For the fire Banks crowd.

[jason3713]

Do you think he forgot how to coach in one year? Last year half here were afraid he would leave for a head coaching job.

It has a lot more to do with the players on the field than many want to admit.

The Tennessee Vols defense in 2024 was outstanding, finishing sixth nationally in total defense and seventh in scoring defense, allowing just 16.1 points per game. The unit was characterized by depth on the defensive line and at linebacker, improved play from an overhauled secondary, and strong performance in key metrics like third-down defense and tackles for loss.

Key takeaways

• Overall performance:
  The defense was one of the best in the nation, holding 10 of 13 opponents to fewer than 20 points.
  
  
• Key rankings:
  • 6th in total defense
  • 7th in scoring defense
  • 3rd in third-down defense
  • 5th in yards per play
  • 10th in run defense and tackles for loss

 

[Oldvoldad]

Do you think he forgot how to coach in one year? Last year half here were afraid he would leave for a head coaching job.

It has a lot more to do with the players on the field than many want to admit.

The Tennessee Vols defense in 2024 was outstanding, finishing sixth nationally in total defense and seventh in scoring defense, allowing just 16.1 points per game. The unit was characterized by depth on the defensive line and at linebacker, improved play from an overhauled secondary, and strong performance in key metrics like third-down defense and tackles for loss.

Key takeaways

• Overall performance:
  The defense was one of the best in the nation, holding 10 of 13 opponents to fewer than 20 points.
  
  
• Key rankings:
  • 6th in total defense
  • 7th in scoring defense
  • 3rd in third-down defense
  • 5th in yards per play
  • 10th in run defense and tackles for loss

Pretty sure 98% of fans don't give a rats *** about last year.

And I am in the 98%.

 

[RiseToTheTop]

Imagine defending Tim Banks in yr 5.

 

[SmokeyDaBear]

Yeah I guess we should be happy with having a good defense every 3-4 years and less than average the rest of the time….id keep banks if you dump Martinez. Back end ain’t backing.

I will recognize that we lost a lot of players back there to the portal then we lost two of our best DBs beginning season. Plus we haven’t really replaced the big boys in the middle on the line. However, there are teams with a lot less talent playing ace defense because of coaching and scheme.

 

[csprig9]

Yep
I’m over the banks experiment

 

[VOLINVONORE]

Pretty sure 98% of fans don't give a rats *** about last year.

And I am in the 98%.

But they should. some just want to post without thinking. But, sometime some people don't think.

 

[EZE]

Pretty sure 98% of fans don't give a rats *** about last [game].

And I am in the 98%.

FYP.

And therein lies the problem with the vast majority of sports fans. Knee jerk reactions never lead to good decisions.

If we followed your lead, we’d replace entire coaching staffs multiple times each season.

 

[OrangeTsar]

Yes, is short on personnel.

Which doesn’t begin to explain why the personnel he DOES have haven’t been taught basic skills like how to tackle.

 

[Oldvoldad]

FYP.

And therein lies the problem with the vast majority of sports fans. Knee jerk reactions never lead to good decisions.

If we followed your lead, we’d replace entire coaching staffs multiple times each season.

My lead? Look at today's headlines. Coaching staffs getting fired as we speak. Leashes are a lot shorter now with all the money involved.

 

[DaddyChad]

Scheme? I don’t mind Banks. The tackling though and just the terrible safety play. He’s had one good year on defense honestly. I’m not calling for his head but to roll into this year without better backups at safety and to have this kind of piss poor tackling isn’t acceptable.

I know people hate the scheme but how much better would this system work if we actually tackled? Take whatever boo is being paid and get an actual safety in the portal. Lber looks like we’ll be okay with the youth there.

 

[DaddyChad]

I’m just going to say you won’t see a year with this many elite defensive names available much. Now the openings are many as well, so maybe that offsets the availability.

 

[Peradox1K]

Scheme? I don’t mind Banks. The tackling though and just the terrible safety play. He’s had one good year on defense honestly. I’m not calling for his head but to roll into this year without better backups at safety and to have this kind of piss poor tackling isn’t acceptable.

