Knoxville, TN (WOKI) A bowling alley on Western Avenue is closed following a fire Wednesday afternoon.
Knoxville Fire Department crews were called to the Strike and Spare in the 5700 block of Western Avenue shortly after noon; they found heavy smoke coming from the building’s roof. Upon entering the building, KFD says crews discovered that the fire was coming from the heating and air system with smoke quickly filling the majority of the building.
Fire officials say the business was open and occupied at the time of the fire, but the building was evacuated quickly and no injuries were reported.
The building has suffered heavy smoke damage throughout and moderate water damage.
Crews responded to Strike and Spare, located on the road’s 5700 block. (Courtesy: KFD)
Jekyll Island, GA (WOKI) A Tennessee state senator from Kingston is facing a DUI and hit-and-run charge out of Georgia.
Tennessee Senator Ken Yager (R- Kingston) was arrested for DUI following a hit-and-run crash Tuesday evening in Jekyll Island, Georgia.
According to officials with the Georgia Department of Public Safety, Yager was booked into the Glynn County Jail but was released Wednesday. He’s facing three charges: DUI, hit-and-run and failing to stop at a stop sign.
Authorities say the investigation into the incident is ongoing.
Yager represents District 12 which includes Campbell, Fentress, Morgan, and Roane counties among others.
Tennessee state senator charged in Georgia DUI hit-and-run. (Courtesy: Georgia Department of Public Safety)
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) Investigators with the Knoxville Fire Department are investigating and one person sustains minor injuries following a house fire Wednesday morning near Alcoa Highway.
Crews called to a home in the 3400 block of Brookmoor Lane shortly after 11:30 a.m. were met with smoky conditions and a small fire in the living room area.
KFD reports firefighters were able to extinguish the fire immediately and get the homeowner, who had sustained minor injuries, out quickly.
The home sustained minimal smoke, fire, and water damage. No injuries to firefighters were reported.
Knoxville Fire Department crews respond to a house fire on Brookmoor Lane Wednesday. (Courtesy: KFD)
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel welcomed 24 new signees as part of the #RockyTop25 recruiting class on Wednesday, the first day of the early signing period.
As of Wednesday evening, the Volunteers boasted a top 10 class by On3, 247Sports and Rivals. This comes the day after Tennessee was tabbed No. 7 in the College Football Playoff rankings and will officially punch its postseason ticket on Sunday.
“It’s a great day to be a Volunteer and wear the orange,” Heupel said. “We had an opportunity to practice with our guys today, got some really good work, in particularly for our young guys, but the story of the day, obviously, is signing day. I love the group that we’ve signed up until this point. Great competitive makeup. A lot of leadership traits, guys that are still playing right now as they’re chasing state championships. But, the athleticism and the makeup of the individuals, couldn’t be more excited about what we’re bringing into this program. I want to thank the families that have entrusted their young men to us, and we can get a chance to be a part of their journeys and help them go chase their goals and dreams.”
The Vols signed 10 offensive players and 14 defensive players, including six players from the state of Tennessee. That group was headlined by On3’s No. 1 Volunteer State prospect quarterback George MacIntyre of Brentwood Academy in Nashville.
“When we first got here, I said that developing relationships inside of this state, that’s high school coaches, that’s everybody that has their feet on the ground, was going to be a real priority for us,” Heupel said. “Our staff has done that. We’ve tried to do a great job of evaluating the guys within the state. It doesn’t mean we take every one of them. It doesn’t mean we get every one of them, but we’re going to recruit (Tennessee) the right way.”
The three-day early signing period lasts until Friday. Tennessee continues its College Football Playoff prep with practice on Wednesday and will learn of its matchup and location at noon ET Sunday on ESPN.
