Why Jim Knowles is closely watching Tennessee football bowl practice
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New Tennessee defensive coordinator Jim Knowles is getting his first look at the players he inherits during Music City Bowl practice.
Knowles, who was hired to replace fired defensive coordinator Tim Banks, attended Tennessee football practice and observed players on Dec. 16. He did not coach during practice, but he kept a keen eye on the Vols who can return in the 2026 season to play for him.
“I told everybody that it’s a clean slate. It’s like we’re all freaking freshmen again,” junior linebacker Jeremiah Telander said. “Even today, (Knowles) is in the back watching everybody. But just do what you’re supposed to do every day and be yourself.”
Knowles arrived in Knoxville over the weekend and introduced himself to the team. He will not coach in the game when No. 23 Tennessee (8-4) plays Illinois (8-4) in the Music City Bowl on Dec. 30 (5:30 p.m. ET, ESPN) in Nashville.
Instead, linebackers coach William Inge will serve as interim defensive coordinator. Telander, the only defensive player available to media on Dec. 16, indicated that the Vols are running some of Banks’ scheme along with tweaks implemented by the remaining staff.
“Right now, we’re listening to what Coach Inge says and building on a new playbook while also using some things we did in the past,” Telander said. “Right now, I’m fully focused on that. When Coach Knowles wants to implement his defense, that will be my focus.”
What Jim Knowles is watching at Tennessee bowl practices
Knowles is using bowl practices to get an idea of the players he’ll be working with in spring practice and the 2026 season. The transfer portal opens on Jan. 2, and UT has several needs on defense.
The Vols should be in the transfer market for interior defensive linemen, defensive backs and maybe a linebacker. That depends on Knowles’ assessment of the returning players and whether key players for UT enter the portal.
Defensive linemen Bryson Eason, Dominic Bailey, Jaxson Moi and Tyre West have exhausted their eligibility. Edge rusher Joshua Josephs is also out of eligibility, and he’s projected to be an early round draft pick.
Junior linebacker Arion Carter has already declared for the 2026 NFL Draft. Sophomore cornerback Colton Hood might follow him because he’s projected as high as a first-round pick, but he hasn’t announced his plans.
Safety Andre Turrentine and nickelback Jalen McMurray have also exhausted their eligibility.
But even without those departures, Tennessee needed an overhaul on defense. The Vols allowed at least 30 points in seven of eight SEC games this season. They rank 92nd nationally in scoring defense (28.8 ppg), 89th in total defense (395.5 ypg) and 116th in pass defense (248.8 ypg).
That poor performance led to coach Josh Heupel firing Banks one year after he was a finalist for the Broyles Award, given annually to the top assistant in college football.
“We love Coach Banks and feel like as players we didn’t do enough to keep him here and make him look good,” Telander said. “But there are new hires and fires everywhere, and you’ve got to adjust as things go on. For Vol fans, we’ve got a great (defensive coordinator) coming in. We have full trust in him.
“Coach Knowles has a great resume of defenses and great schemes.”
What Tennessee players think about Knowles' complex scheme
Knowles has an impressive track record as one of college football’s most respected defensive coordinators. He served in that role at Western Michigan (2001-02), Duke (2010-17), Oklahoma State (2018-21), Ohio State (2022-24) and Penn State (2025).
His 2024 Ohio State unit led the nation in scoring defense (12.9 ppg) and total defense (254.6 ypg) en route to a national championship, which included a win over Tennessee in the 2024 CFP first round.
But Knowles also has the reputation of coaching a complex scheme. Telander said UT players are eager to learn it as soon as the Music City Bowl is over.
“(We are) extremely excited. I was telling (linebacker) Edwin (Spillman) earlier that I want to get that install as soon as we possibly can so we can start making flashcards and quizzing each other,” Telander said. “It’ll be a challenge, but I’m looking forward to it.”
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: New Tennessee defensive coordinator Jim Knowles watching bowl practice
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