Football
- Title:
- Special Teams Coordinator/Tight Ends
- Instagram:
Veteran special teams coordinator and former All-Pacific 10 Conference punter Jeff Banks is in his fifth season at Texas A&M where he oversees the Aggies’ special teams and coaches the tight ends.
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With first-year starters at punter and placekicker last season, the Aggie specialists remained among the SEC’s elite. The Aggies connected on 71-of-78 placekicks (91.0 percent) and ranked No. 7 nationally in net punting, while pinning opponents inside the 20-yard line 27 times. Additionally, the Aggies averaged an NCAA-best 25.4 yards on punt returns and produced four return touchdowns.
In 2016, both the Aggies’ punter and placekicker received All-SEC mention, while the team ranked among the national leaders in punt average, net punting and field goal accuracy. The Aggies led the SEC with a 86.7 percent success rate on field goals and hit all 59 of their extra point tries. A&M ranked No. 11 nationally with a 40.7 net punt average.
The highlight of his first season with the Aggies was the development of punter Drew Kaser and placekicker Josh Lambo. In 2013, Kaser broke the A&M record with a 47.4 punt average while being named a first-team All-American and being a finalist for the Ray Guy Award. Lambo connected on 80 percent of his field goal kicks and was 50-of-51 PATs. The Aggies also blocked an SEC-high three kicks, ranked third in net punting (39.4) and second in KO return defense (18.3).
Banks has deep connections to one of head coach Kevin Sumlin’s coaching mentors, Mike Price, both as a player at Washington State and an assistant coach at UTEP. Banks was at UTEP from 2004 to 2012 where he served as special teams coordinator and also coached the running backs and punters.
During his time in El Paso, Banks oversaw one of the top special teams units in Conference USA as the Miners led the league in special teams statistics in 2011 and 2012. In 2012, UTEP led the conference in net punting with a 40.1 average and punt return defense with a 3.1 yard average. The Miners allowed just 65 yards on 21 opponent punt returns. The Miners also ranked No. 3 in kickoff returns (23.8 avg.) and No. 4 in punt returns (10.1). UTEP blocked four kicks and returned a pair of kickoffs for touchdowns.
In 2011, UTEP led C-USA in punting (40.5 avg.) and ranked second in kickoff returns (26.3 avg.) and third in kickoff coverage (44.4 avg.). The Miners rated fourth nationally in kickoff returns and sixth in net punting, and the team blocked three punts and also executed successful fake kicks for first downs on the road on three occasions.
In 2009, a Banks pupil Donald Buckram broke UTEP’s season rushing record that had stood for over 60 years by rushing for 1,594 yards.
Previously, Banks served as an assistant coach at Idaho State from 2000-03 where he was the special teams coordinator, recruiting coordinator and coached the running backs. Idaho State led the nation in net punting twice in his three seasons.
He got his coaching start as a graduate assistant under Price at Washington State from 1998-2000, where he worked with the offense and the punters and kickers.
As a player, Banks was a two-time all-conference punter for Washington State, posting a 42.8 average as a junior and 43.4 as a senior. As a senior, he led the Pac 10 and was No. 15 nationally while helping the Cougars go 10-2 and earn an invitation to the Rose Bowl. Banks was selected to participate in the Senior Bowl. Banks earned his bachelor’s degree in communications from Washington State in 1999.
He started his collegiate career at Citrus College in Glendora, Calif., where he was a first team all-conference kicker and punter. Banks played his prep ball at Bishop Amat High School in La Puente, Calif. He lettered in soccer as well as football. He was a member of Bishop Amat’s state championship team, going 51-for-51 on extra point attempts.
Banks and his wife, Kori, have a daughter, Sydnei, and two sons, Gage and Tanner.
(08-2017)
