a win over Vanderbilt in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl. At Cincy, Banks coached 2011 Big East Co-Defensive Player of the Year and current Baltimore Ravens defensive end Derek Wolfe as well as first-team All-Big East selections Drew Frey and JK Schaefer. Following the 2011 season, he was nominated for the Broyles Award for assistant coach of the year.

Banks helped lead his alma mater of Central Michigan to a pair of MAC championships as a coach, doing so in 2007 and 2009. His 2009 Central Michigan defense led the Mid-American Conference in scoring defense (18.9), ranked second in rushing defense (122.8), third in pass efficiency defense (117.4) and fourth in total defense (344.2) as the team went 12-2 overall and 8-0 in the MAC. The Chippewas led the MAC in rush defense in both 2007 and 2008, and the 2008 defensive unit led the conference in sacks with 35.

Four players earned first-team All-MAC honors during Banks’ tenure, including linebackers Red Keith and Ike Brown in 2007 and linebacker Nick Bellore and defensive end Frank Zombo in both 2008 and 2009. CMU generated five turnovers in a game three times during a two-season span, including a seven-turnover effort against Army in 2007. Cornerback Josh Gordy tied a school record with three interceptions in that game against the Cadets.

Following the 2007 season, Banks was invited to participate in the NCAA Expert Coaches Academy. Prior to CMU, Banks spent four seasons at Maryland (2003-06) before returning to his alma mater. He coached the Terrapins’ secondary in 2006 after spending his first three seasons with the inside linebackers.

Under his guidance, linebacker D’Qwell Jackson was a two-time All-Atlantic Coast Conference first-team selection (2004-05), the 2005 ACC Defensive Player of the Year and a 2005 Bednarik Award finalist.

Jackson (Cleveland Browns) was one of three players Banks coached at Maryland who played in the NFL. The others were linebacker David Holloway (Arizona Cardinals) and cornerback Josh Wilson (Seattle Seahawks).

Prior to Maryland, Banks spent two seasons as an assistant at Memphis (2001-02) and two years at Bowling Green (1999-00). At Memphis, the Tigers ranked ninth in the FBS in pass defense in 2002 – his only season working with the cornerbacks.

Banks was a four-year letterman at cornerback and two-time All-MAC second-team selection (1993-94) at Central Michigan. A co-captain for the Chippewas’ 1994 MAC championship team, he led the 1993 team in tackles with 105. He graduated from Central Michigan in 1995 with a bachelor’s degree in industrial management.

He and his wife, Robin, reside in Knoxville.