247Sports Ignores Tim Banks, but the Tennessee Vols Defense is Thriving Anyway
National Media Ignores Tim Banks in Latest Rankings of Top-Paid Defensive Coordinators
The Tennessee Volunteers continue to face a consistent trend of under appreciation from the national media, and their defensive coordinator, Tim Banks, is once again left out of the conversation.
This time, 247Sports has drawn the ire of Vols fans. In a recent article, the outlet ranked the highest-paid defensive coordinators in college football, following Penn State’s hiring of Jim Knowles from Ohio State. Knowles will earn a reported $3.1 million annually in his new role, and 247Sports compiled a list of the top 10 defensive coordinators based on their salaries, ranging from $3.1 million to $1.9 million.
However, there was one glaring omission in the list: Tim Banks, who just signed a contract extension with Tennessee last week, before Knowles’ deal was finalized. Banks’ new deal, which will pay him $2.15 million per year, should have placed him at number five on the list. Yet, his name was conspicuously missing.
This oversight is even more perplexing when you consider Banks’ recent accomplishments. Under his leadership, the Tennessee defense ranked seventh in the nation for scoring defense—an outstanding achievement.
How a defensive coordinator who’s been so instrumental in his team’s success is overlooked by a major outlet like 247Sports is a mystery.
Despite this disregard from the media, it seems Banks and his staff are unfazed. The Vols have long thrived as an “under-the-radar” team, with a coaching staff that quietly but tirelessly works to improve. In fact, Tennessee’s rise to prominence under Banks has been characterized by a commitment to grinding away without seeking the spotlight.
While the national media might choose to overlook Tim Banks’ success, those within the program and the Vols’ loyal fanbase certainly recognize the vital role he plays in their continued success. It’s clear that, for Banks and his team, the lack of recognition only fuels their determination to prove doubters wrong.
Ultimately, while the national media may have forgotten about Tim Banks, it’s safe to say that the Tennessee Vols and their defensive coordinator have earned the respect they deserve—and will continue to work relentlessly to earn even more.
