The search is on for Tennessee football’s next defensive coordinator. On Monday, Josh Heupel fired Tim Banks and officially decided it was time to move in a new direction on that side of the ball. It marked the first time he had fired a position coach or coordinator while at UT.
Now, the Vols are conducting a search to find their next defensive coordinator. While there are plenty of options, well-sourced On3 reporter Pete Nakos revealed one name Tennessee fans should know. That’s Ryan Walters, acting defensive coordinator at Washington.
Walters is in his first season at Washington after being fired as the Purdue head coach. He led the Boilermakers for a pair of seasons, going 5-19 overall and 1-11 in his final year in 2024.
One name to keep an eye on at Tennessee is Washington defensive coordinator Ryan Walters, sources tell @clowfb and I for @On3sports.
Former Purdue head coach was on staff with Josh Heupel at Missouri.
Hot Board: https://t.co/DuXKZohaaZ https://t.co/PYdCewBOBg pic.twitter.com/4antj0gQ5F
— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos) December 8, 2025
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While his first attempt at being a head coach didn’t work out, he’s proven to be a great defensive coordinator. This year, under Jedd Fisch with the Huskies, his unit allowed the 20th-least yards and 21st-least points per game in the country.
Walters also has defensive coordinator experience at Illinois and Missouri. It was during his time with the Tigers when he crossed paths with Heupel. While Heupel was Missouri’s offensive coordinator in 2016-17, Walters was co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach. Banks was also UT’s safety coach, making the experience even more valuable in the search for his replacement.
For now, it’ll be William Inge taking over as interim defensive coordinator, though. He also has plenty of experience in the role, including as recently as Washington’s in the 2023 season that saw the Huskies make it to the College Football Playoffs under Kalen DeBoer.
