Under Banks, special teams cashing in
AUSTIN — In December of 1993, San Diego State decided to make a coaching change. This was an unfortunate development for freshman punter Jeff Banks, whose new head coach, Ted Tollner, reportedly told him he “didn’t think I had what it takes to be a major-college kicker.”
“I took what he said as a challenge,’ Banks told the Los Angeles Times four years later amid his All-pac-10 senior season at Washington State.
Tollner eventually flamed out, fired in 2001 after eight middling years. By that time, Banks was already making a name for himself as Idaho State’s special teams coordinator. He was shrewd and chummy and had a rare flair for getting kids to buy into the most underappreciated phase of the game.
The years haven’t eroded Banks’ enthusiasm, either. Now in his second year as Texas’ special teams coordinator following fruitful stays at Idaho State (2000-03), UTEP (2004-12), Texas A&M (2013-17) and Alabama (2018-20), Banks remains among the game’s best at organizing kickoff coverages, identifying deficiencies in the opposing team’s punt protection and all the other little things that go into being a top-flight coordinator.
Texas (5-3, 3-2 Big 12) has some kinks to iron out during its bye week with next week’s trip to Manhattan, Kan., looming. But aside from a couple mishaps here and there, Banks’ special teams units have excelled throughout 2022.
Texas has blocked a punt in
two straight games and is one of 18 Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) teams to have blocked at least three this year. It’s averaging 48.3 net yards on kickoffs, tops in the Big 12, and has allowed one blocked kick on 48 combined punts and field goals. Sophomore Xavier Worthy leads the conference in punt return average (12.3) and junior Keilan Robinson is fourth in kick return average (24.1). Robinson has also blocked one punt and returned another blocked punt for a touchdown..
Now, 20 games into coach
Steve Sarkisian’s tenure, there’s a compelling argument to be made that Banks, an accomplished recruiter who also coaches the tight ends, is this program’s most valuable assistant.
“Jeff works at his craft,” Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said. “It’s 365 days a year he’s working on his craft. Whether it’s fundamentals and technique or finding new ways to do things. Whether it’s scheme or personnel driven, evaluating our current roster of who can play where and have a role on the team. A lot of guys we play sometimes
are not frontline starters, but they have an impact on special teams.
“I think he’s got a aggressive approach to special teams. I think he does a great job of motivating our players to buy into special teams and ultimately that was one of the reasons why I was so bullish on hiring him here at the University of Texas.”
Banks owns a keen eye. While that’s aided him on the recruiting trail, it’s also allowed him to identify the type of player who could excel on special teams.
Take Morice Blackwell Jr., a
sophomore defensive back out of Arlington Martin. Banks couldn’t stop raving about him during preseason training camp.
“I’m fired up about Mo,” Banks said in August. “When he was coming out Arlington Martin, he was a guy that I was excited that (Texas) had signed and was really excited to get to coach him.”
Blackwell currently owns the second-highest special teams grade in the Big 12 (minimum 50 snaps), according to Pro Football Focus tracking data. In last week’s 41-34 loss to Oklahoma State, he blocked a punt in the second quarter and flattened kickoff return man Jaden Nixon at the 15-yard line a few drives later.
Banks just seems to have a sixth sense when it comes to this sort of stuff. That, combined with a genuine passion for coordinating the special teams, is exactly why Sarkisian hired Banks away from Alabama.
“His mantra on special teams kind of lends itself to my style of play and how I like our team to play,” Sarkisian said. “He’s a very aware guy and has got great feel for the game, a great feel for our team, our staff. I lean on him a lot. I think it’s been a very good marriage. He’s very good at what he does, and we’re lucky to have him.”