Tennessee Football Press Conference | Dec. 4, 2024 (National Signing Day) Head Coach Josh Heupel
Opening statement… “It’s a great day to be a Volunteer and wear the orange. We had an opportunity to practice with our guys today, got some really good work, in particularly for our young guys, but the story of the day, obviously, is signing day. Love the group that we’ve signed up until this point. Great competitive makeup. Tough, smart, competitive individuals; guys that fit the culture of caring about the guy next to them. A lot of leadership traits, guys that are still playing right now as they’re chasing state championships. But, the athleticism and the makeup of the individuals, couldn’t be more excited about what we’re bringing into this program. I want to thank the families that have entrusted their young men to us, and we can get a chance to be a part of their journeys and help them go chase their goals and dreams. I also want to thank our entire staff. You look at our scouting personnel departments, our on campus department and obviously our coaching staff did a tremendous job of finding guys that fit the traits that we want athletically but also finding the right makeup of the individuals that we’re bringing in as we continue to grow this program, so it’s a great day. We’re continuing to take steps forward and, obviously, excited about everything that’s going on inside of our program right now.”
On what stands out about this recruiting class and the needs they needed to fill… “When you’re talking about recruiting high school players, you’re looking at the immediate as they come onto campus for the following fall but you’re also looking long term, and so size, length, speed, athleticism, we have to continue to grow in that area. But also, I mentioned it earlier, just the makeup, the competitive makeup of who they are, how hard they’re willing to work, what they’re willing to sacrifice, leadership traits, but those traits to grow inside of this game. You want all the physical attributes but it’s the mental makeup, the passion and purpose that they have within them that dictates their climb at this level. The longer we’ve been here, I just feel like we continue to recruit to the culture of our program and guys that fit in within the competitive makeup of it and I couldn’t be more excited about the group that we have coming in.”
On defensive back signee Timothy Merritt’s ability… “Really excited about Tim, he’s somebody that we’ve been recruiting for a long time. I go back to last January, just having the opportunity to meet his family, hear his story. The player itself you can see really quickly on video, great athleticism, extremely fluid, played quarterback this year for them at times and a dynamic playmaker. Tough, competitive makeup, When you talk with him you can feel his competitive mindset and his passion for becoming what he’s capable of really quickly and our staff did a great job of just continuing to develop a relationship with him, pour into him, family’s got great trust in us and obviously really excited about getting him.”
On his thoughts on the linebacker and tight end positions for this class… “Just continuing to add athleticism on the second level of our defense, guys that have the ability to play in space, that have length, have the ability to play with power, come out of their hips, they’re smart, they’re competitive. Really excited about what we’ve done there. Coach (William Inge) and our linebacker staff did a great job.
“At tight end, again, as we’ve been here, the athleticism, length, the explosive movement, the ability to play in space but also do things within the structure of our core, in particular in the run game, couldn’t be more excited about the two guys that we’re bringing in (DaSaahn Brame and Jack Van Dorselaer). They’re both highly competitive guys that come from really good programs that we’re going to need to make an impact quickly inside of our program.”
On his conversations with quarterback signee George MacIntyre and him having to learn multiple offenses in high school… “George has got a great ceiling and a great future in front of him. Extremely athletic young guy. You see that on the football field with his ability to improvise, extend plays, make plays outside of the pocket. Got a chance to see him play basketball multiple times. Extremely fluid and natural on the basketball court. For him, through his journey in high school, it’s tough when you’re playing in a different offense every year, but the positives that we talked about with him is that, man, you’ve been exposed to so much football and it’s forced you to grow while you’re in high school. I think that only helps him as he comes to us at this level with the diversity of what he’s had the opportunity to play in. I think that helps expedite his transition into college football.”
On recruiting flips and how hard it is to assemble a class and get it to the finish line in the current recruiting landscape… “It’s always been difficult. There’s no time period in recruiting – because of how competitive it’s always been, the nature of it – that it’s not difficult to get to the finish line. Signing day to me is always about who you get, and do they fit the profile of what you wanted at those positions, but do they fit the competitive makeup that you got to have inside of your program and fit the culture of the program? We’re really excited about the guys that we’ve gotten. Some of those guys have been with us for a long time. Some of them are more recent, but guys that we’ve been in communication with for a long time and got great relationships with. Really excited about it.”
