Defensive coordinator Tim Banks coaches players during a drill during Tennessee Football’s first fall practice, Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2023.

After an 8-4 finish in 2025, Tennessee coach Josh Heupel is making a major staff change.

The Volunteers are parting ways with defensive coordinator Tim Banks, as was first reported by CBS Sports' Matt Zenitz. Banks has been the Vols' defensive coordinator since Heupel was hired in 2021, and he was a finalist for the Broyles Award last season as one of the top assistants in college football.

While Tennessee's defense was among the SEC's best units a year ago, it slipped significantly in 2025. The Volunteers ranked 87th in the FBS in total defense and 91st in scoring defense, sitting among the bottom three in the league in both categories.

Banks has had several defensive coordinator stops, including stints at Central Michigan (his alma mater), Cincinnati and Illinois. He was also the co-defensive coordinator at Penn State for five years under James Franklin before Tennessee hired him.

Now, after a disappointing campaign that followed a run to the CFP, Heupel is searching for a new coordinator to run his defense.

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This article originally appeared on College Sports Wire: Tennessee moving on from DC Tim Banks after disappointing season

Reporting by Tyler Nettuno, College Sports Wire / College Sports Wire

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