After a rocky 8-4 season, Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel has decided to shake things up on his staff. This significant staff move may have been necessary given the recent trends of the Vols' defense. According to ESPN's Pete Thamel, Josh Heupel has fired defensive coordinator Tim Banks.
Tennessee has dismissed defensive coordinator Tim Banks, sources tell ESPN.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) December 8, 2025
Josh Heupel Fires DC Tim Banks
Banks has been on the Tennessee staff since 2021, where he has served as the defensive coordinator and safeties coach. The move isn't much of a surprise for Vols fans. In 2025, Tennessee ranked 92nd in FBS in points allowed per game at 28.8. Tennessee also ranked 96th in the nation in yards allowed per game, giving up 411.8.
In the season finale, Tennessee gave up 45 points to in-state rival Vanderbilt, leaving a sour taste in Tennessee football fans' mouths. People have been calling for this move to be made all season, but Vandy putting on this display was the last straw.
Banks did have a solid defense in 2024, which was a big part of the Vols making a run to the College Football Playoffs. He was also a valuable tool on the recruiting trail, helping the Vols close out plenty of recruitments.
Here's the truth, at the end of the day numbers don't lie and the Vols defensive deficiencies were just too much to justify keeping Banks around. What stood out the most was that in big games, the defense couldn't hold its own. The high-octane offense can only do so much. Winning games 49-45 is not a sustainable recipe to compete for championships. At leat not in the SEC
The biggest takeaway from this is that Josh Heupel expects better from his staff and his players. He wants to build a national title contender here in Knoxville and everyone needs to pull their weight.
The first step to building a team that can win a national title is winning in the trenches and having a defense that can make plays when needed. If the Vols can consistently generate stops, Heupel can work his magic on offense and make this team into a well-oiled machine.
Stay tuned to All for Tennessee as we keep you updated on the replacement for Banks.