On the competitiveness of recruiting in the SEC… “Most competitive league in America in all facets of what goes on in college football. It ultimately shows up on Saturdays when we’re competing against each other. But it starts with the recruiting process. Highly competitive.”
On what the rest of the signing period looks like… “We’ve had a great start to the day, we’ve got to continue to go finish it as well.”
On Nic Moore’s character after requesting Christmas donations at his signing ceremony… “It shows that he’s full of character. Nic is a great young man that has a great future on the field. He’s got a real focus on who he wants to become as a man too. Excited to have him and his family become a part of this football family.”
On De’Rail Sims and William Inge first year on the recruiting trail… “Similar to what I saw when they first got here on campus. The ability to communicate, relate to young people, develop relationships with them. That’s where recruiting starts. Kids get a pretty quick feel, usually, if you care about the person and the player. Those guys pour into our young guys. That’s why they’ve built their rooms extremely close in a short amount of time. That’s transcended onto the recruiting trail. Those guys are high level.”
On watching Daune Morris make plays and how that fits in the Tennessee offense… “Daune is someone we’ve had our eye on for a long time, and just getting an opportunity as this season continued to go on to be able to communicate with his family more, just building a relationship. They had a great official visit here a few weeks ago. He’s a dynamic playmaker. You see that with the ball in his hands out on the perimeter, return, playing the running back position, unique skill set, extremely athletic. He has great short-area quickness and in some ways reminds you of a young (Dylan Sampson) with his ability to do so much. We couldn’t be more excited to get him here.”
On his reaction to Tennessee’s position in the College Football Playoff rankings… “We control what we control. We don’t have a game before the final rankings come out. There’s a lot of football to be played yet, but if you’re not of the mindset going into this thing, anyone, anywhere, anytime, then you’re just there to have a cup of coffee anyways. This is a highly competitive group. We’ll play where we play, we’ll play who we play, and let’s go put the ball down.”
On how recruiting within the state of Tennessee has improved… “When we first got here, I said that developing relationships inside of this state, that’s high school coaches, that’s everybody that has their feet on the ground, was going to be a real priority for us. Our staff has done that. We’ve tried to do a great job of evaluating the guys within the state. It doesn’t mean we take every one of them, doesn’t mean we get every one of them, but we’re going to recruit (Tennessee) the right way. That means time, energy and communication. Our staff, from the time that we’ve been here, has invested that way. The product of who we are on game day, the success of the program, the success of our players, what they’re doing off the field, how they’re being prepared for life and growing as men while they’re here, I think speaks volumes. Inside of this state for sure, but in this region, I think everybody can see the trajectory of what this program is and the connection and true culture that we have within it, and that makes recruiting a whole lot easier within this border.”
On Nic Moore and what he adds to the offensive line room… “Smart, tough, competitive. He has position flexibility. I already said he’s smart, but he’s extremely bright. For a young guy, he has a lot of strength on his frame already. I’m really excited to get him here. He will be here in a couple of weeks, start progressing and get to work.”
On the additions to the defensive line… “I think we’re at five guys on the defensive line at this point. I just think you have great length and athleticism on the edges. You have explosive power on the edges, but you have it on the interior as well. Our defensive line plays vertical. The success that we’ve had on the development of our defensive line, the guys that have been here are a huge part of the success that we have had on the recruiting trail with these guys. Our defensive line staff, starting with Coach G (Rodney Garner), through coach Chop (Levorn Harbin) and everybody that’s in there, just does a great job. These guys fit the traits that we want, to be able to cause havoc at the point of attack. We’re really excited about these guys.”
On injury updates during playoff prep… “We have some time here, but feel like we’re going to have everybody getting ready to roll here.”
Watch Tennessee Football head coach Josh Heupel’s #RockyTop25 National Signing Day press conference.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Wearing black “Dark Mode” uniforms for the first time in program history, the University of Tennessee men’s basketball team turned in an impressive 96-70 victory Tuesday night against Syracuse in the SEC/ACC Challenge.
