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Tim Banks

Tim Banks is an American college football coach serving as the defensive coordinator for the University of Tennessee Volunteers, a position he has held since 2021 and extended via contract in January 2025. With 19 years of experience as a defensive coordinator in Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) programs as of 2025, Banks has developed top-ranked defenses across multiple institutions, earning recognition as a finalist for the 2024 Broyles Award, given to the nation's top assistant coach. A former player at , Banks lettered for four years as a from 1991 to 1994, earning second-team All-Mid-American Conference () honors in 1993 and 1994. He served as co-captain of the Chippewas' 1994 championship team and graduated with a in community recreation in 1995, followed by a master's in sports administration in 1998. Banks began his coaching career at as a in 2000, progressing through roles including defensive backs coach (2001–03), co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach (2004–06), and defensive coordinator (2007–09), where he helped the team to a 2007 Motor City Bowl victory. Banks continued his rise in FBS programs as defensive coordinator at the from 2010 to 2011, guiding a defense that ranked in the top 25 nationally in scoring defense both seasons. He then spent four years (2012–15) as defensive coordinator and secondary coach at the , where his 2015 unit finished 15th nationally in passing yards allowed. From 2016 to 2020, Banks served as co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach at Penn State, contributing to a 46–16 record, three seasons of 11 or more wins, and top-25 national rankings in key defensive categories, including first in forced fumbles (22) in 2019. At , Banks has orchestrated defenses that ranked among the nation's elite, including a top-10 scoring defense in 2022 and a unit that allowed the fewest points per game since the 1998 national championship season in 2024, establishing him as one of 's premier defensive minds.

Early life and education

Early life

Tim Banks was born on December 16, 1971, in , . As a native Detroiter, Banks grew up in the city's urban environment during the and , a time when Detroit's community life was deeply intertwined with local sports traditions. This setting provided Banks with his initial exposure to football and other sports through neighborhood and community influences prevalent in the region. He later transitioned to high school football at Martin Luther King High School in Detroit.

High school career

Tim Banks attended Martin Luther King High School in , , where he was a member of the known as the King Crusaders. As a , Banks honed his skills under the guidance of notable coaches James Reynolds and Dale Harvel, contributing to the team's efforts during a formative period in his athletic development. His high school performance as a garnered attention from college programs, leading to his recruitment by , where he earned a and continued playing the position.

College years

Following a successful career at Martin Luther King High School in , , Tim Banks transitioned to , where he enrolled to pursue both academics and athletics. At , Banks joined the Chippewas football program as a , contributing to the team over his undergraduate years while balancing his studies. Academically, he focused on , earning a degree from the university in 1995.

Playing career

Achievements at Central Michigan

Tim Banks was a four-year letterwinner as a for the from 1991 to 1994. During his junior year in 1993, Banks led the team in tackles with 105 stops, showcasing his defensive prowess in the secondary. As a senior in 1994, he served as co-captain of the Chippewas' (MAC) championship team, contributing to their conference title win and participating in the . His leadership and performance earned him two-time All-MAC second-team honors as a in 1993 and 1994. Over his career, Banks amassed over 200 tackles and recorded two interceptions, solidifying his reputation as a standout player in 's defense. He graduated from in 1995 with a degree in .

Coaching career

Early coaching positions

After retiring from his playing career at , Tim Banks transitioned into coaching, beginning with entry-level roles that built on his experience as a . In 1996, he served as a at under Gary Blackney, assisting with defensive preparations for the Falcons. Banks then moved to , where he coached the defensive backs for two seasons from 1997 to 1998, helping develop the secondary for II program. He returned to in 1999 as the running backs coach, contributing to the team's offensive strategies before shifting to defensive backs coach in 2000, where he mentored players in coverage techniques. In 2001, Banks joined the as outside linebackers coach under new Tommy West, focusing on edge rushers and run support for the team. He transitioned to defensive backs coach in 2002, overseeing the secondary; that season, the Tigers ranked ninth in Division I-A pass defense, allowing an average of 165.8 yards per game.

