Tim Banks gives heartwarming take on coaching with Willie Martinez

Tennessee Defensive Coordinator Tim Banks and the entire Tennessee coaching staff are entering their second year at the helms of the Volunteer program. For Banks, part of what made the move to UT a little bit smoother, was bringing aboard one of his own former coach in secondary coach Willie Martinez.

Martinez coached Banks when he was an All-MAC player back in the mid-90s as a defensive back for Central Michigan. Now, a near-30 years later, the two reunited as Banks’ defense has Martinez handling the secondary.

In a recent interview with Eric Cain, Banks revealed what the relationship with Martinez means to him and how he’s able to communicate the experience to recruits since he himself played for one of the coaches. Here were his comments:

“It’s been awesome. Coach Martinez is obviously has been coaching a long time. Has done it at a high level everywhere he’s been. He hasn’t changed, except maybe some of the gray hair. Very intense, very knowledgeable. I tell recruits this all the time.

“A lot of coaches talk about treating them like your son and loving on them and all those things when they get on campus. Well, I was able to experience that first hand. Him and his wife, Miss Kim, were nothing but great to me and my girlfriend, who’s my wife now. Everything he says is very authentic. He’s very passionate about the game of football and he’s passionate about kids in general. So, I had a chance to live it.

“So, for me, when I’m talking about UT and our coaching staff, in particular coach Martinez, it’s something I’ve lived. He’s a wonderful coach. We have a tremendous defensive staff to be quite honest with you. Obviously, having a guy that I considered a mentor growing up in the profession — and now having the chance to work alongside him — has been awesome for me.”

Tim Banks enjoys having his own former mentor help him take over the biggest job of his career. And one that comes packed with pressure. Tennessee fans expect winning, immediate winning. They’ve shown they’re not scared to run a coach out fairly quickly if the results they desire don’t come within the first few years. So with all that pressure, it’s nice for Banks to have someone he’s comfortable with alongside him.