I know people hate the scheme but how much better would this system work if we actually tackled? Take whatever boo is being paid and get an actual safety in the portal. Lber looks like we’ll be okay with the youth there.

I agree. I probably could record more tackles then them dang safeties

 

[volbound1700]

Even with last year, it felt like it was more about playing against bad offenses than good defense. We had a good defensive unit but I don't think it was as good as stats make it look.

The defense looked like trash against the two meaningful offenses it played: Ohio State and Georgia.

I am still mixed on whether to fire Banks or not but something really needs to be done to change up our defensive philosophy.

 

[BigBadVol]

I don’t really know who is responsible for the defensive decline but I’m not sure it’s all on Banks. CWM has never been good at developing players. He gets recognition for being a good recruiter but a year down the road everyone says we don’t have SEC caliber db’s. Who is evaluating the players? Do they lack talent or are they not being developed? We lose two players to injury and all of sudden it’s a shat show in our secondary. The fall off is extreme. Also, the db’s are rarely in position to make a play. Frustrating to watch every game. It’s 2nd down and 21 and they pick up 12 yards. It’s 3rd down and 9 and they pick up 12 for a first down. It happens over and over.

 

[obxvol]

I’m not sure I’m in the fire him crowd, but there is definitely something going on. You can tell by the body movement of the players that they’re just not in it. I’ve never seen so many missed tackles, failure to wrap up, bouncing off people thinking that’s gonna be enough to get them on the ground. There’s some fundamental errors happening on defense, and that falls directly on the coaches.

 

[sjt18]

Do you think he forgot how to coach in one year? Last year half here were afraid he would leave for a head coaching job.

No. I haven't been particularly impressed since he was hired. He had incredible talent last year. Anyone can coach that.

And I wasn't afraid he would leave for an HC job. I was hoping he would.

It has a lot more to do with the players on the field than many want to admit.

No. That's exactly what you are trying to avoid. He has players. He had more good players last year but we literally thought the D would carry the team this year BECAUSE of the talent. Instead it is one of the worst units in the SEC and can't even stop an anemic UK offense.

He has more talent than Vandy who fields a solid D. There are teams all over the place with no NFL prospects on them that can play solid zone defense and not constantly blow assignments or be out of position. There are DCs with a lot less talent who can match wits with good OCs in play calling. In the past I've given him credit for developing players but I'm not even sure that holds any more. Guys don't appear to be getting better. Carter who is one of the most talented players in the country makes great individual plays... and then has plays when he looks like he's never played before.

The Vols need a D staff that matches the O staff in quality. Except for last year with the "magnificent" Nico... Heupel has made a good O out of whatever he had since arriving.

The Tennessee Vols defense in 2024 was outstanding, finishing sixth nationally in total defense and seventh in scoring defense, allowing just 16.1 points per game. The unit was characterized by depth on the defensive line and at linebacker, improved play from an overhauled secondary, and strong performance in key metrics like third-down defense and tackles for loss.

Key takeaways

• Overall performance:
  The defense was one of the best in the nation, holding 10 of 13 opponents to fewer than 20 points.
  
  
• Key rankings:
  • 6th in total defense
  • 7th in scoring defense
  • 3rd in third-down defense
  • 5th in yards per play
  • 10th in run defense and tackles for loss

Yes. They were loaded with talent and have a GREAT DL coach. The quality of a coach is shown when they don't have overwhelming talent and 3 deep everywhere.

 

[DaddyChad]

I don’t really know who is responsible for the defensive decline but I’m not sure it’s all on Banks. CWM has never been good at developing players. He gets recognition for being a good recruiter but a year down the road everyone says we don’t have SEC caliber db’s. Who is evaluating the players? Do they lack talent or are they not being developed? We lose two players to injury and all of sudden it’s a shat show in our secondary. The fall off is extreme. Also, the db’s are rarely in position to make a play. Frustrating to watch every game. It’s 2nd down and 21 and they pick up 12 yards. It’s 3rd down and 9 and they pick up 12 for a first down. It happens over and over.

