Penn State Names Tim Banks Co-Defensive Coordinator and Safeties Coach

Following the departure of Bob Shoop to Tennessee and the promotion of Brent Pry to defensive coordinator, the Nittany Lions were left one coach short on the defensive staff. That opening has now been filled by Tim Banks. Banks' most recent stop in a 20-year coaching career was with Illinois, where he spent the past four seasons as defensive coordinator and secondary coach.

This will not be the first time Banks has worked with James Franklin. The two spent time together at Maryland during the 2003 and 2004 seasons. Following his time with the Terrapins, Banks went on to Central Michigan as the Chippewas defensive coordinator from 2007 to 2009, before heading to Cincinnati to serve as the Bearcats co-defensive coordinator and secondary coach.

Nearly everywhere he's been, Banks has brought improvements to the defenses he has coached. In 2015, Illinois ranked inside the top-21 in the country in both passing yards allowed (184.4) and team passing efficiency (112.24).

The Detroit native should help the Lions recruiting efforts in Michigan, where Charles Huff has been leading the way for the past two seasons. His experience both at Maryland, and Illinois, should help solidify the Nittany Lions' recruiting presence along the east coast, and increase the efforts in the midwest, especially in Chicago.

You can follow the newest Nittany Lion coach on Twitter @CoachTimBanks.

Welcome to Happy Valley, Coach Banks!