The University of Illinois has hired Tim Banks to be its new defensive coordinator, as the school announced on Wednesday. Banks was the co-defensive coordinator with the Cincinnati Bearcats over the past two years, and he previously served the same role with Western Michigan.
Banks reunites with new Illinois head coach Tim Beckman, as the two coached together at Bowling Green in 1999 and 2000. Beckman spoke with ESPN Chicago's Adam Rittenberg about the move:
Tim Banks is a great fit for the University of Illinois. He led an outstanding defense at Central Michigan and made a great improvement at Cincinnati this past season. Tim and I worked together at Bowling Green and I consider him one of the brightest young coaches in the nation. Tim will run a very aggressive defensive system that will work very well with our personnel.
Banks led a pretty solid Cincinnati defense last season. The Bearcats ranked sixth nationally in rushing defense and 42nd overall. They were elite at getting pressure on the line, as they led the nation in tackles for loss and placed nationally second in sacks.
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