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Tennessee Defense: Can Knowles Fix the Woes?
26 May
Summary
- Tennessee's defense plummeted from No. 6 to No. 92 nationally in one year.
- Jim Knowles, known for his complex schemes, is the new defensive coordinator.
- A first-year starting quarterback faces challenges alongside defensive concerns.
The Tennessee Volunteers experienced a significant step back in the 2025 season, finishing with an 8-5 record after a successful 2024 campaign that saw them reach the College Football Playoff. A primary factor in the disappointing season was the defense's dramatic drop in performance, plummeting from sixth in total defense in 2024 to 92nd in 2025.
Following this decline, head coach Josh Heupel dismissed defensive coordinator Tim Banks. Heupel then made a notable hire in Jim Knowles, celebrated for his defensive acumen. Knowles previously led Ohio State's defense to national championship success in 2024 before moving to Tennessee.
Despite Knowles's reputation, analyst Josh Pate voiced skepticism, suggesting the Volunteers' defense might struggle again in the upcoming season. Pate pointed out that Knowles's schemes are notoriously difficult to implement, often showing their worst performance in his first year with a team. In 2022, his debut year at Ohio State, their defense ranked 14th nationally, improving to third in 2023 and first in 2024.
This upcoming season presents a considerable challenge for Knowles, as a substantial improvement to even the top 60 defensively might be necessary for Tennessee to achieve a better record than the previous year. Compounding these defensive concerns is the fact that the Volunteers will be starting a new quarterback, adding further pressure on the defense to compensate for offensive uncertainties.
