Tim Banks is in his fourth season with the Nittany Lions as the co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach after spending four seasons at Illinois.
In 2018, the secondary limited opponents through the air, finishing eighth in team passing efficiency (106.10) and 15th in passing yards allowed (181.5) in FBS..Penn State had 13 interceptions in 2018, the most since collecting 16 picks in the 2014 season.
The Nittany Lions held three opponents to 60 or less yards through the air in 2018. It was the first time since 1976 that PSU has held three teams to 60 or less passing yards in a single season.The Nittany Lions defense finished in the top 25 in FBS in scoring defense (7th; 16.5), sacks (7th; 3.23), rushing defense (14th; 118.0), total defense (17th; 329.5), team passing efficiency defense (21st; 114.88), turnovers gained (23rd; 25) and tackles for loss (25th; 7.2).