What Tim Banks said about Tennessee defense in first media appearance since 2025 problems
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In August, Tennessee defensive coordinator Tim Banks was curious but confident that his retooled defensive lineup would play well in the 2025 season.
On Nov. 11, when Banks returned to the podium for his second media appearance of the season, his previous optimism seemed like ancient history.
“You don't know exactly (what you have) until you get going. But everything they’ve done leads me to believe that these guys and the moment won’t be too big for them,” Banks said on Aug. 26, the last time he spoke to media.
At that time, Banks had good reasons for optimism.
In 2024, he had coached UT’s best defense, statistically, since the 1998 national title team. He was a finalist for the Broyles Award, given annually to the top assistant coach in college football. And he had landed a big raise and contract extension that pays him $2.15 million annually and runs through the 2027 season.
But the tone was different on Nov. 11, when Banks explained what’s gone wrong this season for the Vols.
“We obviously haven’t gotten the results, week in and week out, that we desire,” Banks said. “… Would we like to be better in some games? 1,000%, no doubt. (That’s) no different than last year.”
Tennessee is allowing 31.1 points per game, its highest average of Banks’ five-year tenure, as the 20th-ranked Vols (6-3, 3-3 SEC) head into their homecoming game against New Mexico State (3-6) on Nov. 15 (4:15 p.m. ET, SEC Network).
UT is among the nation’s worst tackling teams. It has the SEC’s worst pass defense. And no defense in college football has allowed a higher percentage of touchdowns in the red zone this season that the Vols.
It’s been a precipitous fall from last season’s dominant defense, and Banks tried to make sense of it.
What Tim Banks said about poor tackling, miscommunication
To be clear, Banks hasn’t been in hiding. UT rotates assistant coaches for game week press conferences throughout the season, two coaches per week. And it was finally his turn again.
Offensive coordinator Joey Halzle, whose unit leads the SEC in scoring, has appeared at the podium twice this season. This was Banks’ second appearance overall but his first since previewing the Syracuse game in Week 1.
He had a lot to answer for.
On UT’s poor tackling, Banks said players have been coached the same this season as past seasons.
“We’ve emphasized it since I’ve gotten here (in 2021),” Banks said. “We haven’t gotten the fruits of our labor obviously in a lot of games, so you should continue to coach it. But, yeah, I’m extremely proud of the way those guys tackled (against Oklahoma).”
Banks also acknowledged miscommunication in the secondary, which players have referenced as an issue. Aside from serving as defensive coordinator, Banks coaches safeties.
“Communication (is a challenge). I think those guys have worked really hard at it, particularly talking about the safety spot and even your nickel,” Banks said. “Those guys being able to communicate at a high level is extremely important.”
This freshman gives Tim Banks optimism for the future
Banks didn’t offer injuries as an excuse for inconsistent play. All-America cornerback Jermod McCoy has not played this season after suffering a torn ACL in January. And starting cornerback Rickey Gibson has been out since suffering an upper-body injury in Week 1.
When asked about those injuries, Banks praised cornerback Ty Redmond, who has started as a freshman in their place.
“It hurts me for those guys. Rickey Gibson was primed to have a monster year for us. Obviously, we’ve talked about Jermod ad nauseam. You’d love to have had them,” Banks said. “But a setback for one is an opportunity for another, and we like the direction that Ty Redmond is headed.
“He’s a true freshman that has played a lot of ball around here, probably more ball than any corner as a freshman since I’ve been here. Tennessee is going to really be happy they got this kid in a couple of years.”
Here are the numbers that Tim Banks doesn't want to know
The timing for Banks to talk to reporters was slightly better than it would’ve been in recent weeks. His defense played one of its best games in a 33-27 loss to Oklahoma. It allowed only two touchdowns and 351 yards of total offense, the lowest for an SEC opponent against the Vols this season.
Nevertheless, the Vols have allowed more than 30 points in all six SEC games this season. It’s a stark contrast to last season, when Banks’ defense held opponents to under 20 points in 10 games en route to a College Football Playoff appearance.
And the numbers get worse from there. Here is where UT ranked in 2024 compared to 2025 among 136 FBS teams:
- Seventh in scoring defense (16.1 ppg) to 114th (31.1 ppg)
- Sixth in total defense (293.2 ypg) to 98th (395.9 ypg)
- 10th in rush defense (103.9 ypg) to 59th (141.6 ypg)
- 29th in pass defense (189.3 ypg) to 117th (254.3 ypg)
- Fifth in red-zone TD% allowed (46%) to 136th (84%)
“I couldn’t tell you exactly what we are (statistically) different than last year,” said Banks, who often says he ignores stats. “I think at the end of the day, we’re coaching (and) we’re trying to get these guys better.”
Granted, Banks’ defense has had bright spots. The Vols rank second in forced fumbles (15), second in defensive TDs (5), third in fumble recoveries (10), ninth in sacks (30) and 15th in tackles-for-loss (65).
“It’s been a tale of some highs and some lows. Some things we’ve done really well, and obviously some things you want to do better,” Banks said. “But we’ve got three games left. As I tell guys all the time, it’s not a sprint. It’s a marathon.”
Unfortunately, UT likely has already lost the race to the CFP. Banks’ defense was instrumental in guiding the Vols into the bracket last season, but it was an impediment this season.
Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Email adam.sparks@knoxnews.com. X, formerly known as Twitter@AdamSparks. Support strong local journalism by subscribing atknoxnews.com/subscribe.
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tim Banks addresses Tennessee football issues on defense
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