Tim Banks reveals offseason mindset for defense heading into 2022

In the 2021 season, the Tennessee Volunteers football program made strides in the right direction for most of the year. However, the team is not where they want to be just yet, at the top of the SEC. During a recent interview, the Volunteers defensive coordinator, Tim Banks, reveals what strides they have made on the defensive side of the ball and their mindset this off-season.

“So far, so good. The guys are working really hard. I felt really good about the spring,” said Banks. “Obviously, they’re working really hard conditioning right now, and we got some newcomers there. So, you know, so far, so good.”

The SEC as a conference has entered into an era of offensive explosion. Most teams have an offense that can explode on you at any given time. And unfortunately, Tennessee’s defense felt the heat from those explosions last season.

The Volunteers went 7-6 on the season and 4-4 in conference play. Their two out-of-conference losses came at the hands of two potent offenses in their own right in Purdue and Pittsburgh. In those six losses, Tennessee relinquished over 31 points each time, with their opponents averaging nearly 42 points per game. But, Banks are ready to move on from the past and set up a new foundation for the future.

“Last year was last year. We’re really trying to foundation coming out of spring and in the summer to try to put the best brand of football out there we possibly can. I know the guys are genuinely excited about it, particularly returning guys. I got a couple freshmen out there that I hear good things about so it’s a good time.”

Banks and the Volunteers defense will get a chance to redeem themselves for the 41 points they gave up against Pittsburgh last year. The Panthers are without Heisman Trophy candidate quarterback Kenny Pickett, who was drafted in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. And Biletnikoff award-winning receiver Jordan Addison left for USC over the summer. But that should not matter to the Volunteers, and their defense should be in the mood for some payback when the two teams face off in early September. If Banks and Tennessee can get past them, they will face their usual murderers’ row of SEC opponents. This year’s list of games includes trips to LSU, Georgia, and South Carolina this season. Along with facing the Alabama Crimson Tide on Oct. 15.