It took much longer than expected, but Tennessee football seems to have finally hired its defensive coordinator. For the second time in five years, the Vols are hiring someone from Penn State Nittany lions to do this.
Yahoo Sports’ Pete Thamel reports that UT is adding the PSU’s co-defensive coordinator and security technician Tim Banks to lead the defense on Josh Heupel’s first team. Banks has been in his current role for five years.
James Franklin appointed Banks to his current role in 2016 after Tennessee football, ironically, hired then-Penn State defensive coordinator Bob Shoop for the same role under Butch Jones. Shoop replaced John Jancek at the time. Thamel announced the news on Twitter.
Sources: Tennessee is finalizing an agreement to hire Penn State defense co-coordinator Tim Banks as the school’s new DC. Banks has extensive experience in DC, including Illinois, Cincinnati and Central Michigan.
– Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) February 15, 2021
Adding a Penn State defensive coach to be the defensive coordinator is not the only way for this move to be a tribute to the Jones era. Banks moved up the coaching hierarchy by training with Jones at different schools, where he saw his greatest success.
From 2007 to 2009, Banks was Jones’ defensive coordinator with Central Michigan Chippewas. He helped Jones win two MAC championships during that time. Then, in 2010 and 2011, he was Jones’ defensive co-coordinator with the Cincinnati Bearcats, helping Jones win a portion of the Big East Championship in 2011.
The two have a connection that dates back to 1997, when Jones was the offensive coordinator for the Ferris State Bulldogs, their alma mater, while Banks was the defenders’ coach. Both come from Michigan, as Banks is from Detroit and played at the CMU from 1991 to 1994.
In addition to his experience with Jones, Banks was assistant to Gary Blackney with Bowling Green Falcons in 1999 and 2000, Tommy West with Memphis Tigers in 2001 and 2002 and Ralph Friedgen with Maryland Terrapins from 2003 to 2006.
From 2012 to 2015, Banks was the defensive co-coordinator of Illinois Fighting Illini under Tim Beckman and then Bill Cubit. He has experience as a defensive defender coach, so he brings a lot to the table.
However, banks have not always been linked to success. Memphis did not reach the bowl until a year after his departure. After winning the ACC in 2001 and going 11-3 in 2002, Maryland lost two games of bowling and only had a result in the top 25 in the four years that Banks was there. Bowling Green had immediate success with Urban Meyer after Blackney and his team, including Banks, were dismissed.
These things combined with being tied to Jones are all concerns. At the same time, Penn State reached new heights under Franklin after Banks arrived, winning the Big Ten in 2016 and finishing in the top 25 for four consecutive years. They hadn’t finished in the top 25 since Joe Paterno led the program before he got there.
Simply put, Banks’ track record is a mix. However, he has a successful track record and is a well-known recruiter in the Big Ten country. Those are positive aspects for Tennessee football and, given what they were up against, this is a good sign overall.