Football
- Title:
- Defensive Coordinator
Mark Banker and the assistants have developed one of the top defenses in the nation, and it’s backed up by the statistics. Banker, in his 12th year as defensive coordinator, has had players earn 69 Pac-10/12 honors during his tenure at Oregon State. The 2014 season will mark the second year that he has served solely as the defensive coordinator.
His 2013 team featured four Pac-12 all-conference players, including second team honorees defensive end Scott Crichton and cornerback Rashaad Reynolds – both participated in the NFL Combine. The Beavers closed out the season with a win over Boise State in the Sheraton Hawai’i Bowl upping Banker’s bowl record to 6-2 while at OSU.
The 2012 season was Banker’s first as concentrating solely as the defensive coordinator (prior years he also had a position group responsibilities), leading the Beavers to a dramatic improvement and an invitation to the Valero Alamo Bowl. The Beavers finished third for overall defense in the Pac-12 Conference, including second for scoring defense, and were sixth in the nation for third-down percentage defense. Two Beavers earned Pac-12 First Team honors, cornerback Jordan Poyer and Crichton. Poyer became the first OSU consensus All-American in over 40 years. Cornerback Rashaad Reynolds and tackle Andrew Seumalo also garnered postseason honors by being selected Pac-12 Honorable Mention.
Banker’s 2011 defense produced freshmen All-American defensive ends Dylan Wynn and Crichton, as well as Pac-12 all-conference cornerback Jordan Poyer. A total of 10 first time starters played on the defense, making it one of the youngest units in the nation.Banker was named the Pac-10 Defensive Coordinator of the Week in 2010 for his team’s effort in allowing just 255 yards in a 38-6 victory over No. 20 USC. Seven players on defense earned Pac-10 Conference postseason honors, including defensive tackle Stephen Paea collecting his second Morris Trophy honor, presented annually to league’s top defensive lineman. Paea also earned All-America honors.
Banker had only three starters return to his defense in 2009, yet he molded the team to make yet another run at the conference title finishing second. Paea was the recipient of the Pac-10’s Morris Trophy and linebacker Keaton Kristick joined Paea on the conference’s first team. Three other linebackers earned honorable mention all-league.
In 2008, Banker’s defense ranked second in the Pac-10, allowing 312.2 yards per game. There were many highlights to the season, including shutting down the vaunted USC offense in a 27-21 victory in then the No. 1 Trojans only loss of the year. The Beavers also shut out Pittsburgh in the Sun Bowl, marking the only postseason game where a team was held scoreless. The individual highlights were many including eight defenders earning All-Pac-10 honors. Defensive end Victor Butler, a Pac-10 First Team player, had a record breaking season for tackles-for-loss and was named the Sun Bowl MVP after making four sacks. Butler (Dallas), defensive end Slade Norris (Oakland), Keenan Lewis (Pittsburgh), Al Afalava (Chicago) and Brandon Hughes (San Diego) were all selected in the NFL Draft.
In 2007, the defense was first against the rush (70.6 yards), fourth for quarterback sacks (3.4 per game), sixth for tackles-for-loss (8.2) and eighth for total defense (306.2). Eleven players earned postseason honors and linebacker Joey LaRocque was drafted by the Chicago Bears. Following the season he and head coach Mike Riley, offensive coordinator Danny Langsdorf and offensive line coach Mike Cavanaugh served on the coaching staff at the Hula Bowl.
His 2006 team led the Pac-10 and finished third for quarterback sacks, was the conference leader for red-zone defense and led the nation for tackles-for-loss yardage (528). The team also produced four all-conference players, including first team honoree Sabby Piscitelli, one of the best safeties to ever play at OSU. Piscitelli went on to be drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
In 2005 the team ranked fourth in the Pac-10 for total defense, including leading the conference and finishing 17th for rush defense (108.0). Following the season linebacker Keith Ellison was drafted by the Buffalo Bills.
