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.
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.
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.
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.”
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.”
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.
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.
Everything Tennessee defensive coordinator Tim Banks said ahead of the Texas A&M game.
No. 17 Tennessee (4-1, 1-1 SEC) will host Texas A&M (4-2, 2-1 SEC) on Saturday in Week 7.
Kickoff is slated for 3:30 p.m. EDT and will be televised by CBS. Brad Nessler (play-by-play), Gary Danielson (analyst) and Jenny Dell (sideline) will be on the call.
Tennessee had an open date in Week 6, while the Aggies lost to Alabama, 26-20.
Kickoff between the Vols and Aggies is slated for 3:30 p.m. EDT at Neyland Stadium.
CBS will televise the Southeastern Conference cross-divisional matchup. Brad Nessler (play-by-play), Gary Danielson (analyst) and Jenny Dell (sideline) will be on the call.
Tennessee defensive back Rickey Gibson III “continues to grow” during 2023 season.
Freshman defensive back Rickey Gibson III has appeared in three games for the Vols in 2023.
He has not recorded any statistics.
Tennessee third-year defensive coordinator Tim Banks discussed potentially giving Gibson III more playing time.
“We definitely like Rickey Gibson,” Banks said ahead of playing UTSA in Week 4. “We feel like he’s one of the freshmen that continues to grow and continues to get better week in and week out. My stance hasn’t changed. We want to play as many guys as we possibly can, develop some depth and be able to play at a high standard coming down the back stretch of the season. Every week is a new week, but as he continues to get better, we’ll continue to try and get him more repetitions.”
The 6-foot, 185-pound Gibson III came to Tennessee from Hewitt-Trussville High School in Trussville, Alabama.
Tennessee defensive coordinator Tim Banks discusses Tyler Baron being healthy in 2023.
Senior defensive lineman Tyler Baron is in his fourth season at Tennessee.
The 6-foot-5, 260-pound Baron recorded three tackles, 2.5 tackles for a loss and two sacks in the Vols’ season-opening win versus Virginia.
Third-year defensive coordinator Tim Banks met with media on Tuesday and discussed Baron in 2023.
“I think it’s, just like I tell anyone, being healthy,” Banks said. “Tyler is healthy. He’s always had the potential to be one of the elite players in this conference. Having the chance to keep him healthy is job number one for us and for him, as well.
“I think as long as he stays healthy and stays with the mindset and the intent that he has, we expect him to have a tremendous season for us moving forward.”
Baron appeared 36 games for the Vols from 2020-22, recording 73 tackles and 7.5 sacks.
Third-year Tennessee defensive coordinator Tim Banks discussed Pili’s performance on Tuesday.
“Just everything that he brought to practice since he’s been here, just great leadership, communication,” Banks said. “Just having the ability to command the defense. Just making sure the front is where it needs to be, communicating with (Aaron) Beasley, making sure that everybody is where they need to be at all times is the number one thing. Just his overall physicality with the size that he has.
“You want big guys, but obviously in this day and age, they have to be able to function in space and he’s able to do those things for us. We’re very pleased with what he brought, just his overall toughness, and smarts, and communication skills. We’re excited for him.”
