James Franklin will soon be searching for a new safeties coach and co-defensive coordinator.

Monday, Yahoo’s Pete Thamel reported that Tennessee is set to hire current Penn State safeties coach and co-DC Tim Banks. It’s a big addition to Josh Heupel’s staff at UT as the Volunteers begin a new era in their program’s history.

Banks has been a member of Penn State’s staff since 2016, serving in the same role as a co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach during his five seasons with the program. Before he joined Franklin in Happy Valley, he was the co-defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach at Illinois (2012-15), Cincinnati (2010-11) and the defensive coordinator at Central Michigan (2007-09).

Not only does Banks bring over a decade of defensive coordinator and defensive back coaching experience to Knoxville, he’s also an excellent recruiter. According to 247Sports’ 2021 recruiter rankings, Banks was one of the 10 best in that area in the B1G and ranked No. 51 nationally.

The news of Banks getting the job at Tennessee comes after Ohio State linebackers coach Al Washington reportedly turned down an opportunity to join Heupel’s staff. The Volunteers were hopeful to land the talented Buckeye assistant, but Washington opted to remain in Columbus.

Tennessee ended the 2020 season with a 3-7 record and fired head coach Jeremy Pruitt because of alleged NCAA recruiting violations that led to an investigation.