Tim Banks will reportedly run Illini defense
January, 17, 2012
Jan 17
10:15
AM ET
By
Brian Bennett | ESPN.com
Illinois is expected to name Cincinnati assistant Tim Banks as its new defensive coordinator, according to the Champaign News-Gazette and other reports.
Banks was the co-defensive coordinator for the Bearcats the past two seasons and before that spent three years with the same title at Central Michigan. He has also worked at Maryland, Memphis and Bowling Green.
After struggling mightily on defense in 2010, Cincinnati bounced back with a strong season in 2011, finishing No. 6 in run defense, No. 20 in points allowed and No. 42 in yards allowed. The Bearcats won a share of the Big East title and beat Vanderbilt in the Liberty Bowl. Central Michigan led the MAC in scoring defense in 2009.
Banks worked alongside new Illinois head coach Tim Beckman while at Bowling Green, and he's familiar with Illini athletic director Mike Thomas, who came from Cincinnati.
The hiring of Banks would complete Beckman's first staff.
Banks was the co-defensive coordinator for the Bearcats the past two seasons and before that spent three years with the same title at Central Michigan. He has also worked at Maryland, Memphis and Bowling Green.
After struggling mightily on defense in 2010, Cincinnati bounced back with a strong season in 2011, finishing No. 6 in run defense, No. 20 in points allowed and No. 42 in yards allowed. The Bearcats won a share of the Big East title and beat Vanderbilt in the Liberty Bowl. Central Michigan led the MAC in scoring defense in 2009.
Banks worked alongside new Illinois head coach Tim Beckman while at Bowling Green, and he's familiar with Illini athletic director Mike Thomas, who came from Cincinnati.
The hiring of Banks would complete Beckman's first staff.
Brian Bennett | email
College Football- ESPN.com Big Ten blogger
- Joined ESPN.com in 2008
- Wrote for The Courier-Journal
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