Tennessee Hires Jim Knowles Vols Adding Proven Defensive Coordinator

Bonisiwe Shabane

-Jan 12, 2026, 9:27 AM

tennessee hires jim knowles vols adding proven defensive coordinator

Tennessee has hired Jim Knowles as its next defensive coordinator following the firing of Tim Banks earlier this week, the university announced Thursday. The move signals a major effort by coach Josh Heupel to re-establish his team's defensive identity after a costly drop-off in performance in 2025. Banks, who was dismissed Monday after five seasons in Knoxville, saw his defense collapse this fall. Once a unit that helped carry Tennessee into the College Football Playoff just a season ago, the Volunteers surrendered 28.8 points per game and allowed 395.5 yards on average -- both third-worst in the... Enter Knowles, who after spending 2025 at Penn State, was not retained by incoming coach Matt Campbell and found a landing spot in Knoxville. Knowles' coaching résumé is among the most decorated for a defensive coordinator.

Before Penn State, he spent three seasons as defensive coordinator at Ohio State -- including the 2024 national championship season, when his defense ranked No. 1 in the country in both scoring (12.9) and total defense (254.6). "Hiring Jim Knowles was our top priority from the start of this process," Heupel said in a statement. "Jim has a proven track record of developing elite defenses that play with an edge, and we got to see that first-hand during the 2024 College Football Playoff. His defenses are always physical, well prepared and can adapt quickly in-game against today's complex offenses. He's a competitor, a winner and someone who will get the most out of our players in practice and on gameday.

Penn State's Jim Knowles has replaced Tim Banks as Tennessee's new defensive coordinator, UT announced on Dec. 11. Knowles signed a three-year deal with Tennessee that pays him $6.6 million plus bonuses, according to a memorandum of understanding UT provided to Knox News. He will earn $2 million in the 2026 season, $2.2 million in the 2027 season and $2.4 million in the 2028 season. His contract will expire on Jan. 31, 2029.

"Hiring Jim Knowles was our top priority from the start of this process," Heupel said in a school release. "Jim has a proven track record of developing elite defenses that play with an edge, and we got to see that first-hand during the 2024 College Football Playoff. His defenses are always physical, well prepared and can adapt quickly in-game against today's complex offenses. "He's a competitor, a winner and someone who will get the most out of our players in practice and on gameday. We are thrilled to welcome Jim to Rocky Top as he helps us chase championships." Players were told about Knowles' hiring during a team meeting.

Tennessee announced the hiring of defensive coordinator Jim Knowles on Thursday. He is the second defensive coordinator during Josh Heupel's tenure as the Vols' head coach since 2021. "Hiring Jim Knowles was our top priority from the start of this process," Heupel said. "Jim has a proven track record of developing elite defenses that play with an edge, and we got to see that first-hand during the 2024 College Football Playoff. His defenses are always physical, well prepared and can adapt quickly in-game against today's complex offenses. He's a competitor, a winner and someone who will get the most out of our players in practice and on gameday.

We are thrilled to welcome Jim to Rocky Top as he helps us chase championships." Knowles was Penn State's defensive coordinator in 2025 after serving in the same capacity at Ohio State from 2022-24. He was also an assistant at Duke and Ole Miss under head coach David Cutcliffe. Tennessee parted ways with Tim Banks on Monday after five seasons as defensive coordinator. Tennessee has hired Jim Knowles as its next defensive coordinator following the firing of Tim Banks earlier this week, the university announced Thursday. The move signals a major effort by coach Josh Heupel to re-establish his team's defensive identity after a costly drop-off in performance in 2025.

Banks, who was dismissed Monday after five seasons in Knoxville, saw his defense collapse this fall. Once a unit that helped carry Tennessee into the College Football Playoff just a season ago, the Volunteers surrendered 28.8 points per game and allowed 395.5 yards on average -- both third-worst in the... Enter Knowles, who after spending 2025 at Penn State, was not retained by incoming coach Matt Campbell and found a landing spot in Knoxville. Knowles' coaching résumé is among the most decorated for a defensive coordinator. Before Penn State, he spent three seasons as defensive coordinator at Ohio State -- including the 2024 national championship season, when his defense ranked No. 1 in the country in both scoring (12.9) and total defense (254.6).

"Hiring Jim Knowles was our top priority from the start of this process," Heupel said in a statement. "Jim has a proven track record of developing elite defenses that play with an edge, and we got to see that first-hand during the 2024 College Football Playoff. His defenses are always physical, well prepared and can adapt quickly in-game against today's complex offenses. He's a competitor, a winner and someone who will get the most out of our players in practice and on gameday. Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel watches his players warm up before an NCAA college football game against Florida, Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, in Gainesville, Fla.

(AP Photo/John Raoux) KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee coach Josh Heupel has hired Jim Knowles as the Volunteers’ new defensive coordinator. Heupel moved quickly after firing coordinator Tim Banks on Monday, and the Volunteers coach said Thursday that hiring Knowles was a priority from the start. “Jim has a proven track record of developing elite defenses that play with an edge, and we got to see that first-hand during the 2024 College Football Playoff,” Heupel said of the Vols’ first-round... Knowles has coached 38 years in college football with 18 as a defensive coordinator. He spent this season at Penn State and was at Ohio State between 2022 and 2024, helping the Buckeyes win the 2024 national championship.

"Hiring Jim Knowles was our top priority from the start of this process," Heupel said in a school release. "Jim has a proven track record of developing elite defenses that play with an edge, and we got to see that first-hand during the 2024 College Football Playoff. His defenses are always physical, well prepared and can adapt quickly in-game against today's complex offenses. To stream WBIR on your phone, you need the WBIR app. Example video title will go here for this video Example video title will go here for this video

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee on Thursday confirmed the hire of one of the most respected defensive minds in football. Jim Knowles, who built a string of impressive defenses at several power-conference programs, has officially been hired as Tennessee’s defensive coordinator, according to a Thursday afternoon release. Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel watches his players warm up before an NCAA college football game against Florida, Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee coach Josh Heupel has hired Jim Knowles as the Volunteers’ new defensive coordinator. Heupel moved quickly after firing coordinator Tim Banks on Monday, and the Volunteers coach said Thursday that hiring Knowles was a priority from the start. “Jim has a proven track record of developing elite defenses that play with an edge, and we got to see that first-hand during the 2024 College Football Playoff,” Heupel said of the Vols’ first-round... Knowles has coached 38 years in college football with 18 as a defensive coordinator. He spent this season at Penn State and was at Ohio State between 2022 and 2024, helping the Buckeyes win the 2024 national championship.

Tennessee Football on Thursday officially announced the hiring of Jim Knowles to be the new defensive coordinator for Josh Heupel. “Hiring Jim Knowles was our top priority from the start of this process,” Heupel said in a statement. “Jim has a proven track record of developing elite defenses that play with an edge, and we got to see that first-hand during the 2024 College Football Playoff. His defenses are always physical, well prepared and can adapt quickly in-game against today’s complex offenses. “He’s a competitor, a winner and someone who will get the most out of our players in practice and on gameday. We are thrilled to welcome Jim to Rocky Top as he helps us chase championships.”

Heupel began his search for a new defensive coordinator over the weekend after he relieved Tim Banks of his duties. Banks has reportedly landed on Alex Golesh’s staff at Auburn as the safeties coach. The 60-year-old Knowles comes to Tennessee from Penn State, where he was the defensive coordinator for one season. Prior to that, Knowles was at Ohio State for three seasons, helping lead the Buckeyes to a national championship.

Tennessee Hires Jim Knowles Vols Adding Proven Defensive Coordinator

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