Tennessee has secured one of its coaches that worked last year under an expiring contract. Now, the Vols have some much tougher decisions to make.
Re-signing defensive coordinator Tim Banks was a no brainer despite the frustrations that many had early in his tenure when the Vols struggled without the ball. Per multiple reports, Banks is close to re-upping with the Vols. The news should go public anyway.
I said then, and I’ll say it again: Banks was masterful in those early years in which the Vols struggled on defense. He just didn’t have much talent.
Banks had talent last season, and the defense performed well. Losing Banks would have been a major issue that the Vols didn’t want to deal with. With that taken care of, let’s take a look at the two Tennessee assistant coaches with expiring contracts that are on the Vols coaching staff: Mike Ekeler and Willie Martinez.
Ekeler coaches special teams and middle linebackers. The Vols ranked ninth in the SEC in opponent punt returns, 12th in opponent kickoff returns, first in punt returns and fifth in kickoff returns. That’s not bad, although the coverage teams obviously need an upgrade. However, Ekeler, who is known for his energetic coaching style, coaches more than just the kicking game. He also coaches Tennessee’s outside linebackers, which have been hit or miss under his watch.
Tennessee’s linebackers got lost in pass coverage far too often. One would think part of that is Ekeler’s fault, but overall scheme could play a part. However, if Ekeler is to blame for the Vols’ struggles in the second level, then Tennessee needs to go in a different direction. Still, I’d keep Ekeler. Tennessee doesn’t need a coaching change-up on its staff just when the Vols appear to be closing in on a championship.
Keeping defensive backs coach Willie Martinez is a much more complicated matter. Despite whatever you might have thought about Tennessee’s defensive backs in the past, losing Martinez would mean taking a step back in recruiting. The Vols don’t need that. Martinez is considered one of the best recruiters in the southeast, if not the nation.
I’d certainly keep Martinez on staff, especially after his defensive backs played at a high level last season. However, if I’m Heupel, it’s not a slam-dunk decision.
There are three coaches that Tennessee simply cannot lose: head coach Josh Heupel (obviously), defensive line coach Rodney Garner, who is also a great recruiter, and Banks. Other than those coaches, the Vols have a staff of expendables, especially on offense. Tennessee has the leverage to try to upgrade any coach on its staff if Heupel chooses to do so. Coaching for Tennessee is one of the peach jobs in college football, which is why I’m not doling out raises like Halloween candy.
Ekeler and Martinez should stay, but there is no need to give them huge raises to keep them around. That could prompt a voluntary exit. That’s why these decisions are just so tough.
