Tim Banks – Syndication Server

Tim Banks previews Vols playing against Ohio State’s offense

Tennessee defensive coordinator Tim Banks previews the Vols playing against Ohio State in the College Football Playoff.

Tennessee (10-2, 6-2 SEC) will play in its first College Football Playoff as a No. 9 seed. The Vols will travel to No. 8 seed Ohio State (10-2, 7-2 Big Ten) on Saturday in the first round.

Kickoff between Tennessee and the Buckeyes is slated for 8 p.m. EST (ABC) at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio.

Fourth-year Tennessee defensive coordinator Tim Banks met with media on Tuesday and discussed what stands out about Ohio State’s offense.

“I think it’s the skill,” Banks said. “They have really good skill. Traditionally, they have always had really good wideouts. Schematically, they put you in a lot of situations to try to put stress on the defense. They have good coaches and good players. They are an Ohio State team. Some of these teams I have seen in the past, they’re very similar to that.”

Ohio State enters the College Football Playoff first round after suffering a, 13-10, loss to Michigan at home during the regular-season finale.

Banks discussed how the Wolverines were able to have success defensively against Ohio State.

“I think it’s just like anything, it was a rivalry game,” he said. “Those guys played extremely hard against each other and Michigan did a lot of good things. For us, we look at those guys just like I said, a lot of great skill from their running backs to the receivers. Obviously, they’ve got a lot of pride up front how they go about their business. I just think anytime you play in a rivalry game, anything can happen. Obviously, Michigan was very fortunate that day.”

PHOTOS: Tennessee practices in preparation for Ohio State

Tim Banks named finalist for Broyles Award

Tim Banks becomes second Tennessee assistant coach under Josh Heupel to be named Broyles Award Finalist.

Tennessee defensive coordinator Tim Banks was named one of five finalists for the Broyles Award, announced by The Frank and Barbara Broyles Foundation.

The award was created in 1996, recognizing coach Frank Broyles’ legacy of selecting and developing great assistant coaches during his hall-of-fame career as head coach at Arkansas.

The Broyles Award selection process includes the Football Writers Association of America, broadcasters, a college football hall-of-fame selection committee and current college head coaches.

Banks, who is in his 18th season as an FBS defensive coordinator, and his fourth with the Vols, is one of two SEC assistants announced as semifinalists. Banks joins Texas’ Pete Kwiatkowski on the list. Other candidates are Arizona State’s Marcus Arroyo, Indiana’s Bryant Haines and Notre Dame’s Al Golden.

Banks is the second assistant coach to be named a Broyles Award finalist during Josh Heupel’s tenure as head coach at Tennessee. Former offensive coordinator and current South Florida head coach Alex Golesh was recognized as a semifinalist in 2022.

Tim Banks. Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Notre Dame defensive coordinator makes final cut for Broyles Award

Way to go, Al!

Notre Dame wouldn’t have made the College Football Playoff without its defense. That wouldn’t be possible without a solid defensive coordinator in [autotag]Al Golden[/autotag].

The Irish bet big on Golden by signing him to a four-year contract extension in the offseason. Golden has rewarded their faith and then some.

Now, Golden could be recognized nationally for his work as he has been named one of five finalists for the Broyles Award, which is given to the best assistant coach in college football. The winner will be announced at a ceremony Feb. 13.

Broyles fellow finalists also helped their teams make the playoff. Arizona State’s Marcus Arroyo is the only offensive coordinator who made the cut. The rest, all defensive coordinators, are Indiana’s Bryant Haines, Tennessee’s Tim Banks and Texas’ Pete Kwiatkowski.

Golden would be the second Irish assistant coach to win this award, joining [autotag]Bob Diaco[/autotag] in 2012. Let’s hope that comes to pass.

Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes and opinions.

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Tim Banks named Broyles Award semifinalist

Tennessee defensive coordinator Tim Banks named semifinalist for Broyles Award.

Tennessee defensive coordinator Tim Banks was named a semifinalist for the Frank Broyles Award on Tuesday.

He is one of 15 semifinalists for the award, which is presented annually to the top assistant coach in college football.

The award was created in 1996, recognizing coach Frank Broyles’ legacy of selecting and developing great assistant coaches during his hall-of-fame career as head coach at Arkansas.

The Broyles Award selection process includes the Football Writers Association of America, broadcasters, a college football hall-of-fame selection committee and current college head coaches.

Five finalists will be announced Dec. 10.

Banks, who is in his 18th season as an FBS defensive coordinator, and his fourth with the Vols, is one of four SEC assistants announced as semifinalists. Others include South Carolina’s Clayton White, Texas’ Pete Kwiatkowski and Vanderbilt’s Tim Beck.

Banks is the second assistant coach to be named a Broyles Award semifinalist during Josh Heupel’s tenure as head coach at Tennessee. Former offensive coordinator and current South Florida head coach Alex Golesh was recognized in 2022.

Tim Banks discusses Keenan Pili returning to Vols’ defense

Tennessee defensive coordinator Tim Banks discusses linebacker Keenan Pili returning to the Vols’ defense in 2024.

Redshirt senior linebacker Keenan Pili is in his second season with Tennessee.

The 6-foot-3, 240-pound Pili appeared in one game last season for the Vols. He recorded four tackles and played 29 snaps in Tennessee’s season-opening win versus Virginia in 2023. Pili suffered an upper-body injury and missed the final 11 games during the regular-season.

Tennessee defensive coordinator Tim Banks met with media on Tuesday ahead of the Vols’ Week 3 matchup with Kent State. He discussed having Pili returning the Vols’ defense this season.

