Tennessee coach makes list for Broyles Award, given to top assistant in college football
Tennessee defensive coordinator Tim Banks is one of eight SEC coaches named as nominees for the Broyles Award, given annually to the best assistant coach in college football.
Banks has transformed the Vols into an attacking defense despite losing key players to the transfer portal in the offseason. They rank 10th in FBS and second in the SEC in tackles-for-loss with 76, a big jump from last year's total of 55 under defensive-minded head coach Jeremy Pruitt.
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More importantly, Banks' defense has been an effective complement to head coach Josh Heupel's up-tempo, high-scoring offense. And it's helped UT (5-5) get one win away from bowl eligibility with games against South Alabama and Vanderbilt remaining.
Before arriving at UT, Banks coached at Bowling Green (1996, 1999-2000), Ferris State (1997-98), Memphis (2001-02), Maryland (2003-06), Central Michigan (2007-09), Cincinnati (2010-11), Illinois (2012-15) and Penn State (2016-20).
Banks is among 58 nominees for the Broyles Award, which will be given on Dec. 6
The other SEC assistants on the list are Alabama defensive coordinator Pete Golding, Arkansas offensive line coach Cody Kennedy, Mississippi State defensive coordinator Zach Arnett, Ole Miss offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby, Texas A&M defensive coordinator Mike Elko, Georgia defensive coordinator Dan Lanning and South Carolina defensive coordinator Clayton White.
Reach Adam Sparks at adam.sparks@knoxnews.com and on Twitter @AdamSparks.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Vols defensive coordinator among top eight assistant's in college football
