Tennessee’s Tim Banks named Broyles Award Finalist
Volunteers’ defensive coordinator Tim Banks has been named one of five Finalists for the 2024 Broyles Award, an honor given annually to the nation’s top assistant coach.
Banks joins the deserving group of Arizona State offensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo, Indiana defensive coordinator Bryant Haines, Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden and Texas defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski. As mentioned, Banks is one of four defensive coordinators up for the award, a group that also includes one offensive coordinator.
The fourth-year Tennessee defensive play-caller was one of 15 semifinalists announced in early December – a group that separated themselves from 65 initial FBS nominees. Former Tennessee offensive coordinator, and current USF head coach Alex Golesh, was named a semifinalists for the award in 2022.
Tennessee’s defense ranks in the FBS top 10 in eight different categories as the Vols have held 10 of their 12 opponents to under 20 points in 2024. The Vols held eight of their nine Power 4 opponents to under their season scoring average with Georgia being the outlier.
Some of the best defensive stats in the country have Tennessee near or atop the lists. Such statistics include fourth-down conversions (1st – 28.6), scoring defense (4th – 13.9), yards per play allowed (4th – 4.33), total defense (5th – 278.3), third-down conversions (5th – 29.5), tackles for loss (6th – 7.8). rushing defense (9th – 99.6), team passing efficiency defense (10th – 110.51), red zone defense (11th – 73.5), first downs allowed (16th – 201) and passing defense (16th – 178.7).
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The Vols defense, under Banks, ranks either first or second in eight different statistical categories in the Southeastern Conference while the 18 offensive touchdowns allowed are tied for fourth in FBS and second in the league. The 167 points allowed this season is tied for fifth in FBS and second in the conference. The stat was also the fewest in program history since the 1999 campaign.
The Broyles Award was created in 1996 recognizing Coach Frank Broyles’ legacy of selecting and developing great assistants during his hall of fame career as head coach at Arkansas. The winner will be announced on February 13, 2005.
Banks and the Tennessee Vols are preparing for the College Football Playoffs where round one will pit them at Ohio State on Saturday, December 21.
