Tag: Akeem Odusipe

James Franklin congratulates Tim Banks becoming Vols’ defensive coordinator

Tim Banks has been hired as Tennessee’s defensive coordinator on Josh Heupel’s coaching staff.

Tim Banks has been hired as Tennessee’s defensive coordinator on Josh Heupel’s coaching staff.

Banks comes to Tennessee after serving in the same capacity at Penn State since 2016 under head coach James Franklin.

“I would like to thank Tim for everything he has contributed to our program,” Franklin said of Banks on Twitter. “This was a great opportunity for him to be the defensive play caller and DC at Tennessee.

“I have spent seven seasons on staffs with Tim at Maryland and Penn State, and I have enjoyed watching him develop into the coach he is today. Tim and his wife, Robin, will always have a special place in my family’s heart. We are excited for Tim and his family and wish him nothing but success in the future.”

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Knoxville Catholic’s Akeem Odusipe commits to Vanderbilt

Knoxville Catholic’s Akeem Odusipe commits to Vanderbilt.

KNOXVILLE — An all-state power forward has finally announced where he plans to attend college.

Knoxville Catholic High School’s Akeem Odusipe made it official when he verbal committed to play for head coach Jerry Stackhouse and Vanderbilt.

Odusipe, a 6-foot-9 forward, is a versatile defender and had two great years playing varsity basketball for the Irish to a Division II-AA State championship.

Tennessee and head coach Rick Barnes did not make an offer to Odusipe, who was on the state’s all-tournament team and was selected to the Tennessee Sports Writers Association’s Division II-AA All-State Team.

He was a dominant post presence for KCHS, both offensively and defensively. The future Commodore averaged 16.3 points, 11.1 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game for the Irish last season.

Odusipe made an official visit to Rhode Island in February and held offers from Texas A&M, South Carolina, Georgia, West Virginia, Auburn, Virginia, Maryland, Texas-Arlington and Seton Hall among others.

Barnes was in attendance when the Irish ousted defending state champion Briarcrest Christian on March 6 in Nashville and still did not offer Odusipe, who scored nine points and grabbed 13 rebounds in the title game against the Saints.

Barnes has offered Knoxville Catholic point guard B.J. Edwards who will be a junior for the Irish when school resumes in the fall.

Edwards was the state tournament MVP as a sophomore. He scored 14 points and pulled down eight rebounds against the Saints in the state title game.