Tennessee

Sources: Vols, DC Banks reach contract extension

Published

1 year ago

January 15, 2025

Sources: Vols, DC Banks reach contract extension

Chris Low, ESPN Senior WriterJan 15, 2025, 05:44 PM ET
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- College football reporter
- Joined ESPN.com in 2007
- Graduate of the University of Tennessee

The Tennessee Volunteers and defensive coordinator Tim Banks have agreed to a contract extension, sources told ESPN on Wednesday.

Banks led one of the country’s top defenses in 2024. The Vols held 11 of their 13 opponents under 20 points on defense and finished fifth nationally in yards per play allowed (4.56).

Banks received interest from multiple teams and coached this season on a contract that expires at the end of January. His new deal will pay him in the $2 million range annually, sources told ESPN, after he made $1.5 million this season.

A finalist for the Broyles Award as the top assistant coach in college football this season, Banks has been with Josh Heupel all four seasons at Tennessee after coaching under James Franklin at Penn State for five seasons.

Banks, 53, could be without one of his top players for part of next season. Cornerback Jermod McCoy, an ESPN second-team All-American, underwent surgery after tearing an ACL while training at his home in Texas, school officials said.

McCoy will miss spring practice, and his rehabilitation and recovery will determine whether he can get back in time for the start of the 2025 season.

The transfer from Oregon State was a key part of Tennessee’s defense as a sophomore and one of the top returning defensive backs in college football. He tied for the team lead with four interceptions, led the team with nine pass breakups and finished third with 44 total tackles. His 90.3 coverage grade by Pro Football Focus ranked fifth nationally among cornerbacks during the regular season.

Tennessee tied for seventh nationally with 11 touchdown passes allowed in 13 games.

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Tennessee

Tennessee Republicans push bills targeting LGBTQ+ community

Published

2 hours ago

February 17, 2026

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Tennessee Republicans push bills targeting LGBTQ+ community – CBS News

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Tennessee Republican lawmakers are pushing a set of bills targeting the LGBTQ+ community. CBS News’ Natalie Valdes reports.

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Tennessee

Tennessee lawmaker proposes stricter internet safety rules for schools

Published

14 hours ago

February 16, 2026

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Tennessee lawmaker proposes stricter internet safety rules for schools

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — A bill aimed at tightening internet safety policies in Tennessee schools is set to be heard by the Tennessee House Education Committee tomorrow.

Supporters say the legislation would strengthen and update acceptable use policies for students in both traditional public and charter schools across the state.

Lawmakers backing the measure argue that while the internet is a powerful educational tool, it can also expose young students to harmful content if not properly monitored.

The proposal, sponsored by State Representative Scott Cepicky, would require public and charter schools to review their internet use policies twice a year and make updates as needed.

Under the bill, schools would be required to block student access to certain prohibited material while using school internet networks and actively monitor how students use the web.

Cheryl Benson, a parent of a child attending a Metro public school, said she supports the proposed changes based on her own experience.

“She was watching videos including murder videos saying you will never sleep again and eat babies,” Benson said, describing content she discovered her child had accessed at school.

If passed, the legislation would also require schools to notify parents or guardians if a student under 18 accesses a website on school internet that violates district policy.

Rep. Cepicky has indicated he plans to amend the bill so the new requirements would take effect during the 2027–2028 school year, giving school districts additional time to prepare and implement the changes.

The measure is expected to generate discussion among lawmakers, educators, and parents as it moves through the legislative process.

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Preview: Tennessee Turns Sights to Postseason with SEC Championships – University of Tennessee Athletics

Published

1 day ago

February 16, 2026

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Preview: Tennessee Turns Sights to Postseason with SEC Championships – University of Tennessee Athletics

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee swimming & diving gets into the postseason calendar as it gets the SEC Championships underway. Tennessee is hosting this year’s SEC Championships at the Allan Jones Intercollegiate Aquatics Center Feb. 16-21.

All meet information including schedules, tickets, heat sheets/results, streaming, parking, and fan policies can be found on the 2026 SEC Swimming & Diving Championships Central page. Each session of the SEC Championships will be streamed on SEC Network+, with fans able to follow live results by using Meet Mobile.

The championship meet begins on Monday with the men’s 1-meter event. Tuesday features the women’s 1-meter, as well as finals in the 1650 Frees, 200 Medley Relay and the 800 Free Relay. Wednesday sees competition in the 100 Back, 200 Fly, and 100 Breast, as well as the men’s 3-meter.

Thursday begins the back half of the meet, with competition in the 100 Fly, 400 IM, and 200 Free on the individual side. Thursday also sees the women’s 3-meter and the 400 Medley Relay. Friday’s schedule features the 200 Breast, 50 Free, and 500 Free, while the men’s Platform and 200 Free Relay get underway as well. The championship meet ends on Friday, with a slate that includes the 200 IM, 100 Free, 200 Back, Women’s Platform, and 400 Free Relay.

At the 2025 SEC Championships, the men’s and women’s programs finished third overall. The Big Orange won a combined 28 medals, with 12 golds, nine silver, and seven bronze between the two teams. The Lady Vols finished the week with 1172, bringing home seven SEC titles and 18 total medals. The Vols finished the meet with 977.5 points, behind 10 total medals and five championships.

Camille Spink swept the 50 Free, 100 Free, and 200 Free at the 2025 SEC Championships, becoming the first SEC swimmer to achieve the feat since 2007. Spink was named the co-recipient SEC Commissioner’s Trophy, awarded to the top individual point scorers of the meet. Spink looks to win her third consecutive SEC title in both the 50 and 100 Free, which was last accomplished by fellow Lady Vol Erika Brown who did so from 2018-20.

Ella Jansen and Emily Brown enter for the Lady Vols as two of the top swimmers in the conference in multiple events heading into the SEC Championships. Both swimmers rank second and third respectively in the 200 Fly, with Brown setting the school record in the event earlier this season. Jansen is the SEC leader in the 400 IM, entering the meet with the fourth-best time in the event in the nation.

On the men’s side, Gui Caribe comes in with a pair of bronze medal performances in the 50 and 10 Free at the 2025 SEC Championships. Caribe has the best time in the country in the 100 Free of 40.91, while ranking third nationally and second in the conference in the 50 Free. The Vols come in as the defending champions in both the 200 and 400 Free Relays after taking the SEC titles last year. At last year’s championship meet, the Vols set NCAA records in both competitions as they captured the gold medals.

Martin Espernberger returns for the Vols after taking second place in the 200 Fly back in 2025. Espernberger took gold in the event in 2024 and looks to medal in the event for the third consecutive season. Bennett Greene took home bronze for the Vols in 2025, and aims to improve on that mark this year. Koby Bujak-Upton and Nikoli Blackman sit one and two in the conference in the 200 Free, with an eye on medaling for Tennessee at the conference championships.

Following the SEC Championships, Tennessee turns its attention to the NCAA meets. The Zone B Diving Championships take place March 7-11, taking pace in Athens, Ga. Following zones, Tennessee gets into the men’s and women’s championships in Atlanta. The NCAA Women’s Championships take place March 18-21, while the NCAA Men’s Championships get underway March 25-28.

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