Freddie Banks is the co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach for Wake Forest football in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, a position he assumed before the 2026 season after joining the staff in 2025.
In his first season at Wake Forest, Banks worked with a defense that improved sharply across major categories. The Demon Deacons recorded four interceptions and 11 fumble recoveries, allowed about 10.5 fewer points per game than the year before and gave up more than 100 fewer yards of total offense per game than in 2024. Wake Forest also nearly cut its passing touchdowns allowed in half and reduced red-zone touchdown rate by roughly 20 percent. The unit finished among the ACC's top five in total defense and pass defense, led the league in fewest yards allowed per play and held seven opponents to 14 points or fewer, the program's highest total in that category since the 2006 ACC championship season. Wake Forest also held ranked opponents Virginia and SMU to 14 points or fewer and did not allow a touchdown in consecutive conference games against Virginia and North Carolina. Defensive backs Nick Andersen, Karon Prunty and Davaughn Patterson all received all-conference recognition.
