After the surprising, inconsistent play of the Tennessee defense in 2025, head man Josh Heupel made the tough decision to fire Tim Banks. Just like that, the Vols are on the hunt for a new defensive coordinator, but several names are popping up as top candidates.
The list includes Washington DC Ryan Walters, who is in his first season running the defense on Montlake for Jedd Fisch and Washington. Per Pete Nakos, Walters is someone to keep an eye on moving forward, and his relationship with Heupel is standing out. Could he end up getting an offer soon from the Vols?