His 2004 unit led the Pac-10 Conference for pass efficiency defense (100.9/8th in NCAA) and ranked second for passing yards allowed (196.0), total defense (313.3), third down conversion defense (29.4%) and red zone defense (71.7%). This coming after the 2003 team posted similar numbers and rankings.
Banker first stepped onto the OSU campus in 1997 with Riley, and has spent 17 of the last 18 seasons with him. He spent two years at OSU as the secondary coach and recruiting coordinator. The ’97 Beavers ranked among the Pac-10’s best for interceptions with 16 and Banker helped the program finish sixth in the league for pass defense. Cornerback Basheer Elahee ranked tied for third in the league in ’97 for pass breakups (12) and safety Andrae Holland led the league in ’98 in the breakup category with 22. Banker also had the opportunity to recruit and coach a young player by the name of Dennis Weathersby, who went on to become an All-American cornerback.
Banker began his coaching career in 1979 as a graduate assistant for his alma mater, Springfield College in Massachusetts. He spent two years at Springfield, one as an offensive line coach and one as running backs coach, before embarking on a full-time career.
His first full-time opportunity came at Cal State-Northridge in 1981. He remained with the Matador program until 1994, serving 11 years as defensive coordinator. When he first arrived at CSUN the program had just 11 scholarships; when he left the program sponsored 54.
In 1995 he moved to the Football Bowl Subdivision (Div. 1) ranks at the University of Hawai’i as the outside linebackers and special teams coach. In 1996 he joined the University of Southern California staff, joining offensive coordinator Mike Riley.
Following his first tenure at Oregon State, Banker went with most of the coaching staff to San Diego to work for the Chargers. He was promoted to defensive coordinator in 2001 after serving two seasons as the cornerbacks coach. As the coordinator the Chargers ranked 11th in the league for total defense and first for rush defense average.
Banker earned three letters as a running back at Springfield, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in physical education. He is a high school graduate of Plymouth-Carver in Massachusetts, where he earned a total of 11 letters in football, hockey and baseball.
Mark and his wife Debbie have three children; Chris, Jayme and Kelsey.
BANKER PROFILE
Assignment: Defensive Coordinator
Recruiting Area: San Fernando Valley/Hawai’i
Year at OSU: 14th Age: 58
Hometown: Plymouth, Massachusetts
Education: Bachelor’s in Physical Education from Springfield College (1978), Plymouth-Carver High School (1974)
Wife: Debbie
Children: Chris, Jayme and Kelsey
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Springfield College, 1979-80 (OL/RB); Cal State Northridge, 1981-94 (Def. Coord.); Hawai’i, 1995 (OLB/Spec. Teams); USC, 1996; Oregon State, 1997-98 (Secondary/Recruiting Coordinator); San Diego (NFL), 1999-2001 (Def. Coord.); Stanford, 2002; Oregon State, 2003-present (Def. Coord.)
OSU HIGHLIGHTS
2013
Scott Crichton (DE) – Pac-12 Second Team/3rd round Draft pick of Minnesota
Rashaad Reynolds (CB) – Pac-12 Second Team
Steven Nelson (CB) – Pac-12 Honorable Mention
Ryan Murphy (S) –Pac-12 Honorable Mention
Interceptions (19) – Tied for 6th in NCAA
Sheraton Hawai’i Bowl Champions
2012
