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Could Tennessee football lose defensive coordinator Tim Banks? Here's his contract status
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- Could Tennessee football lose defensive coordinator Tim Banks? Here's his contract status
Once a scapegoat for Tennessee shortcomings, defensive coordinator Tim Banks is now coveted by other College Football Playoff contenders as his contract nears expiration.
He led the stingiest Vols defense since the 1998 national title team, allowing only 16.1 points per game in 2024. But he's not under contract for the 2025 season.
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Banks' defense was a weakness early in coach Josh Heupel's tenure. But it was a big factor in the Vols making the first 12-team playoff in 2024. And Banks is a finalist for the Broyles Award , given annually to the top assistant in college football.
That turnround is the intriguing backdrop to Banks' future with the Vols.
UT didn't offer Banks a contract extension last offseason, leaving him as a lame duck coordinator while his defense led the way toward the playoff. But UT offered him an extension late in the 2024 season, a source with direct knowledge of the negotiations told Knox News. The source was granted anonymity because the negotiations were not made public.
Was Tennessee 's pitch to retain Banks too late?
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Here is Banks' status with the Vols and why he's a hot name for job openings.
Tim Banks contract status, where his pay ranks
Banks' contract runs through Jan. 31, so Tennessee has only a few weeks to get him signed to a new deal. The contracts also will expire for defensive secondary coach Willie Martinez and special teams coordinator/outside linebacker coach Mike Ekeler.
Banks earned $1.5 million in 2024, which ranked 21st nationally in total pay among assistant coaches and 10th in the SEC.
That national salary ranking was led by four defensive coordinators: LSU 's Blake Baker ($2.5 million), Michigan 's Wink Martindale ($2.3 million), Ohio State's Jim Knowles ($2.2 million) and Ole Miss ' Pete Golding ($2.15 million).
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In 2021, Banks was hired as Josh Heupel's defensive coordinator and given a three-year contact through the 2023 season. After the 2021 season, he was extended one year through the 2024 season and given a scheduled raise. His pay increased from $1.4 million in 2022 to $1.5 million in 2023.
But Banks' deal has been untouched for the past three years as he's built the Vols defense into one of the SEC's best.
Tim Banks linked to jobs at ACC schools
Miami reportedly showed interest in Banks to fill its vacant defensive coordinator position. Lance Guidry was fired after defensive lapses late in the season cost the Hurricanes a shot at the CFP.
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Banks' defense was instrumental in getting Tennessee into the CFP. But the chances of Banks leaving for Miami appear to be low.
Banks also has been reported as a potential candidate at Clemson after Wes Goodwin was fired on Monday.
Clemson found a backdoor into the CFP with an ACC title. But the Tigers' rush defense ranked No. 85, allowing 160.6 yards per game for their worst mark since 2011. And they allowed 292 yards rushing in a CFP first-round loss to Texas .
Under Banks, the Vols ranked No. 10 in rushing defense this season, allowing 103.9 yards per game. They've ranked in the top four in the SEC in rushing defense each of the past three seasons.
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Here's how good Tennessee defense was in 2024
Banks' value rose in the 2024 season as the offense struggled and the defense carried more weight.
The Vols allowed 16.1 points per game, ranking No. 8 in scoring defense. The 1998 UT defense allowed 14.5 points per game en route to a national title.
Banks' 2024 unit also allowed 293.2 yards per game, ranking No. 7 in total defense. It also ranked in the top 10 in rushing defense, third-down defense, fourth-down defense and tackles-for-loss.
Those are impressive numbers, especially for Banks, who's always insisted that he doesn't dwell on stats.
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Why Tim Banks is critical to 2025 season
Granted, Banks' defense struggled in losses at Georgia and Ohio State, allowing a combined 73 points. That kept the Vols out of the SEC title game and ended their CFP appearance, respectively.
But without Banks' defense, UT wouldn't have gotten into those positions.
Plus, Banks is well liked by coaches and players because of his modest ego. He often credits others for success, and he downplays his own contributions.
And it's not easy to be the defensive coordinator alongside a Heupel offense. UT's fast-paced offense puts quite a burden on its own defense, especially in terms of time of possession. But Banks has always embraced that partnership.
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In 2024, the Vols had long scoring lulls, so Banks defense had to pitch low-scoring games for victories. UT held opponents under 20 points in 10 games, including nine wins.
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And there are more questions about UT's offense than defense in 2025, so Banks' return could be key in keeping the Vols as a playoff contender.
If UT doesn't sign him to a new contract, there could be just as much uncertainty for UT's defense as its offense.
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 at knoxnews.com/subscribe .
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tim Banks contract status after historic Tennessee season for defense
