Tennessee DC Tim Banks focused on finding the best 2025 version of defense

Wednesday started journey five for Tennessee defensive coordinator Tim Banks. And for Banks that means a clean slate following his 2024 defense that was the best squad for the Vols to date under Banks. 

The 2024 defensive squad was simply outstanding. They didn’t give up a first half touchdown in seven games. Tennessee’s defense was terrific on opening drives of each half. They were top 10 nationally in red zone defense and third down defense. 

But that was last year and Banks quickly noted that last year has nothing to do with the journey that is started on the practice field on Wednesday.

“Not to be cliche about it, but we look at every year as a new year. I think that’s why we have been able to build a culture the way we have built it,” Banks said. “We don’t necessarily talk a lot about what we did last year, or where we need to go as a unit because it’s a different team. There are obviously some things that you look at statistically, where you can be better. You ask yourself, is it scheme? Is it personnel? How can we be better as coaches? But to a man, those guys understand this is a new year, and I think because we have that starting fresh, starting over, adhering to the process and working step by step and day by day to get better. I think that’s always helped us in a way we have been able to grow just because we know no sacks, no interceptions or no tackle for losses last year will pay dividends this year. Those guys understand that. I think that’s why we have been good.”

Banks’ challenge in 2025 is different. Tennessee is replacing a first round draft pick in James Pearce and while Pearce might not have put up big sacks in 2024, he still affected the quarterback and he was still the focal point offensive coordinators and offensive line coaches. Omar Norman-Lott was a second round pick as well. 

There are depth questions at linebacker and the questions in the secondary have grown with the injury to Jermod McCoy and the unknown status of Boo Carter.

With different personnel, the defensive identity will be different. The core of who they are will be the same as it’s based on a pressure, attacking style, but how they achieve that in 2025 will be different in 2024. And that’s why Banks’ off-season self-scout coming off the defenses best year wasn’t one or two statistical things. It was about making sure he’s playing to the strengths of this particular defensive unit. 

“I think for us, when you look at the self-scout, it always comes down to are we playing winning football. What do we need to do to win? I think at the end of the day, whether you are talking about our first year here or three years after that, we have always tried to play to the strength of our players, first and foremost. Put those guys into the best situation to be successful, and as you evaluate, you ask yourself, did you do that? We’ve felt like we did that in a lot of ways. There’s obviously some things we think that we can still be better at, whether you are talking about first and 10 defense or whether you are talking about continuing to be even better in the redzone. Again, as good as you are, when you look at that tape, like man, if we had just executed a little bit better here, we will be even better. I don’t know that there’s some real big action items outside of just continuing to grow and make sure we identify who we are from a personnel group. Now the next question is how do we play to their strengths and put these guys in the best situation to play winning football.” 

Answering that question is officially underway.