National media outlet ranks the top 10 defensive coordinators in college football; Where Tennessee's Tim Banks ranks

On3's Andy Staples ranked the top 10 defensive coordinators in college football this week and Tennessee Vols defensive coordinator Tim Banks made his list.

Banks, who led the Vols to the No. 7 scoring defense in the nation last season, came in at No. 9 in Staples' rankings.

From On3: Though we tend to focus on head coach Josh Heupel’s offense, Banks’ unit was the bigger reason Tennessee made the CFP last season. The Volunteers finished No. 3 in the nation in stop rate, No. 4 in points per drive allowed and No. 5 in yards per play allowed. For Tennessee to match what it did in 2024 as a team, Banks’ group probably will have to be even better this season.

Tennessee's defense has steadily improved each year since Banks' arrival in Knoxville in early 2021.

The Vols lost a couple of key players from last year's standout defense -- specifically edge rusher James Pearce, defensive lineman Omarr Norman-Lott, and defensive lineman Omari Thomas -- but Tennessee still has plenty of talent on that side of the ball.

Banks, by the way, isn't worried about being better than last year's defense -- he's simply focusing on getting the most out of this group in 2025.

"We don’t necessarily talk a lot about what we did last year or where we need to go as a unit because it’s a different team," said Banks earlier this week. "There are obviously some things that you look at statistically where you can be better. You ask yourself, is it scheme, is it personnel? How can we be better as coaches? But to a man, those guys understand this is a new year. And I think because we have that starting fresh, starting over, adhering to the process and working step-by-step, day-by-day to get better. I think that’s always helped us, the way we’ve been able to grow."

Tennessee will open the season on August 30 in Atlanta against Syracuse.