Change Tennessee Volunteers Josh Heupel Part Ways With Defensive

Bonisiwe Shabane

-Jan 12, 2026, 5:39 AM

change tennessee volunteers josh heupel part ways with defensive

The Tennessee Volunteers made a major change to their coaching staff, as CBS Sports' Matt Zenitz reported that they parted ways with defensive coordinator Tim Banks. Linebackers coach William Inge will serve as Tennessee's interim defensive coordinator for the Vols' Music City Bowl matchup against Illinois. Banks served as Tennessee's defensive coordinator since 2021, which was the first year of the Josh Heupel era. Prior to his stint in Knoxville, Banks served as the co-defensive coordinator for Penn State under James Franklin. "I want to thank Tim for everything he has done for Tennessee the last five seasons," Heupel said in a statement, via 247Sports. "He helped restore our program to national prominence.

More importantly, Tim is a great man of character and someone I have the utmost respect for. We wish Tim all the best moving forward. "These are tough decisions but one I ultimately felt was necessary for the future of our program. We are fully committed to identifying our next defensive coordinator who will uphold the standard that Tennessee has historically been known for." After finishing second in the SEC in yards allowed per game in 2024, the Vols defense took a step backwards this season. Tennessee allowed 395.3 yards per contest and 28.2 points per game, both of which ranked third-worst in the conference.

The Vols boasted the No. 7 scoring defense in the FBS last year (16.1 points allowed per game), as Tennessee finished the regular season with a 10-2 record, and earn a berth in the College Football Playoff. This season, Tennessee finished 8-4. To stream 13 WTHR on your phone, you need the 13 WTHR app. Example video title will go here for this video Example video title will go here for this video

This is an automated post onto our collaborative platform by Locked On Vols from YouTube If the video doesn't load/isn't available, you can watch HERE on YouTube Find out how you can earn by sharing this content! The defensive coordinator search ignites hot board season, with names like Ryan Walters, Will Muschamp, and Corey Batoon fueling speculation. Eric Cain reviews what Tennessee must prioritize: aggressiveness, nickel formations, and secondary expertise to restore elite defensive play. Listener mailbag tackles Joey Aguilar’s future, NIL implications, and basketball surprises, while upcoming staff changes are set to shape the Volunteers’ playoff ambitions.

Will Tennessee seize this opportunity to build a championship-caliber defense? Catch Locked on Vols, wherever you find your podcasts. ▶️https://linktr.ee/cainer Just a couple of weeks ago, Tennessee football coach Josh Heupel could’ve boasted a couple of facts: He’d never lost to Vanderbilt as a head coach. And he’d never fired an assistant coach as a head coach.

He can’t claim either anymore. Difficult to think it's just coincidence that the Vols parted ways with defensive coordinator Tim Banks on Dec. 8, soon after their regular season was punctuated by a dreadful 45-24 home defeat to the one opponent that Tennessee is least tolerant of dreadful defeats. The Vols allowed quarterback Diego Pavia to call his shot and torment Tennessee’s defense, bolstering his Heisman Trophy candidacy by guiding the Commodores to 582 total yards. Vandy punted one time. It scored touchdowns on six of 10 full possessions.

The 45 points were the most the Vols had allowed in a game since the infamous South Carolina massacre of 2022. Josh Heupel got to the postgame podium faster than he ever has as a Tennessee football coach. He had a two-word message to review the Vols’ 45-24 loss to Vanderbilt: “Extremely disappointing.” Heupel said it three times during his brief opening statement and few more during a somber postgame press conference. Tennessee fans who crossed their arms in disgust throughout the second half murmured saltier words on their way out of Neyland Stadium following the Nov. 29 regular-season finale.

It marked the first time those fans had seen the Vols (8-4, 4-4 SEC) lose three home games in a season since Heupel’s debut campaign in 2021. And they hadn’t seen UT lose to Vanderbilt (10-2, 6-2) since 2018. Tennessee has made a splash hire to run the defense after Josh Heupel decided to let go of Tim Banks. Many fans were happy with the hire of Jim Knowles, but not everyone was. Tim Banks has already moved on from Knoxville as he is now the safeties coach for Auburn, once again coaching with Alex Golesh. With Banks now gone, it's a chance for Tennessee football to elevate its defense to an elite tier.

In 2024 under Banks, the defense was a significant part of the College Football Playoff appearance, but in 2025, the defense took a step back, creating turmoil among fans. Banks is an excellent coach and did a lot of great things for Tennessee, but it's probably best for both parties to move on. New defensive coordinator Jim Knowles was brought to Knoxville on a 3-year deal paying him $2.2 million on average, according to On3's Chris Low. Jim Knowles to Tennessee as DC is official. He has a three-year deal that will pay him $2 million in 2026, $2.2 million in 2027 and $2.4 million in 2028. All things considered, Josh Heupel nailed this hire in my opinion.

The timing couldn't have been more perfect for Knowles to be on the market. Matt Campbell was just hired at Penn State, where it's not that surprising he didn't keep Knowles around. Campbell has been with defensive coordinator Jon Heacock since his Toledo days and will likely take him to Happy Valley. Tennessee dropped its regular-season finale 45-24 to Vanderbilt in an embarrassing second-half display. The Commodores torched the Volunteers' defense and shut down Joey Aguilar and the offense. Diego Pavia solidified his Heisman campaign with a statement win to end the year, and Vanderbilt strengthened their College Football Playoff argument, and it was all done inside Neyland Stadium.

It is clear after this loss that changes are needed. The question is whether Josh Heupel will make the necessary changes this offseason. Heupel was asked in his postgame press conference what he plans to do in the offseason regarding defensive changes, and he left the door open to making much-needed changes on staff, saying, "It's my... I asked Josh Heupel if changes are needed on defense this offseason."It's my job to evaluate everything," Heupel said.

Change Tennessee Volunteers Josh Heupel Part Ways With Defensive

People Also Search

The Tennessee Volunteers Made A Major Change To Their Coaching

More Importantly, Tim Is A Great Man Of Character And

The Vols Boasted The No. 7 Scoring Defense In The

This Is An Automated Post Onto Our Collaborative Platform By

Will Tennessee Seize This Opportunity To Build A Championship-caliber Defense?