Fifth-year guard Chaz Lanier logged a game-high 26 points, tying a season best, for third-ranked Tennessee (8-0) in front of a sold-out crowd at Food City Center that saw the home team lead by double digits for the entire second half and by 20-plus for the final 13 minutes.
After conceding the opening basket of the evening, the Volunteers scored eight points in 46 seconds—the stretch included two three-point plays, the latter of which was an alley-oop dunk by Lanier. They later scored 10 straight points in 1:41, capped with a four-point play by senior guard Zakai Zeigler, to go up by 12, 30-18, with 8:50 on the first-half timer.
Syracuse (4-3) soon responded with a 7-0 surge in 1:11 to pull back within four at the 6:09 mark, but Tennessee tallied nine of the next 10 points over 2:04 to push the margin back to a dozen, 41-29, with 3:45 left before the break.
The Volunteers took a 10-point advantage, 45-35, into the locker room behind a combined 30 points from Lanier (11), sophomore forward Cade Phillips (10) and Zeigler (nine). Tennessee shot 11-of-13 (84.6 percent) at the line, while the Orange went 3-of-10 (30.0 percent) on free throws.
Early in the second frame, Tennessee used a 7-0 run to go ahead by 18, 57-39, with 15:40 remaining to take full command and upped the margin to 23, 73-50, with 10:38 left.
Shortly thereafter, the Volunteers, aided by back-to-back 3-pointers from Lanier, posted a 12-0 burst—the fourth time they scored at least seven consecutive points in the triumph—in 3:26 to extend the margin all the way to a game-best 32, 85-53, with 6:33 to go. At that time, they were 15-of-21 from the floor in the second half, including 7-of-11 from deep.
The Orange never got any closer than 22 the rest of the way and Tennessee scored six of the last eight points to claim the 26-point decision, its fourth-largest margin of victory this season.
Lanier scored his 26 points on 8-of-16 shooting, including a 5-of-8 mark in the second half that featured a stellar 4-of-5 long-range ledger. He added a season-high-tying four rebounds, two assists and one steal in the victory.
Zeigler, who entered the top 10 on Tennessee’s career made 3-pointers list, finished with 14 points, eight assists and a season-high four steals, pacing all players in the final two categories. Fellow senior guard Jordan Gainey totaled 12 points, all in a second half during which he shot 5-of-6 from the field and made both his 3-point attempts. He added six rebounds, one shy of his season best, and two assists.
Phillips, who made his first five field-goal attempts, ended the affair with 12 points on 6-of-8 shooting to set a career best in makes, as well as pulled down six boards, blocked a game-high two shots and dished out two assists, with the latter two marks matching career highs. Senior forward Igor Miličić Jr., the Volunteers’ fifth double-digit scorer, registered a double-double with 11 points and a game-best 10 rebounds, adding two assists and shooting 6-of-7 at the line to set a season high in both makes and attempts.
Freshman guard Elijah Moore scored a career-best 24 points for Syracuse, finishing 8-of-12 from the floor, 3-of-6 beyond the arc and 5-of-6 at the line. Junior forward Chris Bell contributed 12 points, while freshman forward Donnie Freeman added 10.
The Volunteers shot 53.8 percent (35-of-65) in the win, including 61.3 percent (19-of-31) in the second stanza. They also notched a 34.5 percent (10-of-29) ledger from deep that featured a sizzling 57.1 percent (8-of-14) mark after the break.
Tennessee totaled a 40-26 edge on the glass, including a 13-5 margin on the offensive end that led to a 16-7 advantage in second-chance points. It also had a 44-28 cushion in paint points and a 19-10 ledger in points off turnovers, forcing 11 and committing just eight.
The Volunteers have a week until their next game, which is set for Dec. 10 at Madison Square Garden in New York against Miami in the Jimmy V Classic, with action televised live on ESPN.
To keep up with the University of Tennessee men’s basketball team on social media, follow @Vol_Hoops on Instagram and X/Twitter, as well as /tennesseebasketball on Facebook.
TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS POSTGAME NOTES • The Volunteers’ victory helped the SEC clinch the overall SEC/ACC Challenge on the opening night of the event, which featured just 10 of the 16 games. • Playing its 600th all-time game at Food City Center, which opened in 1987-88, Tennessee moved to 458-142 (.763) in the venue. • Tennessee, which logged its 14th sellout in the last three seasons (2022-25), improved to 32-14 all-time in Food City Center sellouts, including 31-12 since the 2007-08 capacity reduction and 21-6 in head coach Rick Barnes‘ 10-year tenure. • In addition, the Volunteers are now 88-33 all-time when playing in front of 20,000-plus fans at Food City Center, including 29-9 under Barnes, with 23 of the latter 37 over the past four years (2021-25). • The Volunteers improved to 5-3 all-time versus Syracuse and, after starting 1-3, have now won four straight games in the series, including claiming a victory in back-to-back years. • Barnes now owns 182 wins over programs with a national championship, including 42 in his 10 years at Tennessee and four already—Louisville, Virginia, Baylor and Syracuse—this season. • Barnes moved to 14-5 against ACC schools—based off the current membership—during his Tennessee tenure, including 13-2 versus all schools other than North Carolina. • The Volunteers improved to 124-101 all-time versus current ACC institutions, including 7-1 over the last four seasons (2021-25) and 3-0 this year. • The Volunteers are 8-0 for the first time in 24 years, going back to the 2000-01 campaign, which it started 9-0. • Tennessee increased its non-conference home winning streak to 33 consecutive games, a stretch that dates to the 2020-21 season opener. • The Volunteers now have 29 wins by at least 20 points over the last three seasons (2022-25), including 22 by 25-plus, 17 by 30-plus, 13 by 35-plus and five by 40-plus. • Through eight games this year, the Volunteers have led for 303:50 and trailed for just 6:03 of a possible 320 minutes. • All eight of Tennessee’s wins thus far are by 15-plus points, with six by at least 22 and three by at least 35. • Tennessee has held a lead of 26-plus points in each of its eight contests this season and still has not faced a deficit larger than three. • The Volunteers have held a halftime margin of nine-plus points in seven of their eight outings, including leading by double digits six times, 12-plus five times, 14-plus four times and 23-plus twice. • Tennessee has now conceded 35 or fewer points in every first half this season, including 29 or fewer in five and 22 or fewer in three. • Zeigler’s four-point play with 8:50 left in the first half was Tennessee’s first since March 6, 2024, when Dalton Knecht notched one in a win at South Carolina to help the Volunteers clinch the SEC regular season title. • With his third and final 3-pointer of the night, a shot-clock buzzer-beating attempt with 1:59 to go, Zeigler reached 184 makes in his career, matching Admiral Schofield (2015-19) for No. 10 on the program’s all-time leaderboard. • Phillips’ six made field goals surpassed the career best of five he recorded on seven attempts versus Austin Peay on Nov. 17, 2024, while his 12 points put him one shy of the 13 he scored in that same contest. • This is the second consecutive outing in which Phillips has blocked two shots after he never did so previously as a collegian. • Miličić recorded his 13th collegiate double-double, including his second as a Volunteer, as well as reached double-figure rebounds for the 17th time, including the third at Tennessee. • Miličić’s prior season best in made free throws was four against Montana on Nov. 13 and versus Baylor on Nov. 21 in Nassau, Bahamas, while his top mark in attempts was six in the latter affair. • Lanier—who tied the season-best point total he set Nov. 21 against Virginia in Nassau—now owns 11 performances of 25-plus points as a collegian and he has hit that mark in three of the last four games. • After entering the night 7-of-8 from the line in seven outings as a Volunteer, Lanier went 6-of-8 on free throws versus the Orange. • Redshirt junior guard Grant Hurst scored four points, making both of his field-goal attempts, marking the first time he has hit multiple shots as a Volunteer and giving him a basket in three consecutive home games.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – After completing a 10-win regular season with a 36-23 win over Vanderbilt, Tennessee football comes in at No. 7 in the penultimate College Football Playoff Committee Rankings released on Tuesday night.