“For me, it is very satisfying,” Banks said. “He is a kid who has worked his tail off. He got hurt early in the season last year. I know how tough that was for him, but he stayed locked in. He stayed with the team. He continued to push guys and learn our defense, so to finally see him see the fruits of his efforts, man listen, I feel like a proud dad to see him go out there and do what he did.

“He is a big athlete, we knew that. He has great stamina. We think he is only going to get better as he continues to grow in this defense, so we are excited for him.”

Through two games this season, Pili has recorded six tackles.

Tim Banks discusses Tennessee’s spring football practices

Tennessee defensive coordinator Tim Banks discusses spring football practices.

Tennessee kicked off spring practices at Anderson Training Center on Monday in preparation for the 2024 campaign.

The Vols will conclude spring practices with its annual Orange & White Game on April 13 at Neyland Stadium.

The 2024 Orange & White Game will be held with limited capacity. Approximately 10,000 fans will be in attendance due to construction. The Orange & White Game will air live on SEC Network+ and across all Vol Network radio affiliates.

PHOTOS: Tennessee kicks off spring football practices

Following Tennessee’s second spring practice on Tuesday at Anderson Training Center, fourth-year defensive coordinator Tim Banks met with media. His media availability can be watched below.

Jaylen McCollough breaks Tennessee career record for starts

Jaylen McCollough breaks Tennessee career record for starts.

No. 23 Tennessee (9-4, 4-4 SEC) defeated No. 17 Iowa (10-4, 7-2 Big Ten), 35-0, Monday in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida.

Rankings reflect the US LBM Coaches Poll.

Senior defensive back Jaylen McCollough made his 51st career start in Tennessee’s win against Iowa. That sets Tennessee’s career record for starts, passing defensive back Jonathan Hefney, who started 50 games for the Vols from 2004-07.

The 6-foot, 206-pound McCollough recorded four tackles and one pass deflection against the Hawkeyes.

“We are proud of him,” Tennessee defensive coordinator Tim Banks said of McCollough ahead of the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl. “I think it says a lot about him as a man and his durability and being able to fight through some bumps and bruises. We are excited for him. Not only has he been a tremendous player on the field, but, definitely, a great locker room teammate and a guy that we have enjoyed coaching through this ride.”

PHOTOS: Tennessee defeats Iowa in 2024 Cheez-It Citrus Bowl

Tim Banks discusses Tennessee’s defensive backs against Iowa

Defensive coordinator Tim Banks discusses Tennessee’s defensive backs against Iowa.

Seven Tennessee defensive backs entered the NCAA transfer portal following the conclusion of the 2023 regular-season and ahead of the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl against Iowa.

Warren Burrell (transferred to Georgia Tech), Jack Luttrell (transferred to Arizona), Brandon Turnage, Doneiko Slaughter (transferred to Arkansas), De’Shawn Rucker (transferred to South Florida), Tamarion McDonald (transferred to Ole Miss) and Wesley Walker entered the NCAA transfer portal for the Vols.

Tennessee defensive coordinator Tim Banks met with media on Friday and discussed younger student-athletes receiving more playing time in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl.

“Anytime you get a chance to get some reps under your belt, it is a chance to build upon it,” Banks said. “Game reps are obviously different than practice reps, and having a chance to do it in the Citrus Bowl on this type of stage will definitely be a valuable experience that those guys can build upon heading into the spring and into the fall.

“It will be great for those guys to go out there and cut their teeth and get this thing going to get them to springboard to build upon it, absolutely.”

Tim Banks is one of seven FBS assistants due for a big payday

Tennessee defensive coordinator Tim Banks is one of seven FBS assistant coaches due for a big payday.

Tim Banks is in his third season as Tennessee’s defensive coordinator.

With two games remaining in the 2023 regular-season, Banks is one of seven FBS assistants due for a big payday, according to USA TODAY Sports.

The assessment is part of an annual review of assistant coach compensation, USA TODAY Sports identified those in the FBS who are likely to see a bump in pay, either because of a strong performance or job offers.

USA TODAY Sports’ assessment of Banks:

Banks is the 18th highest-paid assistant coach in the FBS this season, but he might still see a raise given where his compensation ranks among defensive coordinators in the Southeastern Conference (seventh). Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel, whose focus is on offense, likely feels fortunate that he can rely on Banks to lead the Volunteers’ defense − a unit that, with the exception of last week’s loss to Missouri, has been fairly steady. No defense has scored more touchdowns than Tennessee’s four, and the line has been particularly impressive, ranking among the nation’s best in sacks (tied for seventh in the FBS) and tackles for loss (tied for fourth).

A full review of seven FBS assistant coaches, including Banks, who are due for a big payday can be read here.

READ: Josh Heupel top 10 in 2023 USA TODAY Sports head coach salary database

Tim Banks nominated for Broyles Award

Tennessee defensive coordinator Tim Banks nominated for the Broyles Award.

Tennessee defensive coordinator Tim Banks has been nominated for the Frank Broyles Award.

The award is given to the top assistant football coach. Banks is one of 57 nominees for the award, which is given by the Broyles Foundation.

The award is named for former Arkansas head coach Frank Broyles.

The Broyles Award selection process includes the Football Writers Association of America, broadcasters, a College Football Hall-of-Fame selection committee and current college head coaches.

A selection committee of former head coaches, broadcasters and a committee representing the FWAA will select 15 semifinalists and the winner.

The 2022 Broyles Award winner was TCU offensive coordinator Garrett Riley, who is now serving in the same capacity at Clemson.