Chris Low of ESPN reports that Tim Banks, the defensive coordinator for the Tennessee Volunteers, will stay with the team this summer. As the two parties negotiated an extension, Banks was working on a contract that was about to expire. There never seemed to be any question that a deal would be reached, and Banks never left the recruiting road.
That extension is being completed today, according to Low.
According to sources who spoke to ESPN, Tim Banks and Tennessee are negotiating an extension that would allow him to continue serving as defensive coordinator for @Vol_Football. Last season, Banks, a contender for the Broyles Award, led one of the best defenses in college football, keeping 11 of 13 opponents under 20 points.
Banks has spent the previous four seasons building his unit from the ground up. This past season, Tennessee’s defense became one of the finest in the nation, ranking sixth in the FBS in terms of points per game.
The 2024 season brought in $1.5 million for the seasoned coordinator. His name was mentioned in passing in relation to the Miami and Clemson vacancies, but nothing ever came of it.
With the exception of a few names, Josh Heupel has mainly kept his core team intact. After Tennessee’s significant progress on that side of the ball this season, keeping Banks on board is crucial for the program’s longevity.
The focus now shifts to Mike Ekeler, the coordinator of outside linebackers and special teams, and defensive backs coach Willie Martinez, both of whom are now dealing with contract expirations.
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