University of Maryland

Tim Banks joined the University of Maryland as inside linebackers coach in 2003, following two seasons at the where he coached linebackers and cornerbacks. In this role through 2005, he focused on developing the Terrapins' linebacker corps within the competitive (). Under Banks' guidance, standout linebacker D'Qwell Jackson emerged as a dominant force, earning first-team All- honors in both 2004 and 2005. Jackson was named the 2005 ACC Defensive Player of the Year, finished as a finalist for the , led the conference in tackles, and ranked second nationally with 137 stops as a senior. These achievements highlighted Banks' impact on player development in a Power conference setting. In 2006, Banks was promoted to defensive backs coach, overseeing the secondary for the Terrapins. He mentored Josh Wilson, who excelled as a senior leader and earned honorable mention All-ACC recognition before being selected in the second round of the by the . Wilson's professional career, which spanned nine NFL seasons, underscored the foundational coaching Banks provided. During Banks' tenure from to , Maryland's showed notable improvements, ranking 15th nationally in total defense in 2003 and 21st in 2004. That same year, the unit boasted the nation's sixth-best scoring defense, allowing just 15.6 points per game. These rankings reflected the contributions of Banks' position groups to the Terrapins' competitiveness.

Central Michigan University

Tim Banks returned to his alma mater, , in 2007 to serve as under head coach , following his stint at the University of Maryland. During his tenure from 2007 to 2009, Banks' defenses established a strong foundation in run-stopping, leading the (MAC) in rush defense in both 2007 and 2008. In 2008, the Chippewas' unit ranked first in the MAC for opponent rushing yards per game and topped the conference in sacks with 35. Under Banks' guidance, the 2009 Central Michigan defense contributed to one of the program's most successful seasons, helping the team achieve a 12-2 overall record, including an undefeated 8-0 mark in MAC play and a victory in the MAC Championship Game against . This performance earned the Chippewas a berth in the 2010 GMAC Bowl, where they defeated 44-41 in double overtime to cap the postseason.

University of Cincinnati

Tim Banks served as co-defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach at the from 2010 to 2011, where he played a key role in implementing an aggressive defensive scheme that emphasized forcing turnovers and disrupting opposing offenses. Under his and co-defensive coordinator ' guidance, the Bearcats' defense markedly improved its opportunistic play, rising from 14 forced turnovers in 2010 to a nation-leading 33 in 2011, which contributed to Cincinnati's 10-3 record and a No. 25 final ranking that season. This turnover surge not only boosted field position for the offense but also highlighted Banks' ability to adapt and elevate a unit transitioning into the competitive . In addition to the team's overall defensive resurgence, Banks directly coached the secondary, developing standout players who earned conference recognition. Notably, he mentored safety Drew Frey, who earned first-team All-Big East honors in 2011 after recording 71 tackles, three interceptions, and a forced fumble, becoming a cornerstone of the turnover-forcing defense. Frey's performance exemplified the technical coaching and coverage schemes Banks brought from his prior experience, emphasizing ball skills and physicality in the defensive backfield. Banks' contributions during the 2011 season garnered national attention, culminating in his nomination for the Award, which recognizes the top assistant coach in . This honor underscored his impact on Cincinnati's defensive elevation, as the unit ranked ninth nationally in scoring defense (17.5 points per game) and helped secure a berth in the . His tenure at Cincinnati solidified his reputation as an innovative coordinator capable of building high-impact defenses in .

University of Illinois

Tim Banks served as co-defensive coordinator and secondary coach at the from 2012 to 2015. In this role, he contributed to the development of the Fighting Illini secondary, emphasizing coverage techniques and pass defense strategies that built on his prior experience at , where his unit forced 33 turnovers in 2011 to rank ninth nationally in turnover margin. During his tenure, Illinois' defense showed progressive improvement in containing aerial attacks, particularly in the . In , Banks' final season with the Illini, the defense achieved notable success in pass defense, ranking 15th nationally in passing yards allowed at 184.4 yards per game and 21st in passing efficiency defense with a 112.24 opponent . These rankings underscored the secondary's effectiveness in limiting big plays through the air, as allowed just 11 passes while intercepting 12 over the season. Banks' coaching helped players like safety earn All-Big Ten honors, contributing to a defense that held opponents to under 200 passing yards in seven of 12 games. His efforts in scheme implementation focused on man and zone coverages tailored to the secondary's personnel, fostering a unit that ranked among the conference's better pass defenses that year.

