By Missy Grimes
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — For the second time in three seasons, a member of the Tennessee coaching staff is a finalist for college football’s top assistant coach honor. Fourth-year defensive coordinator Tim Banks was one of five finalists for the 2024 Broyles Award, the Frank and Barbara Broyles Foundation announced on Wednesday.
Banks joins Arizona State defensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo, Indiana defensive coordinator Bryant Haines, Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden and Texas defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski on the list of five.
Banks is the second coordinator under Josh Heupel to be a finalist for the prestigious accolade and the third in the history of the program. Offensive coordinator and current USF head coach Alex Golesh was a finalist in 2022, and offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe won the award in 1998. Banks is the first Tennessee defensive coordinator to be a finalist.
Banks is in his fourth season with the program and his 18th as an FBS defensive coordinator. He has overseen and built a Tennessee unit that has become one of the best in the nation. His defense served as a catalyst for a UT team that won 10 regular season games for the second time in three years and punched its first ticket to the College Football Playoff.
The Vols held 10 of their 12 opponents under 20 points, and the 12th and final regular season opponent went over 20 with a kickoff return for a touchdown. Tennessee held eight of its nine Power Four opponents under their season scoring average. Only Georgia scored more than it averaged, and it was only by +0.4 in its home stadium.
The Vols ranked in the FBS top 20 in 11 different categories, including fourth-down conversions (1st – 28.6), scoring defense (4th – 13.9), yards per play allowed (4th – 4.33), total defense (5th – 278.3), third-down conversions (5th – 29.5), tackles for loss (6th – 7.8). rushing defense (8th – 99.6), team passing efficiency defense (9th – 110.51), red zone defense (11th – 73.5), first downs allowed (16th – 201) and passing defense (17th – 178.7).
The winner of the 2024 Broyles Award will be announced on Feb. 13, 2025, in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
COURTESY TENNESSEE ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS
