RENO, Nev. – Fourth-year Nevada head football coach Jay Norvell announced today Freddie Banks has been hired and will serve as the Wolf Pack's cornerbacks coach.

Banks spent the past two seasons at FCS Stephen F. Austin in Nacogdoches, Texas, where he also served as recruiting coordinator for the Lumberjacks. Prior to that, the former North Dakota State corner worked for three seasons at Division II Midwestern State as recruiting coordinator and defensive backs coach.

"Freddie has a long history with (new Nevada defensive coordinator) Brian Ward and he's done a great job at Stephen F. Austin teaching the coverage techniques we want to employ," Norvell said. "He is an excellent recruiter and a great developer of corners."
 
Banks played for Ward during his senior season at North Dakota State, where Ward worked as the defensive backs coach for the Bison.

"I want to say thank you to Coach Norvell and Coach Ward for this amazing opportunity to be part of the Nevada football program," Banks said. "There are high expectations here in Reno and we are going to exceed them. I can't wait to get started."

This past season at Stephen F. Austin, the Lumberjacks were fifth in the Southland Conference in pass defense and second in pass efficiency defense. In 2018, the Lumberjacks were second in the Southland in pass defense.

During his time at Midwestern State, where Banks served as defensive backs coach and recruiting coordinator, the Mustangs posted an impressive 26-6 record across three seasons and made back-to-back NCAA Division II Playoff appearances in 2016 and 2017, including a 10-1 record in 2017.
 
In his final season coaching the Mustang secondary in 2018, Banks enabled Midwestern State to pick off 15 passes and break up another 35 en route to the defense holding opponents to 208 passing yards per game. With a full season under his belt in Wichita Falls, Banks turned the gridiron into a no-fly zone in 2017 as the secondary produced 11 interceptions and 42 pass breakups. The ballhawks on the back line helped the Mustangs to an unbeaten regular season (10-0) and a Lone Star Conference championship.
 
Banks' youthful secondary played a key role in helping Midwestern State to an NCAA Division II Playoff appearance in 2016. Led by sophomore Sir'Vell Ford, a first-team all-league performer, and freshman Jaydon Cunigan (All-Lone Star Conference honorable mention), the unit ranked second in the conference and 37th in Division II by allowing a scant 190.1 passing yards per game.
 
Prior to his time at Midwestern State, Banks spent a year as defensive coordinator at Livonia High School (La.) where he helped the Wildcats to an 8-4 record while holding the opposition to 19.8 points per game.
 
Banks also logged two seasons (2013 and 2014) at Nicholls in Thibodaux, Louisiana, Banks worked with the Colonels' cornerbacks and served as the team's video coordinator. Nicholls was ranked second in the Southland in pass defense in 2013 (223.2 YPG).
 
Banks also spent two seasons as an assistant coach at Division II Minnesota State-Moorhead, acting as defensive backs coach and defensive play caller in 2012 and cornerbacks coach in 2011. Along with his defensive duties, Banks also helped out with the special teams unit and assisted in the strength and conditioning program. Outside of football, Banks was an assistant director of development at Minnesota State-Moorhead where he worked primarily with alumni relations.
 
Banks enjoyed a successful playing career in college, culminating with three seasons at FCS powerhouse North Dakota State (2008-10) after playing his freshman year at Division II Mercyhurst (Pa.) in 2006. Working his way up the depth chart, Banks started 12 games at cornerback for the Bison's first FCS playoff qualifying team in 2010. The 5-foot-9, 179-pounder amassed 48 tackles with an interception and six pass breakups as North Dakota State led the nation in total and scoring defense, permitting a mere 140.6 yards a game and ranking second in FCS in pass defense (140.6 YPG).
 
During his Bison playing career, Banks contributed to three wins over FBS members – Central Michigan (2007), Minnesota (2007) and Kansas (2010) – as he competed in 27 total games at North Dakota State. Banks posted 33 total tackles, including 1.5 for loss, and had an interception as a true freshman at Mercyhurst before transferring.
 
A 2006 graduate of Thornwood High School in South Holland, Illinois, Banks earned a degree in sociology with a minor in advertising and public relations at North Dakota State in 2010.
 
Banks is married to Candace Rena and has a daughter, Dakota, and a son, Aceson.

The File on Freddie Banks
Born: July 4, 1988
Hometown: Harvey, Ill.
Family: Wife – Candace Rena; Daughter – Dakota; Son – Aceson
Education: Bachelor's, North Dakota State (2010)

Coaching Experience
2020-present: Assistant Coach/CBs, Nevada
2018-2019: Assistant Coach/CBs, Stephen F. Austin
2016-18: Recruiting Coordinator/DBs Midwestern State
2015: Defensive Coordinator, Livonia HS (La.)
2013-14: Assistant Coach/CBs/Video Coordinator
2011-12: Defensive Coordinator/DBs, Minnesota State-Moorhead

Playing Experience
Mercyhurst (Pa.) and North Dakota State