The Volunteers (10-2, 6-2 SEC) secured a second-place tie in the 16-team SEC standings after being picked seventh at SEC Media Day. Tennessee owns a win over current No. 11 Alabama, and both of the Vols’ losses came on the road at night in games decided in the fourth quarter.
It’s the 17th consecutive time that Tennessee has appeared in the College Football Playoff rankings dating back to 2022.
The Vols now officially await their first College Football Playoff berth on Sunday. The CFP selection show airs at noon ET on ESPN. First-round on-campus games are scheduled for Friday, Dec. 20 (one game) and Saturday, Dec. 21 (three games), with sites and game times to be determined on Sunday. The Friday game time is 8 p.m. ET on ABC and ESPN. The Saturday game times are noon on TNT, 4 p.m. on TNT and 8 p.m. on ABC and ESPN.
College Football Playoff Rankings (Dec. 3) 1. Oregon (12-0) 2. Texas (11-1) 3. Penn State (11-1) 4. Notre Dame (11-1) 5. Georgia (10-2) 6. Ohio State (10-2) 7. Tennessee (10-2) 8. SMU (11-1) 9. Indiana (11-1) 10. Boise State (11-1) 11. Alabama (9-3) 12. Miami (10-2) 13. Ole Miss (9-3) 14. South Carolina (9-3) 15. Arizona State (10-2) 16. Iowa State (10-2) 17. Clemson (9-3) 18. BYU (10-2) 19. Missouri (9-3) 20. UNLV (10-2) 21. Illinois (9-3) 22. Syracuse (9-3) 23. Colorado (9-3) 24. Army (10-1) 25. Memphis (10-2)
The trial for Larry McBee, the man accused of shooting and killing a 23-year-old Halls Rural King employee in 2022, continues.
McBee is charged with second-degree murder in the death of Tristan Smith.
Several witnesses spoke yesterday (Wednesday) at the trial, including a neighbor, a Rural King shopper and investigators.
The Knox County Sheriff’s Office says McBee reportedly shot and killed Smith after he was accused of trying to steal from the store.
One witness says McBee came to her house following the shooting and admitted to it after she showed him a photo running in news stories after the shooting.
A shopper in the store says he saw McBee placing items into his bag.
Finally, the court also saw surveillance video from the shooting. It showed a man walking up to an employee, Smith, and running out of an emergency exit, with Smith following him outside.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT / WOKI) Knoxville’s annual WIVK Christmas parade is returning for its 51st year on Friday and will feature 114 displays, including eight high school marching bands and several local businesses.
The event, which is scheduled for Friday, December 6th, will close several downtown streets and on-street parking areas.
According to the city, Jackson Avenue between State and N. Central streets will be closed from 2-9 p.m. for the First Friday Block Party.
Additionally, Gay Street between Main Street and Magnolia Avenue will be closed for the parade beginning at 6:15 p.m.
WIVK Christmas Parade route(City of Knoxville)
Prior to the parade, however, there will be several roads and on-street parking spaces closing in the afternoon, including the following:
Closing at 4:30 p.m.:
Hill Avenue between Walnut Street & Howard Baker Jr. Avenue
Main Street between Walnut and Gay streets
Gay Street between Main Street & Hill Avenue
Closing at 5:30 p.m. and reopening at 6 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 8:
Union Avenue between Walnut and Gay Streets
Market Street between Clinch and Union Avenues
The parade begins at 6:45 p.m. from the Main Street intersection and will end by 8 p.m. at Magnolia Avenue.
It will feature parades and floats with Mayor Indya Kincannon, the Knoxville Police Department, Knoxville Fire Department, Public Service and the Office of Special Events. National Baseball Hall of Fame 2024 inductee and University of Tennessee and Central High School graduate Todd Helton will also serve as the parade’s Grand Marshal.
