Rodney Garner on Vol Defense-Everybody must do better:

[EastTNVol6240]

We got problems at LB and Safety…..not rocket science.

Our problems start up top in the booth

 

[Sudden Impact]

Anyone think Garner would make a good DC??? Asking for a friend

All I know is that he had to be offered and turned it down? More than once I would think, most of his moves were family Medical issues I believe. I'm just not sure, Maybe he just enjoys where he is at and what he is doing. I think he is the best coach on staff.

 

[mprock]

Go get Auburn DC

 

[Cartervol]

Vols just can't hold up in the secondary and the linebackers haven't covered well either. I don't see a fix for that this year. I can't really see how they'll slow OU down this Saturday, going to have to outscore them. They're going to be wide open all day. They're going to play that soft zone and die by thousand papercuts. I'm not sure were rotating enough guys up front this year. Seems like they get pressure at times then by the second half gas out. It's just not good. Don't see many answers.

 

[volpass]

Rodney Garner on Vol Defense-Everybody must do better: Here​

Posted by Marvin West | Oct 29, 2025 | westwords | 1

Rodney Garner when he was first hired at UT. (Minus the gray and the miles)

Needs to be defensive coordinator.

 

[Smokymtnbullet]

Head Kevin Simon say the other day CRG is the only defensive coach that teaches to wrap up when making a tackle.All the others will after the fact like a missed tackle leading w a shoulder.

 

[MemphisVol3]

We got problems at LB and Safety…..not rocket science.

LB is being addressed with recruiting. Safety tho…gonna have to hit the portal. I think TJ White will play hybrid safety/LB but outside of that, safety recruiting has been underwhelming.

 

[OmahaOmaha]

LB is being addressed with recruiting. Safety tho…gonna have to hit the portal. I think TJ White will play hybrid safety/LB but outside of that, safety recruiting has been underwhelming.

With NIL, no excuses.

 

[landscapingvol]

LB is being addressed with recruiting. Safety tho…gonna have to hit the portal. I think TJ White will play hybrid safety/LB but outside of that, safety recruiting has been underwhelming.

Another area Banks is terrible at, recruiting. He is not a good recruiter so if there is a lack of depth and talent at the safety position it is on him

 

[BruisedOrange]

Summary of this thread:

When we have outstanding players, we play outstanding defense.
When we are developing good young players, we play good defense.
When we suddenly lose outstanding players to injury and have to rely on freshmen, we play average defense.

Thread conclusion... it's the coaches' fault.

 

[landscapingvol]

Summary of this thread:

When we have outstanding players, we play outstanding defense.
When we are developing good young players, we play good defense.
When we suddenly lose outstanding players to injury and have to rely on freshmen, we play average defense.

Thread conclusion... it's the coaches' fault.

Umm if you can't coach with excellent players then you shouldn't be coaching, that isn't a sign of a good coach. The sign of a good coach is a coach who is able to adjust to changes and adapt. And yes, EVERY team in the country has had to deal with injuries and again this isn't the first year Banks has done a terrible job. It's almost like half this board is related to him lol I would love to hear what he does well. He can't recruit. He isn't a good position coach because his has consistently been one of the worst on the team before this year and tackling has been an issue before this year. Players are consistently out of alignment which is one of his most important responsibilities.

 

[swampfoxfan]

If we were talking this way in the early part of the season, I'd be a bit more excited. After 8 weeks, I just don't see any answers for this season.

You never do.

 

[1SmokinVol]

OG-RG

 

[Cobb-Webb 1989]

I will always remember him for bringing in all that Georgia talent in the 90’s.

Yep.

Fulmer should had not let Garner leave in the first place.

You pay a guy like that what he's wants, and say, Welcome Home!

 

[Woodlawn VOL]

Another area Banks is terrible at, recruiting. He is not a good recruiter so if there is a lack of depth and talent at the safety position it is on him

Well we have some good linebacker recruits coming in. The safety position does need to be addressed in recruiting and the portal. Portal is all about hitting needs and not the splash. This past year LSU was said to hands down won the portal, but they failed to address their O-Line situation. Look at them now. You have to hit your needs in the portal over your wants. GBO

 

[WaywardVol]

Banks has had a really good defense 1 out of 5 years. Heupel is 1 out of 8 years. The biggest criticism when Heupel was hired was that he was disconnected from the defense. Randy Shannon was pushed on him by Danny White. A disaster at UCF. Banks, minus 2024, is worse.

 

[thistime]

DBs need to learn how to properly tackle. Running up and throwing your body at the ball carrier's feet just doesn't work against the offensive guys in this league all the time........maybe 50% at most. If you're scared of contact play soccer. Arm tackling is not the correct way to tackle either if you're scared.........soccer.