Jordan Poyer (CB) -- Pac-12 First Team/Consensus All-America
Scott Crichton (DE) – Pac-12 First Team
Andrew Seumalo (DT) – Pac-12 Honorable Mention
Rashaad Reynolds (CB) – Pac-12 Honorable Mention
Total Defense (354 yds p/g) – 3rd in Pac-12
Scoring Defense (20.6 pts) – 2nd in Pac-12
3rd-Down Pct. Defense (29.3%) – 6th in NCAA
2011
Jordan Poyer (CB) – Pac-12 Second Team
Scott Crichton (DE), Lance Mitchell (S) – Pac-12 Honorable Mention
Brandon Hardin (CB) – 3rd round Draft pick by Chicago
2010
Stephen Paea (DT) –Pac-10 First Team/Morris Trophy co-recipient
Devin Unga, Dwight Roberson, Jordan Poyer, Gabe Miller, James Dockery, Keith Pankey – Pac-12 HM
2009
Rush Defense (114.4) – 3rd in Pac-10
Stephen Paea (DT) – Pac-12 First Team/Morris Trophy co-recipient
Keaton Kristick (LB) – Pac-12 First Team
Dwight Roberson (LB), David Pa’aluhi (LB), Keith Pankey (LB) – Pac-10 HM
2008
Total Defense (312.2) – 2nd in Pac-10
Victor Butler (DE) –Pac-10 First Team/Sun Bowl MVP/4th round Draft pick by Dallas
Slade Norris (DE) – 4th round Draft pick by Oakland
Keenan Lewis (CB) – 3rd round Draft pick by Pittsburgh
Brandon Hughes – 5th round Draft pick by San Diego
Al Afalava (S) – 6th round Draft pick by Chicago
Eight Pac-10 selections
Only shutout during bowl season (3-0 vs. Pitt)
Sun Bowl Champions
2007
Rush Defense (70.6) – 1st in NCAA
QB Sacks – 4th in NCAA; Tackles-for-Loss – 6th in NCAA
Total Defense – 8th in NCAA
Dorian Smith (DE) –Pac-10 First Team
Joey LaRocque (LB) – 7th round Draft pick by Chicago
Nine Pac-10 selections
Emerald Bowl champions
2006
Quarterback Sacks – 1st in Pac-10/3rd in NCAA
Tackles for Loss – NCAA leader for lost yardage (528 yds)
First Shutout at OSU since 1983 (Idaho)
Sabby Piscitelli (SS) – Pac-10 First Team/2nd round Draft pick by Tampa Bay
Four Pac-10 selections
Sun Bowl champions
2005
Rush Defense (108.0) – 1st in Pac-10/17th in NCAA
Trent Bray (LB) –Pac-10 First Team
Keith Ellison (LB) –Pac-10 First Team/6th round Draft pick by Buffalo
Six Pac-10 selections
2004
Total Defense (313.3) – 2nd in Pac-10/18th in NCAA
Pass Efficiency Defense (100.9) – 1st/8th in NCAA
Pass Defense (196.0) -- 2nd in Pac-10
Rush Defense (117.3) – 3rd in Pac-10
Third Down Conversion (29.4%) – 2nd in Pac-10
Team Interceptions (19) – 2nd in Pac-10/T4th in NCAA
Red Zone Defense (71.7%) – 2nd in Pac-10
Bill Swancutt (DE) – Morris Trophy Recipient (Top Pac-10 D. Lineman)/Pat Tillman Co-Pac-10 Defensive MVP/6th round Draft pick by Detroit
Trent Bray (LB) – Insight Bowl Defensive MVP
Mitch Meeuwsen (FS) – Pac-10 First Team/3rd team AP All-American
Eight All-Pac-10 selections
Insight Bowl Champions
2003
Total Defense (288.7) – 1st in Pac-10/7th in NCAA
Passes Intercepted (20) – 3rd in Pac-10/T9th in NCAA
Pass Defense (204.3) – 2nd in Pac-10
Rush Defense (84.4) – 2nd in Pac-10/4th in NCAA
Brandon Browner (CB) -- Pac-10 Freshman of the Year
Dwan Edwards (DT) – Pac-10 Second Team/2nd round Draft pick of Baltimore
Richard Seigler (MLB) –Pac-10 First Team/HM All-American/4th round Draft pick of 49ers
Six All-Pac-10 selections
Las Vegas Bowl Champions
1998
Andrae Holland (CB) -- 1st in Pac-10 for breakups (22)
Armon Hatcher (SS) -- T3rd in Pac-10 for interceptions (5)
1997
Basheer Elahee (CB) -- 3rd in Pac-10 for breakups (12)
Andrae Holland (CB) – Pac-10 Honorable Mention
Terrence Carroll (FS) – 2nd Team Freshman All-American (The Sporting News)
Team forced 32 turnovers – 2nd in Pac-10.
