Tennessee football is getting ready to turn the page to Jim Knowles’ defense. After the 2025 regular season, Josh Heupel fired defensive coordinator Tim Banks and hired Knowles to take over the position. While linebackers coach William Inge is the interim defensive coordinator for the Music City Bowl, it’ll be Knowles running the show afterward.
In preparation for the bowl game, linebacker Jeremiah Telander met with the media to give his thoughts. He was asked about what Knowles brings to the table and balancing the anticipation for the change with preparing under Inge.
Here’s what he said.
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On why Tennessee fans should think the group is trending in the right direction
“It’s a new way of college football. There’s new hires, there’s fires everywhere. You just kind of have to adjust as things go on. For Vol fans, we got a great DC coming in and we have full trust in him. Right now, we have one game left. Huge game in this Music City Bowl and let’s finish this season strong and start next season the right way.”
On his first impression of Jim Knowles
“First off, we love Coach Banks. I feel like as a player, we didn’t do enough to keep him here and make him look good. We love Coach Banks and it’s hard to see him go, but like I said, you have to adjust. Now seeing Coach Knowles, he has a great resume of wonderful defenses and great schemes. We’re really looking forward to getting to know his scheme and getting to know him more as a coach and it’s going to be great.”
On playing one defense now, learning another right after the Music City Bowl
“It’s not too strange. Right now, we’re just listening to what Coach Inge says, building on a new playbook while also using some of the things we did in the past. Right now, I’m just fully focused on that. When Coach Knowles wants to implement his defense, then that will be my focus. So, it’s not too strange right now, no sir.”
On if he’s excited to learn Jim Knowles’ scheme
“Extremely excited. I was telling Edwin (Spillman) earlier, I want to get that install as soon as we possibly can so we can start making flashcards and start quizzing each other. It’s going to be an exciting challenge and I’m looking forward to it.”
On how much he’s looked into Jim Knowles’ scheme
“Like I said, right now, we’re just focused on this bowl game and working on what Coach Inge has implemented for us. I’m looking forward to whatever he throws our way, man, and I know we’re going to study it hard and do it the right way.”
On if this game is an audition for Jim Knowles
“I told everybody, it’s a clean slate, man. It’s like we’re all freaking freshmen again. Even today, he’s in the back just watching everybody, man. It’s a clean slate. But at the end of the day, if you do what you’re supposed to do every day, you just got to be yourself. You just got to be yourself plus one.”
On if Jim Knowles is on the practice field or in the meeting room
“No comment right now. We’re looking forward to it.”
