Josh Heupel has dismissed Tennessee defensive coordinator Tim Banks following a disappointing 2025 campaign, the university announced on Dec. 8.
The move comes just one year after Banks was a Broyles Award finalist and received a contract extension worth $2.15 million annually through 2027. Despite Tennessee boasting one of college football’s most explosive offenses, Banks’ defense failed to keep pace throughout the season.
“I want to thank Tim for everything he has done for Tennessee over the last five seasons,” Heupel said in a university statement. “He played a major role in returning our program to national prominence. More importantly, Tim is a man of great character, and I have tremendous respect for him. We wish him the very best moving forward.”
Linebackers coach William Inge will take over as interim defensive coordinator when No. 23 Tennessee (8-4) faces Illinois (8-4) in the Music City Bowl on Dec. 30 in Nashville. Inge brings previous experience as a defensive coordinator or co-coordinator at Northern Iowa, Buffalo, Indiana, Fresno State, and Washington.
“These decisions are never easy, but this was one I felt was necessary for the future of our program,” Heupel added. “We are committed to finding a defensive coordinator who will uphold the standard Tennessee is known for.”
Tim Banks Becomes the First Assistant Fired by Josh Heupel
The decision marks the first time in Heupel’s eight-year head coaching career that he has fired an assistant coach. Until now, most staff changes under Heupel involved assistants departing for promotions elsewhere. Banks had served as Heupel’s defensive coordinator for his entire tenure at Tennessee, beginning in 2021.
The partnership saw highs and lows, including a standout 2024 season in which Banks led the toughest Vols defense since their 1998 national championship team. Tennessee allowed just 16.1 points per game that year and reached the College Football Playoff behind its strongest defensive performance in any Heupel-led program.
However, the 2025 season told a different story. The Vols surrendered 30 or more points in seven of eight SEC matchups, finishing 92nd in scoring defense (28.8 ppg) and 116th in pass defense (248.8 ypg). The secondary was hit hard by injuries and roster issues: All-America cornerback Jermod McCoy missed the season with a torn ACL, starting corner Rickey Gibson was sidelined after a Week 1 injury, and nickelback Boo Carter—an All-SEC preseason selection—was dismissed from the team in November.
On top of that, Tennessee struggled with tackling, communication, and third-down execution, compounding the defensive collapse.
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