Defensive Coordinator Report:Jim Knowles

Knoxville, TN- A Penn State to Tennessee arc continues in 2026 for the Vols. On December 8, 2025, the University of Tennessee Athletics announced that it had parted ways with defensive coordinator Tim Banks. 

The decision comes after five seasons under Josh Heupel. Banks had a  tenure that included remarkable highs, but ultimately ended amid a defensive regression for the 2025 season amid injuries, inconsistency, and fundamental breakdowns that ultimately forced Josh Heupel’s hand.

In the short term, linebackers coach William Inge was named interim defensive coordinator for the upcoming Liberty Music City Bowl vs. Illinois on December, 29th.

When Banks was hired in February 2021 from the Penn State Nittany Lions, expectations were high. Over the next several seasons he helped shape a defense that, at its peak, restored national relevance to Tennessee’s defensive identity. 

Tim Banks’s departure from Tennessee reflects the brutal realities of high-stakes college football: success is fleeting, and even recent excellence may not protect against a single bad season.

Notes On Banks

• In 2024, the Volunteers’ defense under Banks ranked among the best in the nation. Tennessee allowed just 13.9 points per game. That was  good enough for 4th nationally in scoring defense.

  
  

• Banks was a finalist for the Broyles Award (given to the top assistant coach in college football) in 2024, underlining national respect for his work. 

Key Issues:

• The team ranked near the bottom nationally in 2025 around 92nd in scoring defense (giving up 28.8 points per game) and 88th in total defense (about 395.5 yards allowed per game).

  
  

• The secondary and defensive line were hit by injuries and departures. Key contributors such as the starting cornerbacks and defensive tackles missed time, undermining continuity and depth.

  
  

• In games against ranked opponents this season, the defense allowed roughly 39.75 points per game, an unsustainable trend at the Power 5 level.

  
  

• Visable signs with Mistakes in tackling, missed assignments, and poor communication plagued the defense in 2025.

Tennessee’s Head coach concluded that a “reset” was necessary. Josh Heupel said the decision was difficult but essential to “uphold the standard that Tennessee has historically been known for.” 

Financial/Contractual Implications

Banks had signed a multi-year extension earlier this year, locking him in through 2028.  However, the firing triggers a contractual buyout. According to sources, Tennessee owes Banks approximately $4.3 million for parting ways before the contract’s expiration. 

A New Contract In Place For 2026 

Jim Knowles has finalized a move from Penn State to Tennessee. Knowles is widely recognized as one of the most innovative and effective defensive coordinators in modern college football. Tennessee fans will remember not being a fan of  his craft in round 1 of the 2024 CFB playoff vs Ohio State. 

His success is driven by a data-driven approach, versatile and adaptable schemes, strong player development, and a track record of elevating defensive performance across multiple programs. 

Knowles consistently transforms average units into top-tier defenses with the emphasis on situational excellence.

Background and Coaching Profile

Jim Knowles has decades of coaching experience, including roles as defensive coordinator at Duke, Oklahoma State, and Ohio State. Across these programs, he has established his style. His defenses often become identity-defining strengths for the team.

Knowles is known for implementing multiple, hybrid defensive fronts that adapt to offensive trends. His system often features. His style creates unpredictability and limits opposing offenses’ ability to pre-identify defensive intentions.

Key Parts To A Knowles Defense Include:

• Hybrid “Leo” or “Jack” positions that blur the line between linebacker and defensive end

  
  

• Disguised fronts to confuse blocking assignments

  
  

• Rotating pressure packages that force offenses into protection errors

  
  

A Knowles defense also has a sophisticated coverage structure that blends pattern-matching concepts, quarters coverage, and disguised safety rotations to reduce explosive plays and force quarterbacks into late decisions that can create turnovers.

Knowles is effective at generating pressure through simulated pressures and alignments that present blitz looks without sacrificing coverage integrity. This allows his defenses to put emphasis on pressure Without over-blitzing

Across his tenures Defenses have shown measurable year-over-year improvements in total defense, scoring defense, and explosive plays allowed. Units he inherits often rise from middle-tier or bottom-tier rankings to top-15 or top-10 nationally.

A highlight for him was In 2023, Knowles' second season in Columbus. The defense  saw the Buckeyes rank first nationally in pass defense (145.9), second in scoring defense (11.2), third in total defense (265.4) and fifth in third down defense (28.6).

"Hiring Jim Knowles was our top priority from the start of this process," Heupel said.

"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. His defenses are always physical, well prepared and can adapt quickly in-game against today's complex offenses. He's a competitor, a winner and someone who will get the most out of our players in practice and on gameday. We are thrilled to welcome Jim to Rocky Top as he helps us chase championships."

Knowles Coaching Resume:

1988: Cornell, Defensive Line

1989-94: Cornell, Running Backs

1995-96: Cornell, Linebackers

1997-2000: Western Michigan, Defensive Line

2001-02: Western Michigan, Defensive Coordinator

2003: Ole Miss, Linebackers

2004-09: Cornell, Head Coach

2010: Duke, Safeties

2011-17: Duke, Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers

2018-21: Oklahoma State, Defensive Coordinator

2022-23: Ohio State, Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers

2024: Ohio State, Defensive Coordinator

2025: Penn State, Defensive Coordinator

Knowles is set to arrive to Knoxville soon. Players were informed of his hiring today at team meeting. TPL will carry his first press conference with Tennessee Football at that time. Join the conversation with us. 

📸: McCroskey Creative