As Tennessee gears up for its Music City Bowl clash with Illinois on Dec. 30 in Nashville, linebacker Jeremiah Telander stepped up to the mic on Tuesday afternoon, representing the defensive side of the ball-and, in many ways, the transitional moment the Vols are navigating.
Telander wasn’t just fielding questions about bowl prep. He was also the voice of a defense adjusting to major change. With former defensive coordinator Tim Banks out and Jim Knowles now stepping into that role, Telander found himself balancing respect for the past with anticipation for what’s next.
“First off, we love Coach Banks,” Telander said, not hesitating to show appreciation for the man who led Tennessee’s defense during all three of his seasons in Knoxville. “I feel like, as a player, we didn’t do enough to keep him here and make him look good.”
That kind of honesty stands out. It’s rare to hear a player take that kind of ownership, especially in a sport where coaching changes are often chalked up to results and resumes.
But Telander’s words weren’t just about accountability-they were about respect. For Banks, who helped shape the Vols’ defensive identity over the past few years, the chapter may be closed in Knoxville, but it’s not over.
He’s already landed on his feet, joining Alex Golesh’s staff at Auburn as safeties coach. The two previously worked together at Tennessee in 2021 and 2022, coordinating opposite sides of the ball.
Still, the focus now shifts to the future. And that means getting to know Jim Knowles, a coach with a championship pedigree and a track record of building elite defenses.
Telander’s first impressions? All positive.
“Now seeing Coach Knowles, he has a great resume of wonderful defenses and great schemes,” he said. “We’re really looking forward to getting to know his scheme and getting to know him more as a coach and it’s going to be great.”
There’s no sugarcoating it-implementing a new defensive system in the middle of bowl prep isn’t exactly ideal. And Telander acknowledged that the Knowles era won’t truly begin until after the Music City Bowl. But that doesn’t mean the players aren’t eager.
“Extremely excited,” Telander said, describing his mindset heading into the offseason. “I was telling Edwin (Spillman) earlier, I want to get that install as soon as we possibly can so we can start making flashcards and start quizzing each other. It’s going to be an exciting challenge and I’m looking forward to it.”
That’s the kind of energy you want from your linebackers-hungry to learn, willing to lead, and ready to compete.
In the meantime, the Vols will lean on a familiar face to guide them through the bowl game. Linebackers coach William Inge will serve as the interim defensive coordinator against Illinois, and that continuity could be key. Inge and Telander have built a strong relationship over the last two seasons, and that trust matters when you’re trying to finish the season on a high note.
“Right now, we’re just listening to what Coach Inge says, building on a new playbook while also using some of the things we did in the past,” Telander explained. “Right now, I’m just fully focused on that. When Coach Knowles wants to implement his defense, then that will be my focus.”
For now, the mission is simple: finish strong. The Music City Bowl gives Tennessee a chance to close the season with momentum, even as the program begins to turn the page on a new defensive chapter. Telander’s leadership and mindset suggest the Vols aren’t just embracing the change-they’re ready to run with it.