Brother it’s on Banks. He coaches the safeties. There’s a reason you’re about to see multiple corners taken in the first two rounds in this draft. Martinez development isn’t the issue here.

 

[volbound1700]

No. I haven't been particularly impressed since he was hired. He had incredible talent last year. Anyone can coach that.

And I wasn't afraid he would leave for an HC job. I was hoping he would.

No. That's exactly what you are trying to avoid. He has players. He had more good players last year but we literally thought the D would carry the team this year BECAUSE of the talent. Instead it is one of the worst units in the SEC and can't even stop an anemic UK offense.

He has more talent than Vandy who fields a solid D. There are teams all over the place with no NFL prospects on them that can play solid zone defense and not constantly blow assignments or be out of position. There are DCs with a lot less talent who can match wits with good OCs in play calling. In the past I've given him credit for developing players but I'm not even sure that holds any more. Guys don't appear to be getting better. Carter who is one of the most talented players in the country makes great individual plays... and then has plays when he looks like he's never played before.

The Vols need a D staff that matches the O staff in quality. Except for last year with the "magnificent" Nico... Heupel has made a good O out of whatever he had since arriving.

Yes. They were loaded with talent and have a GREAT DL coach. The quality of a coach is shown when they don't have overwhelming talent and 3 deep everywhere.

I think schemes matter more than talent. UK and Vandy have often had some of the top tier defenses in the SEC with poor talent prospects.

Now we are a very "young" defense and so is Georgia. Both Georgia and Tennessee are really struggling on defense as a result. I think we would be a better unit with Gibson and McCoy, that being said, it is up to the coaches to have backup players ready to at least be serviceable for when the stars go down. We didn't do that. Depth is what separates teams like Alabama and Georgia from teams like Tennessee, Vandy, South Carolina, etc.

 

[Jimmyandjoes]

This team goes as the Dline goes. Zero sacks against Bama,1 sack against Kentucky.
CRG group has not performed well rushing the passer in the last 2 games and has not done well stopping the run all year. Sure they get sacks on passing plays but they do not flow to the ball on the run and make plays down the line like last year. They are the key to the back end. No one can cover for 5 seconds and against Kentucky and Alabama they looked anemic and over matched.
It's Banks defense but they are other factors than just "fahr Banks".
Go watch film. Sometimes is way worse than you think, sometimes it's way better.
Many times,it's 1 guy busting coverage that breaks the dam

 

[VFL-82-JP]

Do you think he forgot how to coach in one year? Last year half here were afraid he would leave for a head coaching job.

It has a lot more to do with the players on the field than many want to admit.

The Tennessee Vols defense in 2024 was outstanding, finishing sixth nationally in total defense and seventh in scoring defense, allowing just 16.1 points per game. The unit was characterized by depth on the defensive line and at linebacker, improved play from an overhauled secondary, and strong performance in key metrics like third-down defense and tackles for loss.

Key takeaways

• Overall performance:
  The defense was one of the best in the nation, holding 10 of 13 opponents to fewer than 20 points.
  
  
• Key rankings:
  • 6th in total defense
  • 7th in scoring defense
  • 3rd in third-down defense
  • 5th in yards per play
  • 10th in run defense and tackles for loss

I appreciate the sentiment. And the effort.

But you're bringing logic to a discussion with a crowd who don't use logic. They are driven purely by emotion. Logic rolls off their brains like water off a duck's back.

Thank goodness Donde Plowman, Dan White, and Josh Heupel are intelligent folk who do employ logic, and are fully capable of ignoring the emotion-driven element of our community.

Go Vols!

 

[Godfatha]

Defensive ranks for this year:
Passing defense 122nd
Rushing defense 54th
Total defense 99th
Third down conversions 70th
Fourth down conversions 121st
First downs against 119th
Scoring defense 112th
Red zone defense 123rd
Passing efficiency defense 110th
Team sacks 6th
Team tackles for loss 7th
Fumbles recovered 2nd
Defensive TDs 1st
Pass interceptions 66th

Pretty bad. Still highly ranked on sacks, defensive TDs, and fumbles recovered.

