KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee coach Josh Heupel has hired Jim Knowles as the Volunteers’ new defensive coordinator.

Heupel moved quickly after firing coordinator Tim Banks on Monday, and the Volunteers coach said Thursday that hiring Knowles was a priority from the start.

“Jim has a proven track record of developing elite defenses that play with an edge, and we got to see that first-hand during the 2024 College Football Playoff,” Heupel said of the Vols' first-round loss to Ohio State a year ago.

Knowles has coached 38 years in college football with 18 as a defensive coordinator. He spent this season at Penn State and was at Ohio State between 2022 and 2024, helping the Buckeyes win the 2024 national championship.

“I am excited for this opportunity to work with Coach Heupel

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