Tennessee DC Job 'An Opportunity I Couldn't Pass Up' For Tim Banks

Tim Banks has held a coordinator title for the last 14 years. Something Josh Heupel noted while introducing his defensive staff earlier this week.

"Coach (Tim) Banks was important to me on the defensive side of the ball. I've got somebody that had a clear vision and had some experience in what they were doing on the defensive side of the football," Heupel said. "I believe that our philosophies pair together extremely well. A guy that's had a coordinator title during the last 14 years of his coaching career."

However, Banks's decision to leave Penn State and James Franklin's program came down to his belief in Heupel and the opportunity Tennessee presented him with.

"It's just like with any other organization, it always starts at the top with Coach Heupel," Banks told local reporters on Monday. "Obviously, the success he's had at UCF and as an offensive coordinator, I think speaks for itself. Having a chance to talk to some of my guys that have a relationship with him and everything I heard about him being a great man, obviously a great coach, but a great man was something that intrigued me."

"When you start to talk about Tennessee and the success they've had – a lot of programs are talking about what they want to do and the reality of it is, Tennessee has done it," Banks continued. "Obviously, we know there's work to be done to get back to where we want to go but at the end of the day, having a chance to work with great people and having a chance to do it together was just an opportunity I feel that I couldn't pass up on."

Banks has only been in Knoxville a short time, but he has been impressed with what he has seen so far.

"It's just a great place. Obviously, to me the thing I am enjoying so far is it still has that small college town feel, but it has some city amenities," he said. "I think we'll be able to attract some of the best student-athletes around the country because whether we are recruiting in a small town or if you're going to get a city kid, I don't think it'll matter. I think because Knoxville has a bit for everyone and when you start to combine it with playing in a conference like the SEC and having a chance to get a great education here, I just feel like we have a product that we'll be able to sell and sell around the country. So, it's been awesome, and I'm really enjoying the town the feel, but obviously, the city amenities is something that I think will bode well for the future for all the young men we are looking for."

Banks brings 25-years of experience as an assistant coach to Knoxville.

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