Tennessee has a little insight into Alabama’s football program. After all, linebackers coach William Inge was a linebackers coach and co-defensive coordinator for current Crimson Tide head coach Kalen Deboer when the two were both coaching at Washington.
Tennessee defensive coordinator Tim Banks downplayed the effect that Inge could have on the Alabama game despite Inge knowing DeBoer’s offense better than most. After all, he practiced against it in 2022 and 2023 before leaving the Huskies to join the Vols.
“He’s not going to go out there and make no tackles, right?” Banks said during his press conference on Tuesday. “Or no interceptions, but, obviously, he’s familiar with coach (DeBoer), but at the end of the day our guys got to go out there and execute.
“We’ve talked a little bit about it. But he didn’t have any more than what we can see on tape, if that makes sense. It’s great having Inge. He’s done a tremendous job for us this season. This game will be no different for him.”
Banks and Inge have a mighty challenge on Saturday when the No. 11 Vols host No. 7 Alabama in Neyland Stadium at 3:30 EST. The Vols will have to continue to play elite defense, which they’ve done all season, without middle linebacker Keenan Pili, who has been ruled out for the season with a knee injury.
Pili handled the defensive play calls for the Vols and was certainly coming into his own as one of the best middle linebackers in the SEC, if not the nation. Pili was in his seventh season in college after being granted an extra year of eligibility, meaning his college career is over. Pili has suffered season-ending injuries three times in September, once at BYU when he suffered a torn ACL and last season at Tennessee when he suffered a torn triceps in the Vols’ season opener.
“That’s devastating,” Banks said. “For a program, it’s very rare that you find a great kid but also a great player. And he was having such a great season for us. He’s a smart kid. He’s a leader. My wife went to bed talking about him. She was crushed and she woke up talking about it.
“He meant the world to us. He’s just a tremendous kid, tremendous player…It hurts to be quite honest because he puts so much work into it. You wanted to see him finish this thing on his terms, but the good news is I know he’s going to respond. This kid is going to be a leader in the community. I don’t think his football days are over. He’s that talented. We pray for him, pray for his family and wish him nothing but the best.”
Banks said replacing Pili will be a group effort for the foreseeable future. He commended Jeremiah Telander, who stepped in for Pili in the Vols’ victory against Florida. The sophomore had five tackles. In a mostly backup role, Telander has 18 tackles this season including one for a loss, a fumble recovery and a broken-up pass.
“Has done a tremendous job for us,” Banks said of Telander, “all season in his role. Obviously, his role will continue to increase at this point, but all the linebackers will (play more). I don’t think you’ll be able to replace K.P. I think it’ll be a lot just by committee. And I think those guys are all up for the challenge.”
Kalib Perry will also probably see more playing time with Pili no longer on the field. The junior has eight tackles and a forced fumble in limited playing time this season.
“It’s unfortunate that Keenan got hurt, but it also gives us an opportunity to be able to play for him and be able to represent what he showed at the university and how he lived up being a Vol,” Perry said. “So our preparation is just try to carry that on with us throughout the rest of the season.”
Tennessee has another proven playmaker at linebacker even with Pili sidelined. Outside linebacker Arion Carter has 27 tackles this season, including seven for a loss, an interception, a quarterback hurry and three passes broken up.
“It’s just the work behind the scenes,” Banks said when asked about Carter’s success. “He’s a tireless worker, just from the mental perspective. Just understanding how teams are going to try to attack us not just in the run game, but even in the passing game. Nothing’s by accident.
“He’s a poster child by putting in extra work mentally and you’re starting to see it show up week in and week out. He’s only a sophomore, a true sophomore. We think the ceiling is extremely high for him. But we just love the direction he’s headed right now.
Banks said he wasn’t sure who would handle the in-helmet communication with Tennessee’s coaches this week against Bama. That was previously Pili’s duty. The new responsibility will likely fall on Telander or Carter moving forward, which is just another challenge in replacing one of the Vols’ best overall players and leaders in Pili.
