Tennessee has hired Jim Knowles as its next defensive coordinator following the firing of Tim Banks earlier this week, the university announced Thursday . The move signals a major effort by coach Josh Heupel to re-establish his team's defensive identity after a costly drop-off in performance in 2025.

Banks, who was dismissed Monday after five seasons in Knoxville, saw his defense collapse this fall. Once a unit that helped carry Tennessee into the College Football Playoff just a season ago, the Volunteers surrendered 28.8 points per game and allowed 395.5 yards on average -- both third-worst in the SEC.

Enter Knowles, who after spending 2025 at Penn State , was not retained by incoming coach Matt Campbell and found a landing spot in Knoxville.

Knowles' coaching résumé is among

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