City officials said to arrive early with ample time to park and find a spot along Gay Street to watch the parade. Drivers are also asked to avoid Summit Hill Drive prior to and during the parade, as all four lanes of cross traffic will be stopped as the parade goes through the intersection.
Free parking is available after 6 p.m. at all city-owned garages.
The Sevierville Police Department and East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers with new information on a possible pedestrian crash.
Officers responded to I-40 East near the 407 exit on October, 30th where they found 61-year-old Craig Olcott.
Police say he had injuries that made them think he’d been hit by a car, he later died at the hospital.
Now, investigators are asking for your help. Police believe Olcott traveled from Jefferson County to Morristown, where he left his car for unknown reasons.
Sevierville police are asking anyone who saw Olcott on October 29th or 30th to contact authorities.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – After guiding a Tennessee defense that ranked in the FBS top 10 in eight different categories, defensive coordinator Tim Banks was honored as a semifinalist for the Frank Broyles Award, which is presented annually to college football’s top assistant coach.
The Frank & Barbara Broyles Foundation announced 15 semifinalists Tuesday out of 65 FBS nominees. Banks is the Volunteers’ second semifinalist in three seasons under head coach Josh Heupel, as former offensive coordinator and current USF head coach Alex Golesh was recognized in 2022. Banks is one of four SEC coaches on the semifinalist list, joining South Carolina’s Clayton White, Texas’ Pete Kwiatkowski and Vanderbilt’s Tim Beck.
Banks is in his fourth season with the program and his 18th as an FBS defensive coordinator. He has overseen and built a Tennessee unit that has become one of the best in the nation. His defense served as a catalyst for a UT team that won 10 regular season games for the second time in three years and will punch its first ticket to the College Football Playoff.
The Vols held 10 of their 12 opponents under 20 points, and the 12th and final regular season opponent went over 20 with a kickoff return for a touchdown. Tennessee held eight of its nine Power Four opponents under their season scoring average. Only Georgia scored more than it averaged, and it was only by +0.4 in its home stadium.
The Vols ranked in the FBS top 20 in 11 different categories, including fourth-down conversions (1st – 28.6), scoring defense (4th – 13.9), yards per play allowed (4th – 4.33), total defense (5th – 278.3), third-down conversions (5th – 29.5), tackles for loss (6th – 7.8). rushing defense (9th – 99.6), team passing efficiency defense (10th – 110.51), red zone defense (11th – 73.5), first downs allowed (16th – 201) and passing defense (16th – 178.7).
Banks’ defense ranked either first or second in the SEC in eight different categories: third-down conversions (2nd), fourth-down conversions (1st), yards per play allowed (2nd), rushing defense (2nd), scoring defense (2nd), total defense (2nd), team passing efficiency defense (2nd) and tackles for loss (2nd).
Meanwhile, Tennessee gave up only 18 offensive touchdowns all season, which ranked tied for fourth in the FBS and tied for second in the SEC. Banks oversaw a squad that allowed only 167 total points all season, which was tied for fifth in the FBS and tied for second in the SEC. That was the fewest issued by the Vols since 1999.
Tennessee’s defense proved to be one of the best in the country at limiting explosive plays. The Vols tied for second in the FBS and led the SEC in fewest 40-plus yard plays allowed from scrimmage, issuing only three. Tennessee was also one of only seven FBS teams to allow one play of 50 or more yards all season.
Banks and his staff built a strong culture, and it allowed depth to flourish with UT rotating as many as 11 defensive linemen during games. The Vols’ 93 total tackles for loss tied for sixth in the FBS and ranked second in the SEC, and a total of 31 different players registered a tackle for loss with 24 collecting multiple TFLs.
The Broyles Award was created in 1996 recognizing Coach Frank Broyles’ legacy of selecting and developing great assistants during his hall of fame career as head coach at Arkansas.
The Broyles Award selection process includes the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), broadcasters, a college football hall-of-fame selection committee and current college head coaches. Five finalists will be announced on Tuesday, Dec. 10.
2024 Tennessee Postseason Award Honors as of Dec. 3
