Josh Heupel Introduces Tennessee’s Defensive Coaching Staff: A New Era of Vols Defense

As Josh Heupel embarks on his third season as head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers, the 2025 campaign represents a crucial juncture for both the offense and defense. Heupel, known for his fast-paced, high-scoring offensive schemes, has already made significant strides with the program. However, for Tennessee to become a consistent contender in the Southeastern Conference and nationwide, bolstering its defense is paramount. To achieve this goal, Heupel has made several key hires and restructured the defensive coaching staff to align with his vision for a more balanced, aggressive, and disciplined unit.

Heupel’s defensive staff revamp includes a mixture of familiar faces and fresh blood, each bringing unique expertise and a shared commitment to returning Tennessee’s defense to prominence. With that, let’s take a closer look at the new faces on the defensive coaching staff, their backgrounds, and how they fit into Heupel’s broader plan for Tennessee football.

1. Tim Banks – Defensive Coordinator

One of Heupel’s most crucial hires came early in his tenure when he brought in Tim Banks as defensive coordinator in 2021. Banks, a seasoned defensive coach with years of experience in the Big Ten, was tasked with stabilizing Tennessee’s defense after several seasons of inconsistency. His defensive philosophy emphasizes versatility, creating pressure through multiple defensive fronts, and using a variety of schemes to confuse opposing quarterbacks.

Before joining Tennessee, Banks was the defensive coordinator at the University of Illinois, where his defenses consistently ranked among the top in the Big Ten in terms of total yards allowed and scoring defense. Banks’ background includes stops at Penn State, where he was the defensive backs coach and helped develop a talented secondary that contributed to some of the Nittany Lions’ most successful years in recent memory.

As Tennessee’s defensive coordinator, Banks is responsible for implementing a more aggressive, fast-paced defense that complements Heupel’s high-flying offense. His ability to adapt to different offenses and his focus on player development will be crucial in establishing a defense that is capable of standing up to the powerful offenses in the SEC. The 2025 season will be critical for Banks, as the Vols aim to improve on their defensive performance, particularly in key areas like stopping the run, pressuring the quarterback, and creating turnovers.

2. Rodney Garner – Defensive Line Coach

A hallmark of Tennessee’s defense under Heupel has been the emphasis on building a strong, dominant defensive line. Rodney Garner, who rejoined the Volunteers in 2021, is a long-time coach with deep ties to the SEC and a track record of developing elite defensive linemen. Garner is one of the most respected position coaches in college football, having spent the majority of his career at Georgia and Auburn before returning to Tennessee.

Garner’s coaching career has been highlighted by his ability to develop high-level talent. At Georgia, he helped produce first-round NFL draft picks like Trayvon Walker and Jordan Davis. His passion for teaching the fundamentals of pass-rushing and run-stopping techniques is critical in Tennessee’s goal to field a defense capable of both containing and pressuring opposing offenses. Garner’s unit will be essential to Tennessee’s defensive success in 2025, as an elite defensive line can set the tone for the entire defense. Under Garner’s guidance, players such as Tyler Baron, Roman Harrison, and other young talents have the potential to take their games to the next level.

3. Willie Martinez – Defensive Backs Coach

Willie Martinez, one of the most experienced coaches on Tennessee’s defensive staff, returned to Knoxville in 2021 as the defensive backs coach. Martinez, a former player and coach at the University of Tennessee, brings a wealth of experience to the position, having previously worked at Georgia, Auburn, and other prominent programs. His tenure as the secondary coach at Georgia saw him help develop future NFL players like Deandre Baker and J.R. Reed.

Martinez is known for his meticulous approach to coaching the secondary. His defensive backs are often well-disciplined, with an emphasis on technique, reading the quarterback’s eyes, and understanding offensive schemes. In 2025, his defensive backfield will have a chance to shine with players like Kamal Hadden, Jaylen McCollough, and Warren Burrell leading the way. With the passing game becoming more critical in the SEC, Martinez’s ability to coach players who can disrupt the passing game and create turnovers will be crucial to Tennessee’s defensive resurgence.

4. David Johnson – Inside Linebackers Coach

The inside linebacker position is one of the most critical roles in any defense, and Heupel has tapped David Johnson to coach this unit. Johnson, who joined the staff in 2023, is another veteran coach who brings with him a wealth of experience from various programs. Prior to Tennessee, Johnson coached at both the college and professional levels, with stops at Florida, Vanderbilt, and the NFL’s Cleveland Browns.

Johnson’s coaching philosophy revolves around developing linebackers who can excel in both coverage and run defense. In his time at Florida, Johnson helped develop dynamic linebackers like Jarrad Davis and David Reese, who became standouts in the SEC. Johnson’s ability to teach linebackers to read offenses, recognize plays early, and deliver strong hits is vital in helping Tennessee’s defense maintain its aggressiveness. In 2025, he’ll look to develop players like Aaron Beasley and Juwan Mitchell into game-changers, both as tacklers and in pass coverage.

5. Jay Bateman – Outside Linebackers Coach

Joining Tennessee in 2023, Jay Bateman brings a wealth of experience coaching linebackers and defensive schemes at both the collegiate and NFL levels. He’s been a part of successful defensive systems at programs like North Carolina and Army, where his linebackers played pivotal roles in creating havoc on opposing offenses.

Bateman’s focus is on developing aggressive, versatile outside linebackers capable of rushing the passer, dropping into coverage, and setting the edge in the run game. His ability to mold players who can do a little bit of everything will be key for Tennessee in 2025. With a talented group of edge rushers, including Byron Young and Tyler Baron, Bateman will look to unleash his players’ full potential, contributing to the Vols’ overall defensive success.

6. Kelsey Pope – Special Teams Coordinator

Although not directly involved in defense, Kelsey Pope has a critical role as Tennessee’s special teams coordinator, and his work with the special teams will certainly impact the defense’s ability to perform. Pope has been with Tennessee since 2021, working with the receivers and later moving into the special teams role. A good special teams unit can provide the defense with better field position, create turnovers, and even score points. Pope’s focus on maximizing special teams contributions is a key piece of the overall defensive strategy.

Conclusion

With the 2025 season fast approaching, Josh Heupel’s defensive coaching staff is well-positioned to transform Tennessee’s defense into a formidable force in the SEC. The combination of experienced coaches like Tim Banks and Rodney Garner with rising stars such as David Johnson and Jay Bateman creates a promising foundation for the Vols. With their collective emphasis on player development, adaptability, and aggressive tactics, Tennessee’s defense looks set to improve drastically in 2025, ensuring the Vols have the balanced team necessary to compete for championships. As Heupel continues to build his vision for Tennessee football, the defensive coaching staff will play a key role in shaping the program’s future.