Tennessee has hired Jim Knowles from Penn State as the team's defensive coordinator, receiving a three-year contract that will pay him an average of $2.2 million annually.

In a statement, Vols coach Josh Heupel said Knowles was his "top priority from the start of this process." Knowles spent the 2025 season at Penn State after three years with Ohio State , where he helped the Buckeyes to a national title in 2024. Ohio State began its CFP run last year with a 42-17 win against Heupel's Tennessee team at Ohio Stadium.

Earlier this week, Tennessee fired defensive coordinator Tim Banks, a 2024 finalist for the Broyles Award, which goes to the nation's top assistant. Banks is set to become co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach at Auburn , a source told ESPN, confirming an earlier

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