Tim Banks secures three-year contract extension with Tennessee, earning $2.15 million annually

Tennessee football defensive coordinator Tim Banks has secured a new three-year contract worth $2.15 million annually, making him one of the highest-paid coordinators in college football. This extension comes on the heels of the Vols' impressive defensive performance in the 2024 season, where they allowed an average of just 16.1 points per game, the lowest since 1998. Banks, a finalist for the Broyles Award, played a crucial role in leading the team to its first-ever College Football Playoff appearance. His new contract eliminates a previous bonus structure but maintains incentives for postseason achievements. The deal was finalized ahead of the expiration of his prior contract, which was set to end on January 31. Banks's defensive unit ranked seventh nationally in total defense, underlining his significant impact on the program's success.