Tennessee reportedly fired defensive coordinator Tim Banks on Monday after the Volunteers gave up 28.8 points per game this season.
Linebackers coach William Inge is expected to take over as head coach Josh Heupel’s defensive coordinator for the Dec. 30 Music City Bowl against Illinois on Dec. 30.
The move comes one season after Banks, 53, was lauded for the team’s defense and was a finalist for the Broyles Award that is given out each season to the top assistant coach in the nation.
After last season, Tennessee extended Banks’ contract through 2028.
Tennessee (8-4) was 14th in the SEC in scoring defense and total defense (395.3 yards per game) this season. The defensive issues were particularly evident in pass defense where they were next to last in the SEC with 248.6 yards allowed.
The Volunteers started the season 5-1 before losing to a trio of ranked teams over their last six regular-season games, including a 45-24 loss to No. 14 Vanderbilt on Nov 29.
Banks has been at Tennessee since 2021 after spending five seasons as Penn State’s co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach. He also has served as an assistant at Ferris State, Bowling Green, Memphis, Maryland, Central Michigan, Cincinnati and Illinois since 1996.
