Football
Former Illinois Football DC Tim Banks Fired at Tennessee
After a rough defensive season, the Illini’s Bowl game opponent has made a change amongst their staff.
Breaking News: Several outlets, including On3, are reporting that the Tennessee Volunteers have fired defensive coordinator — and former Illinois Football staffer — Tim Banks, just 22 days before their Music City Bowl matchup with the Fighting Illini in Nashville.
Banks spent four seasons in Champaign from 2012 to 2015, serving three years under Tim Beckman before finishing his final season in Central Illinois on Bill Cubit’s interim staff (2014–15). Those were undeniably rough years for Illinois Football, which went 17–49 during that stretch, with a lone “Zaxby’s Heart of Dallas Bowl” appearance (and loss to LA Tech) in 2014. That said, Banks and the Illini defense were intermittently competitive during an otherwise brutal era, with NFL players like V’Angelo Bentley, Jihad Ward, Clayton Fejedelem, and more.
After being let go in 2015 amid the transition into the Lovie Smith era, Banks made the move to College Park, PA, to join James Franklin’s staff at Penn State. After spending five seasons with the Nittany Lions as co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach, the former Illinois Football DC later arrived at Tennessee in 2021 as Josh Heupel’s defensive coordinator.
It’s certainly a notable move for the Volunteers. They just finished the regular season 8–4 after a 45–24 loss to Diego Pavia and Vanderbilt in Knoxville. Banks’ defense allowed an average of 28.8 points per game (92nd nationally) and 395.5 total yards this season.
BREAKING: Tennessee has fired defensive coordinator Tim Banks, @Volquest_On3 reports
https://t.co/g9StoFGvCT pic.twitter.com/BON2nrqrCb
— On3 (@On3sports) December 8, 2025
What this means for Illinois?
The story that follows bowl games is who plays and who does not. Tennessee is not going to shift its defensive style and on-field personnel drastically this month, however, perhaps Banks’ fire injects some life into the defense.
Bret Bielema met with the media after the announcement of the bowl game and shared that he does not foresee any major changes until after the bowl game. He teased that starting QB Luke Altmyer will likely participate in the Illini’s bowl game festivities. Bielema shared that Altmyer’s mother recently told him that “Half of Mississippi” will be at the Bowl game in Nashville.
#illini Bret Bielema said Luke Altmyer’s mom texted him
“Half of Mississippi” will be at the Music City bowl vs Tennessee pic.twitter.com/6YzOOQrJjc
— Carson Gourdie (@GourdieReport) December 7, 2025
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