The Tennessee Volunteers’ defense has made significant strides under the leadership of defensive coordinator Tim Banks. However, with the team looking to consistently compete for championships in the SEC, Banks must elevate the defense to the next level. One coach in the conference who has set the gold standard for defensive play is Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart. As a defensive mastermind and former defensive coordinator at Alabama, Smart has built Georgia into a defensive powerhouse. If Tennessee wants to reach the same heights, Banks could benefit from studying Smart’s approach and implementing some of his strategies.
Kirby Smart’s defenses are known for their physicality and tough, no-nonsense mentality. Georgia’s defenders are aggressive at the point of attack, winning battles at the line of scrimmage and swarming to the ball. Every player on the defense knows their role and executes with precision. This identity, rooted in physical dominance and high football IQ, has been key to Georgia’s back-to-back national championships.
While Tennessee has shown flashes of strong defensive play, the Vols have struggled with consistency in their physicality, especially in critical moments. Banks could benefit from instilling a similar identity in his defense—one that prioritizes physical play and execution. By creating a defense that thrives on aggressive pursuit and assignment discipline, Tennessee can establish itself as a more formidable unit, especially against elite SEC offenses.
One area where Kirby Smart has excelled is recruiting elite defensive talent. Georgia consistently brings in top-tier defensive players, and Smart has a reputation for not only acquiring talent but also developing players into NFL-caliber athletes. Smart understands that elite defenses are built with elite talent, and his ability to scout, recruit, and develop players has been a key factor in Georgia’s sustained success.
Tim Banks must work closely with head coach Josh Heupel and the Tennessee recruiting staff to ensure they are targeting the right defensive prospects. Tennessee has had some recruiting wins, but to truly compete at the highest level, they need to consistently land top-tier defensive talent, especially in the trenches and secondary. Banks could take a page out of Smart’s book by focusing on building relationships with recruits, selling the vision of the Vols’ defense, and emphasizing player development. If Tennessee can land and develop elite defensive talent like Georgia, the program’s ceiling will be much higher.
One of the hallmarks of Kirby Smart’s defensive scheme is its versatility. Georgia’s defense is adaptable, allowing it to adjust to a variety of offenses in the modern SEC. Smart’s defenses can switch seamlessly between different looks, confusing opposing quarterbacks and creating mismatches. Whether it’s a 3-4 base defense, nickel packages, or blitz-heavy schemes, Smart knows how to maximize his personnel to shut down opposing offenses.
Tim Banks has shown creativity in his defensive schemes, but the Vols have struggled at times to adjust to high-powered offenses. Specifically, Tennessee has had difficulty defending the pass, which is a crucial aspect of today’s SEC, where high-octane offenses are becoming the norm. By studying Smart’s adaptable approach, Banks can introduce more complexity into Tennessee’s defensive playbook, making it harder for opposing offenses to game-plan. This could involve mixing coverages, disguising blitzes, and introducing more exotic looks to keep quarterbacks guessing.
Kirby Smart is also known for his meticulous attention to detail, especially when it comes to game management. Georgia rarely beats itself with mental errors or lapses in discipline, which is a reflection of Smart’s coaching philosophy. His defenses are always well-prepared, and he places a strong emphasis on situational football—making sure his players understand the importance of execution in critical moments.
Tim Banks can elevate Tennessee’s defense by adopting a similar focus on game management. The Vols have shown improvement under Banks, but there have been games where critical mistakes, such as blown assignments or missed tackles, have cost them dearly. By drilling the importance of situational awareness and attention to detail into his players, Banks can help Tennessee’s defense become more reliable in high-pressure moments. In close SEC games, the margin for error is small, and defenses that remain disciplined often come out on top.
Kirby Smart’s defensive success starts in the trenches. Georgia consistently has one of the most dominant defensive lines in college football, controlling the line of scrimmage and allowing their linebackers and secondary to thrive. The ability to generate pressure without relying on heavy blitzing has been a staple of Smart’s defenses. By winning the battle at the line of scrimmage, Georgia’s defense forces offenses into uncomfortable situations, making it easier to create turnovers and limit big plays.
For Tennessee, improving the defensive line play is crucial. Banks has made strides in this area, but the Vols need to take it a step further. If Tennessee can build a more dominant defensive front, similar to what Georgia has under Smart, it will alleviate pressure on the rest of the defense and make it much harder for opposing offenses to move the ball. Banks should focus on developing a rotation of strong, physical linemen who can disrupt plays and control the line of scrimmage consistently.
Tim Banks has done an admirable job in transforming Tennessee’s defense, but to take the program to the next level, he could benefit from adopting some of the philosophies that have made Kirby Smart’s defenses at Georgia so successful. By focusing on physicality, elite recruiting, versatility, game management, and dominance in the trenches, Banks can help turn Tennessee’s defense into a unit that can compete with the best in the SEC.
If the Vols want to challenge for SEC titles and beyond, the defense will need to be the backbone of the team. Learning from one of the best in the business, Kirby Smart, might be the blueprint for getting there.