When Tennessee’s defense was last on display, the Volunteers were surrendering 279 second-half yards and 24 second-half points in a 45-24 loss to Vanderbilt inside Neyland Stadium.
Since that Nov. 29 defeat, Vols football coach Josh Heupel has fired defensive coordinator Tim Banks, named linebackers coach William Inge as the interim defensive coordinator for Tuesday’s Music City Bowl in Nashville, and hired Jim Knowles as the defensive coordinator moving forward.
“Initially, I think everybody hurts, because there is change,” Heupel said in a news conference following Friday’s bowl practice at Montgomery Bell Academy, “but as we started our preparation and got back on the grass, guys have been excited. Coach Inge has been subtle in tweaking some things from his past, and we’ve had really good work.
“I think our guys are ready to go compete and are excited for this opportunity.”
The Vols continued workouts Sunday morning at MBA for the showdown with Illinois inside Nissan Stadium. The matchup of 8-4 teams has a scheduled 5:30 p.m. Eastern kickoff on ESPN.