 

[Jackcrevol]

I was a Banks 'defender' of sorts. Was happy we re signed him. When you routinely see folks taking head scratching angles, safeties no where to be seen, PI after PI, DT getting pushed by Kentucky and Syracuse, and most importantly zero qb pressure in games like Sat bc can't get off blocks. Yes, you begin to question.

Yes, it is unequivocally the talent on field.

Truth is almost always in middle. Here's what I know as truth.

Bank's stock was sky high last year. He held out for a big contract.

Tennessee no longer has super seniors at DT and DB.

We whiffed on Spring and Winter port holes.

TN has one of highest recruiting budgets in CFB, inked 200 mil deal with Adidas, and has the best facilities, and access to staff.

Tim Banks coached and recruits safety position. This is his defense. He also hired the LB coach.

His most consistent recruiters are Rodney Garner and Levon Harbin.

So. What does that mean?

It means he held us up for most money he could get. Which, means he is thought of as one of the best defensive minds in game. So far, 3/5 years we have trotted out really pretty darn bad defenses.

We are currently 110th in defense in NCAA.

Now, while I don't think firing tim Banks is the answer. I do think sitting him down and having a clear, concise plan laid out aka Martinez in 2024, and Pope in 2025 makes all sense. We are seeing those results.

Not sure if it's apathy, bad luck, or bad decisions. At end of the day it doesn't matter. We are judged by results. Banks has shown he can field an elite defense. But when? Whn you ONLY have upper class future NFL players. That is a luxury. Sooner or later you will have attrition.

This isn't OSU or even Florixa where you can tell your future safety to kick rocks, to Miami. Or a starting LB to go to MSU.

Recruiting has to get better, and I mean landing those guys. LB coach gets it. CB and safeties coach have delusions of grandeur. Your projects tend to take too long meanwhile we have glaring needs.

DT is too small. End flashes but is inconsistent. So, make excuses. 110th is unacceptable. You have the facilities, and resources. Banks, I don't care if you don't want to recruit or too proud. Its your job. If you don't want too. Go to NFL. We the fans will pay your bus fare.

 

[Brave Volunteer]

Like it or not, attrition IS a huge factor with the problems in our defensive backfield!

McCoy - out!
Gibson- out!
Thomas - out!
Thomas - to Miami!
Hood - Banged up!

We have to stop pretending that doesnt affect our production. We have been forced to play a lot of freshman that simply werent ready to play. Some of which haven't even been on campus a full year! These guys are coaches, not magicians!

 

[Skooter]

I’ve been in this crowd since we brought bend but don’t break from the old slow sit back in 2 deep zone big 10. 2 years ago we got roasted in big games with similar stats Last year in 3 losses, “elite” Banks avg gave up:
70% completion rate
309 ypg passing
50% 3rd down conversions.
Issues hidden against lesser teams but one reliable thing the last few years is Big game banks is gonna let the opposing qb go off if they are decent qb while racking up stats against bad teams.
Who cares about “team defense ranking” when you allow 7ypp and those numbers when it counts.

 

[Unconditional Surrender]

Do you think he forgot how to coach in one year? Last year half here were afraid he would leave for a head coaching job.

It has a lot more to do with the players on the field than many want to admit.

The Tennessee Vols defense in 2024 was outstanding, finishing sixth nationally in total defense and seventh in scoring defense, allowing just 16.1 points per game. The unit was characterized by depth on the defensive line and at linebacker, improved play from an overhauled secondary, and strong performance in key metrics like third-down defense and tackles for loss.

Key takeaways

• Overall performance:
  The defense was one of the best in the nation, holding 10 of 13 opponents to fewer than 20 points.
  
  
• Key rankings:
  • 6th in total defense
  • 7th in scoring defense
  • 3rd in third-down defense
  • 5th in yards per play
  • 10th in run defense and tackles for loss

So you and chatgpt and a couple of "logical" kool aid drinkers support Banks, going forward. Color me shocked. Banks had great players last year obviously. For ball knowers, and even half wits like me, the issues with Banks were pretty clear though. I was sad when he re-signed. I was hoping someone would be dumb enough to hire him as a head coach.