Mark Banker Hometown: Plymouth, Massachusetts High School: Springfield Position: Defensive Coordinator Alma Mater: Springfield (MA)

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 10th year as defensive coordinator, has had over 50 players earn postseason All-Conference honors.

In 2011, Banker's defense produced freshman All-American defensive ends Scott Crichton and Dylan Wynn, 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 earning his second Morris Trophy honor, presented annually to league's top defensive lineman. Paea also earned consensus 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 17^th 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 (100.9/8^th 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 15 of the last 16 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 11^th 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/California Central Coast/Hawai'i

Year at OSU:12^th

Age: 56

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); San Diego (NFL), 1999-2001 (Def. Coord.); Stanford, 2002; Oregon State, 2003-present (Def. Coord.)

OSU HIGHLIGHTS

2010

Stephen Paea (DT) - 1^st Team Pac-10/Morris Trophy co-recipient

Devin Unga, Dwight Roberson, Jordan Poyer, Gabe Miller, James Dockery, Keith Pankey -- HM All-Pac-10.

2009

Rush Defense (114.4) - 3^rd in Pac-10

Stephen Paea (DT) - 1^st Team Pac-10/Morris Trophy co-recipient

Keaton Kristick (LB) - 1^st Team Pac-10

Dwight Roberson (LB), David Pa'aluhi (LB), Keith Pankey (LB) - HM All-Pac-10.

2008

Total Defense (312.2) - 2^nd in Pac-10

Victor Butler (DE) - 1^st Team Pac-10/Sun Bowl MVP/4^th round Draft pick by Dallas

Slade Norris (DE) - 4^th round Draft pick by Oakland

Keenan Lewis (CB) - 3^rd round Draft pick by Pittsburgh

Brandon Hughes - 5^th round Draft pick by San Diego

Al Afalava (S) - 6^th 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) - 1^st in NCAA

QB Sacks - 4^th in NCAA; Tackles-for-Loss - 6^th in NCAA

Total Defense - 8^th in NCAA

Dorian Smith (DE) - 1^st Team Pac-10

Joey LaRocque (LB) - 7^th round Draft pick by Chicago

Nine Pac-10 selections

Emerald Bowl champions

2006

Quarterback Sacks - 1^st in Pac-10/3^rd in NCAA

Tackles for Loss - NCAA leader for lost yardage (528 yds)

First Shutout at OSU since 1983 (Idaho)

Sabby Piscitelli (SS) - 1^st Team Pac-10/2^nd round Draft pick by Tampa Bay

Four Pac-10 selections

Sun Bowl champions

2005

Rush Defense (108.0) - 1^st in Pac-10/17^th in NCAA

Trent Bray (LB) - 1^st Team Pac-10

Keith Ellison (LB) - 1^st Team Pac-10/6^th round Draft pick by Buffalo

Six Pac-10 selections

2004

Total Defense (313.3) - 2^nd in Pac-10/18^th in NCAA

Pass Efficiency Defense (100.9) - 1^st/8^th in NCAA

Pass Defense (196.0) -- 2^nd in Pac-10

Rush Defense (117.3) - 3^rd in Pac-10

Third Down Conversion (29.4%) - 2^nd in Pac-10

Team Interceptions (19) - 2^nd in Pac-10/T4th in NCAA

Red Zone Defense (71.7%) - 2^nd in Pac-10

Bill Swancutt (DE) - Morris Trophy Recipient (Top Pac-10 D. Lineman)/Pat Tillman Co-Pac-10 Defensive MVP/6^th round Draft pick by Detroit

Trent Bray (LB) - Insight Bowl Defensive MVP

Mitch Meeuwsen (FS) - 1st Team All-Pac-10/3^rd team AP All-American

Eight All-Pac-10 selections

Insight Bowl Champions

2003

Total Defense (288.7) - 1^st in Pac-10/7^th in NCAA

Passes Intercepted (20) - 3^rd in Pac-10/T9th in NCAA

Pass Defense (204.3) - 2^nd in Pac-10

Rush Defense (84.4) - 2^nd in Pac-10/4^th in NCAA

Brandon Browner (CB) -- Pac-10 Freshman of the Year

Dwan Edwards (DT) - 2^nd team Pac-10/2^nd round Draft pick of Baltimore

Richard Seigler (MLB) - 1^st Team Pac-10/HM All-American/4^th round Draft pick of 49ers

Six All-Pac-10 selections

Las Vegas Bowl Champions

1998

Andrae Holland (CB) -- 1^st in Pac-10 for breakups (22)

Armon Hatcher (SS) -- T3^rd in Pac-10 for interceptions (5)

1997

Basheer Elahee (CB) -- 3^rd in Pac-10 for breakups (12)

Andrae Holland (CB) - HM Pac-10

Terrence Carroll (FS) - 2^nd Team Freshman All-American (The Sporting News)

Team forced 32 turnovers - 2^nd in Pac-10.

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); San Diego (NFL), 1999-2001 (Def. Coord.); Stanford, 2002; Oregon State, 2003-present (Def. Coord.)