Ephraim Banda‘s rise in the coaching world continues to gain momentum. The Browns’ safeties coach, who has only been in the NFL for two years, is already receiving his first defensive coordinator interview. According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, Banda is set to meet with the Colts about their open DC position.
Banda’s journey is one of resilience and determination. A high school athlete who turned down smaller scholarship offers, he initially worked as a bartender while attending school in San Antonio and staying in football shape by playing in amateur leagues. In 2007, he got his big break when Incarnate Word started a football program, and despite being 25 and not on scholarship, he walked on while continuing to bartend.
A knee injury cut his playing career short, but Banda didn’t give up on his dream. He worked as a student assistant at Incarnate Word while completing his degree and later earned a graduate assistant role at the University of Texas through a recommendation. At Texas, Banda met defensive coordinator Manny Diaz, and their relationship would lead Banda to Starkville, Mississippi, where he worked as a defensive quality control coach at Mississippi State.
Banda then moved to Miami, where he served as safeties coach and later co-defensive coordinator. After coaching at Utah State for two years, Banda made the jump to the NFL, joining the Browns under Jim Schwartz. During his time in Cleveland, Banda’s safeties have excelled, with the team finishing first in passing defense in 2023 and 12th in 2024.
The Colts, under general manager Chris Ballard, are known for valuing an aggressive defensive approach, which could shape their search for a new coordinator. Along with Banda’s potential candidacy for DC, his interview could also serve as a chance for the defensive backs coaching role, should he not land the coordinator position.
At 43, Banda’s rapid progress through the coaching ranks makes him a name to watch in the years ahead.
