Terps’ Banks returns to roots

“Tim did a real good job for us,” Terps head coach Ralph Friedgen said. “He’s an excellent football coach and a good person. We’ll miss him, but he felt this was a good opportunity he could not pass up. It’s a chance to become a defensive coordinator at his alma mater and go back to Michigan, where he has a lot of family ties.”

Friedgen followed a similar path earlier in his career, returning to his alma mater when he took his current position after the 2000 season.

Banks played corner and was twice a second-team All-Mid-American Conference selection. He was the co-captain for the school’s 1994 MAC title-winning team. He spent two years as an assistant at Bowling Green (1999-2000) before spending two more at Memphis (2001-02).

He joins a Chippewas staff that recently added Butch Jones as head coach.

“Tim and I coached together at Ferris [State University] and competed against one another the last two years,” Jones said. “I have been very impressed with his defensive schemes and the way his defenses have played. He will be a great asset to this program, both as a CMU alum and a native of the city of Detroit.”

This season, Banks oversaw a secondary that featured senior cornerback Josh Wilson, an All-Atlantic Coast Conference honorable mention and potential NFL draft pick. Prior to this season, he coached linebacker D’Qwell Jackson, the 2005 ACC defensive player of the year and a two-time first-team All-ACC selection who now plays for the Cleveland Browns.

Banks, who could not be reached for comment, was also key in recruiting in-state talent for the Terps, particularly in Baltimore city and county.

Friedgen now begins a nationwide search for Banks’ successor.