Report: Co-DC Tim Banks To Be Named New Tennessee Defensive Coordinator

Despite it being halfway through February, the coaching carousel never stops as Penn State’s co-DC and safeties coach Tim Banks is leaving to become the defensive coordinator of Tennessee, according to a report from Pete Thamel.

Banks has been at Penn State since the 2016 season, serving as safeties coach and the co-DC during that time. While safety play at Penn State has always been much maligned, Banks groups have found some success, with Malik Golden, Nick Scott, Troy Apke, and Marcus Allen all having played or (in the case of the latter three) playing in the NFL.

Banks is also known as a strong recruiter, with that nevermore being the case this past recruiting cycle when he landed Michigan standouts like Kalen King, Kobe King, Jamari Buddin, and Jaylen Reed.

The move for Banks is an obvious one: with Brent Pry seemingly firmly entrenched in his defensive coordinator role, Banks was going to have to go elsewhere if he wanted the “head” job on the defensive side of the ball. With Tennessee, he now has that opportunity.

We’ll see where Penn State goes in regards to replacing Banks. It’s a big hire, as the coach will need to be a strong recruiter, but with the co-DC title, also bring along some X’s-and-O’s chops.