Tennessee’s football program has officially parted ways with defensive coordinator Tim Banks following a disappointing 2025 season. After a year in which Banks was recognized as a finalist for the prestigious Broyles Award for his role in leading Tennessee to the College Football Playoff, the Vols experienced significant regression this season. Multiple sources confirmed the decision, which comes after an 8-4 regular season marred by three losses at Neyland Stadium and a complete failure to win against ranked opponents.
Under the leadership of Josh Heupel, Banks was the sole defensive coordinator since being hired from Penn State in 2021. His tenure saw impressive defensive improvements, particularly during the 2024 season, when Tennessee ranked seventh nationally in scoring defense, allowing just 16.1 points per game—their lowest since the 1998 national championship team. The Vols also excelled in total defense, ranking sixth in the FBS with an average of 293.2 yards allowed per game, contributing to their historic playoff bid after a 10-win regular season.
This season, however, the defense faltered significantly. Tennessee fell to 92nd nationally in scoring defense, allowing an average of 28.8 points per game—its highest since Banks’s first year. In SEC play, the Vols allowed an alarming 33.6 points per game, ranking third worst in the conference.
The decline in performance can be attributed to the loss of key players, including two top-100 NFL Draft prospects and significant injuries that plagued critical positions such as cornerback, linebacker, and defensive tackle. The absence of standout players like Jermod McCoy, Rickey Gibson III, and Arion Carter severely impacted the team’s ability to compete defensively.
Banks’s success in prior seasons led to a lucrative contract extension last offseason, increasing his salary from $1.5 million to $2.15 million. This made him one of the highest-paid defensive coordinators in the SEC, but now Tennessee faces a significant buyout cost estimated at approximately $4.5 million due to the termination of his contract, which runs through January 2028.
Despite the challenges this season, Banks’s tenure was marked by notable accomplishments. Under his guidance, Tennessee’s defense improved from 12th in the SEC in scoring defense in 2021 to third in 2023, establishing itself as a formidable unit. The Vols generated 21 turnovers in 2024 and consistently ranked among the SEC leaders in tackles for loss and quarterback pressures.
The decision to move on from Banks marks only the second change in Heupel’s coaching staff since he took over, following the departure of offensive coordinator Alex Golesh after the successful 2022 season. The search for a new defensive coordinator will now begin as Tennessee aims to restore its defensive prowess and compete at a higher level in the SEC and beyond.
Moving forward, Tennessee hopes to rebound from this season’s setbacks, leveraging its strong recruiting and program resources to attract a capable replacement who can recapture the success that defined Banks’s early tenure. The next steps for the Vols will be critical as they prepare for an upcoming season that demands renewed focus and resilience.