Penn State University

Tim Banks served as co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach at Penn State University from 2016 to 2020, where he contributed to a defense that consistently ranked among the nation's elite units in multiple categories. Under his guidance, the Nittany Lions' secondary developed into a strength, emphasizing aggressive play and turnover creation while mentoring several players to professional success. In 2017, Banks coached senior safety Marcus Allen to All-Big Ten first-team honors by the conference coaches, as Allen recorded 65 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and two interceptions during the regular season. The Penn State defense, bolstered by Banks' schemes, allowed an average of 17.8 points per game, ranking eighth nationally in scoring defense and supporting the team's Big Ten Championship appearance. The 2018 season highlighted Banks' impact on the secondary's ball skills, as Penn State's defense recorded 13 interceptions—tied for 15th in the FBS—and held opponents to a 53.6% passing completion rate, ranking 12th nationally. Banks developed safeties Troy Apke, who led the team with four interceptions, and Garrett Taylor, who added three interceptions and 71 tackles, both earning starts in pivotal games. That year, Apke and Allen were selected in the 2018 NFL Draft, with Apke going in the fourth round to the Washington Redskins and Allen in the fifth round to the Pittsburgh Steelers. By 2019, Banks continued fostering depth at , coaching junior Lamont Wade to All-Big Ten honorable mention recognition from both coaches and media after Wade tallied 42 tackles, two interceptions, and five pass breakups. The excelled in generating disruptions, leading the nation with 22 forced fumbles while ranking fifth in rushing (95.0 yards per game allowed) and eighth in scoring (16.0 points per game). Nick Scott, another Banks protégé, was drafted by the in the seventh round of the following a senior season with three interceptions and 65 tackles. Banks' tenure at Penn State built on his prior experience developing secondaries at , where he honed techniques for pass coverage and run support that translated to Big Ten contention. Over his five seasons, four of his safeties—Apke, Allen, Scott, and —earned roster spots, underscoring his player development prowess.

University of Tennessee

Tim Banks was hired as the and safeties coach for the on February 15, 2021, bringing his experience from Penn State where he had served in a co- role while coaching safeties. Under Banks' leadership, Tennessee's has adopted an aggressive, disruptive emphasizing attacking schemes to quarterbacks and limit explosive plays, establishing the unit as one of the 's most formidable since his arrival. This approach transformed the Volunteers' into a top-tier group, particularly evident in the 2024 season when it posted the best statistical performance since the 1998 national championship team, ranking No. 3 nationally in total through the early part of the year with elite rankings in yards allowed per game and scoring . In contrast, the 2025 season has presented significant challenges for Banks' defense, marked by tackling deficiencies, with the team leading the in missed tackles at 98 through midseason (averaging 12.3 per game), alongside poor performance on third downs and in the . The unit has also struggled with an inconsistent and run defense, contributing to entering the late season ranked No. 21 overall amid these inconsistencies, including a secondary allowing over 250 passing yards per game on average. Despite these hurdles, Banks has emphasized adjustments in practice to address inefficiencies, particularly against opponents.

Awards and honors

As a player

Tim Banks played as a for the , where he was a four-year letterwinner from 1991 to 1994. During his junior year in 1993, Banks led the team in tackles with 105 stops. He earned recognition as a two-time All-MAC second team selection in 1993 and 1994. As a senior, Banks served as co-captain of Central Michigan's 1994 Championship team.

As a coach

During his time as co-defensive coordinator at the , Tim Banks was nominated for the 2011 Award, which recognizes the nation's top assistant coach. As defensive coordinator at the , Banks was nominated for the 2021 . He advanced to finalist status for the 2024 Award, honoring the best assistant coach in . This recognition came in the wake of his unit's strong performance during the 2024 season at . As a finalist, Banks participated in the 2025 Broyles Award dinner in . In July 2025, Banks was ranked No. 9 nationally among defensive coordinators (reported by ).

Personal life

Family

Tim Banks has been married to since 1994. The couple resides in . There are no publicly available details regarding children.

Residence and interests

Tim Banks and his wife, Robin, have resided in , since 2021, when he joined the as defensive coordinator. As a native, he maintains ties to the city's sports heritage, though specific hobbies beyond his professional commitments are not publicly detailed in available sources.

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