Knowles Expected to be DC

[Titans4Vols]

...not sure what you've been watching.

It's bizarre how short this fan base's memory is.

The defense improved by rather large amounts each of Banks' first 4 years as defensive coordinator, and he took over a defensive roster that had things like a long snapper taking meaningful practice reps at linebacker.

 

[VolArmy74]

He had a bad year at PSU with a stacked defensive roster. OSU didn't drop at all without him.

 

[Hairy Vols]

The same people asking for Al Wilson, Mayo, and Muschamp that are now upset with this hire is crazy to me.

 

[OmegaVoLL]

He had a bad year at PSU with a stacked defensive roster. OSU didn't drop at all without him.

This sounds concerning, so what's your thoughts on him as a DC?

 

[chrisvannoy]

not really sure how i feel about this in the NIL era then

Could be that he brings half his defensive players with him from Penn State

 

[Grudenator]

I was expecting to be let down so It is what it is. Lets hire popcorn Sutton in the NIL era

 

[Clad in Big Orange]

Wait...I thought the guy from Washington was already moving in! There's nothing quite like a TN coach search.

 

[chrisvannoy]

His defense may not be elite year 1 with the learning curve BUT I can almost guarantee the defense won't be soft and will know how to tackle. I'd venture to say he brings some players from PSU with him.

 

[Vols919]

Talk about trying to make a splash hire! B1G fans do say his system may take 2-3 seasons to click though.

 

[superdave1984]

He had a bad year at PSU with a stacked defensive roster. OSU didn't drop at all without him.

osu actually got better on defense without him. I think the guy is a darn good DC, but if the players don't jump on board and learn the scheme quickly, it will be another bad year defensively. If they hire him, he needs to be on campus immediately and start working with the players. He can't wait until January.

 

[deatojl]

The breakdown of Knowles/his defenses is it always takes a year for it to get properly implemented. Apparently a very complicated/hard to learn scheme, but once learned, is really good.

Which makes one question why we'd go with him considering this fan base couldn't handle a single down year from Banks, but whatever I guess.

Like the hire, but it will likely require patience before elite results are seen.

Last year wasn't his best in his first year at PSU. He allowed 21 ppg his first year at OSU, though, and that includes 45 to Michigan and 42 to Georgia in their last two games. His defenses were lights out his other two years at OSU.

 

[Volpatine]

I think this has more to do with flipping the roster as it does anything. He will bring players with him is my hope.

 

[90 Vol]

I was leaning towards Walters, but Knowles is a quality hire. Farmer Fran would have been and upgrade from what we had.

 

[UTK]

Home run hire.

 

[Hairy Vols]

I was leaning towards Walters, but Knowles is a quality hire. Farmer Fran would have been and upgrade from what we had.

I had Farmer Fran at the top of my list. This school has let me down once again.

 

[McDad]

added benefit of having a good look, even with facial hair. He's not scruffy or overweight, bet he dresses nicely, too.

 

[Volfan76]

He had a bad year at PSU with a stacked defensive roster. OSU didn't drop at all without him.

Look at his defenses at Duke and Oklahoma St. He had ok state at #4 in total defense.

 

[TrojanorVol]

The breakdown of Knowles/his defenses is it always takes a year for it to get properly implemented. Apparently a very complicated/hard to learn scheme, but once learned, is really good.

Which makes one question why we'd go with him considering this fan base couldn't handle a single down year from Banks, but whatever I guess.

Like the hire, but it will likely require patience before elite results are seen.

The scheme is so sophisticated that a penn state defense filled with nfl talent cant stop the worse offense(ucla) in college football. Where is the template or blue print for these massive results in year 2?

 

[deatojl]

osu actually got better on defense without him. I think the guy is a darn good DC, but if the players don't jump on board and learn the scheme quickly, it will be another bad year defensively. If they hire him, he needs to be on campus immediately and start working with the players. He can't wait until January.

Averaging 12.9 ppg last year when facing Oregon twice, Tennessee, Penn State, Texas, Indiana, and Notre Dame is pretty impressive.

 

[Septic]

Homerun hire.

 

[titansvolsfaninga]

It's bizarre how short this fan base's memory is.

The defense improved by rather large amounts each of Banks' first 4 years as defensive coordinator, and he took over a defensive roster that had things like a long snapper taking meaningful practice reps at linebacker.

Please don't waste your time. Some people believe what others tell them and not what they see. Theyve convinced themselves that the defense has been horrible every year, even last year. The defense last year was good because the other teams were so bad.

 

[Evol]

This is a huge hire. He was the most sought after DC a year ago. I’m not blaming the Penn State disaster on him

 

[Vols919]

One concern i've heard is that his defense is complicated and requires a learning curve. Some concerns about how well the players can perform in 1 year.

Maybe the thought is a "push" for next year and set up 27-30 for a run with Faze as QB?

That would make sense, 2026 schedule is nasty and plenty of young guys will need time to get established even if Banks had been kept on staff.

 

[JGB]

I believe personnel has more to do with the success a DC can have right away. UT has some pieces on the roster but needs to land some impact players through the portal especially in the secondary and interior DL.

IT'S OFFICIAL

 

[deatojl]

That’s a legitimate point.

He did shut down Nico pretty well on a much better team in the playoffs last year, though.