Ok, here's an elementary level refreshment on the terminology changes and the overall scheme... Most are probably well aware of these at this point (and we've covered them multiple times since Wommack's hire), but here's a bit of an all-encompassing breakdown on the basics again for those who missed the other posts or maybe didn't fully understand the previous explanations...
The 4-2-5 Swarm defense Kane Wommack runs is an evolution from the 4-2-5 version that his dad Dave Wommack ran (and helped design) during his long coaching career (he retired after the 2016 season as the Ole Miss defensive coordinator under Hugh Freeze). If you want to get real technical, you could call it a 3-3-5 defense, but it's pointless getting lost in the numbers of it either way. A basic note on this defense which will aid in understanding other parts of it, is the defensive alignment isn't based on formation (where the TE lines up, for example), it's based on the field and the boundary (sideline). One advantage of that is, if a player goes into motion and flips the "strong" side, the defense doesn't have to make as many adjustments, since the strong side isn't determined by alignment (though there will be some occasions when this defense will revert to the more traditional way and base it off the offensive formation such as the TE or WR alignment).
As far as position names/terminology as it compares to Saban's more recent defense... Along the defensive line you'll still have the Nose Guard along with a Defensive Tackle. In addition, you'll have the Bandit (who was an Edge LB in Saban's defense), think strongside defensive end. Now, the 4th player along the line of scrimmage is considered a linebacker in this defense, a Wolf LB (formerly, a Jack, Sam, Edge). The Wolf is a pass rusher who also maintains some coverage responsibilities depending on calls, formations, etc. Behind them at the more "traditional" linebacker spots, we have the Mike LB (middle LB) and the Sting LB (weakside LB). On the back end of the defense you'll see the 2 cornerbacks, the Boundary CB (plays the side closest to the boundary) and the Field CB. The Rover (strong safety), Free Safety, and Huskey (Star, slot CB) will round out the defense. The Husky, in some ways, is like the Wolf of the backend... they will have some dynamic responsibilities. In most cases, the Bandit and Husky line up to the field side with the Wolf lined up to the boundary (or weak side).
Just some notes on some things to expect under this new scheme with Wommack...
-In terms of overall differences from Saban's defense to Wommack's... it isn't night and day changes. Think of it as the overall body is the same, but underneath, the skeleton has some significant differences. But if you're just looking at it on the surface, Saban's nickel defense (which pretty much became the base defense a while ago) and Wommack's 4-2-5, will look very similar when lined up.
-The defense line will be more aggressive... shooting gaps more as opposed to the gap-control defense we saw under Saban. Creating negative plays is the goal there, and gap shooting, stunts, etc. is the tool.
-The inside LB's will have more freedom, something they have even been saying publicly in interviews themselves. Again, the overall theme is to create negative plays in the run game and put pressure on the QB in the passing game... the LB's will be a huge part of that.
-The safeties will be heavily involved in blitz packages and moved around to give different looks, but the defensive backs as a whole will try to keep any home run plays from being hit. The flipside to that is, there will be opportunities underneath, more than we were used to seeing under a Saban defense, but in theory, we should also see fewer successful long ball plays against this defense.
-By design, this defense is less about containment and more about trying to create havoc in the offensive backfield. Sacks are great, but Saban used to preach, affecting the QB is just as important... This defense sets out to affect things behind the LOS, which often leads to positive things by other means.
-A staple of Wommack's defense is the physicality they play with. I hate the word physicality, but I'm not sure how else to describe it. He's an intense coach, a coach who knows how to reach his guys, and a guy who his players have full faith and trust in. That's a combo of things that has been missing some in recent years... though Steele was ok with it (his age just hurt him some). Point is, that stuff rubs off on his defense. It was a skill set that guys like Kirby and Pruitt had as well. And while I'm not putting Wommack on their level right now, having those traits in his DNA is huge, IMO.
-Pattern match coverage on defense will not go away completely, but will be much less prominent. When it worked under Saban, it was certainly beneficial... but most view it as outdated, and it certainly led to more than a few costly coverage busts over the years as well. I think we are likely to still see it in some cases (like against spread teams), but nothing like we saw under Saban. Overall, you’ll see much more zone, much less man to man coverage. Along those lines, that brings me to the next point...
-The defense overall is much easier to learn for players, especially for the defensive backs. This will mean younger players will see playing time earlier in their tenure. While Saban carried the pro mindset of not subbing guys as much as other coaches, there was also an issue that it took a lot of the younger players a long time to learn their assignments and earn the necessary trust. It wasn't by chance that when many Bama players got to the NFL, they adjusted right away... for many, the schemes were actually easier. However, while the assignments and overall scheme may be easier to pick up for younger players now, it's worth mentioning that from an athletic standpoint, this system requires players who don't lack speed and physicality. Overall, this is a Swiss Army style defense that's designed to adapt to how an opposing offense operates, but for it to work as intended, it needs those high level athletes who are able to do multiple things really well. The good news is, they should have very little trouble luring those types of athletes to Alabama... they've been doing it for years and continue to do so under the new staff.
-Lastly, this needs to be said... this defense isn't perfect. It will have issues and occasional breakdowns. The aggressive nature alone will lend itself to the propensity to give up big plays at times. Teams with good QB play will get hot some games and move the chains at a frustrating pace. There's pros and cons to all of it, even Saban's schemes. You'll remember, Saban owned Mike Leach's (who I still miss tremendously) offense... but was susceptible to a guy like Heupel (and I use those 2 specific examples for a reason). You'll see similar cases with this defense, there is no perfect scheme, especially with the ever-evolving offenses and dynamic skill players we are seeing these days.
The 4-2-5 Swarm defense Kane Wommack runs is an evolution from the 4-2-5 version that his dad Dave Wommack ran (and helped design) during his long coaching career (he retired after the 2016 season as the Ole Miss defensive coordinator under Hugh Freeze). If you want to get real technical, you could call it a 3-3-5 defense, but it's pointless getting lost in the numbers of it either way. A basic note on this defense which will aid in understanding other parts of it, is the defensive alignment isn't based on formation (where the TE lines up, for example), it's based on the field and the boundary (sideline). One advantage of that is, if a player goes into motion and flips the "strong" side, the defense doesn't have to make as many adjustments, since the strong side isn't determined by alignment (though there will be some occasions when this defense will revert to the more traditional way and base it off the offensive formation such as the TE or WR alignment).
As far as position names/terminology as it compares to Saban's more recent defense... Along the defensive line you'll still have the Nose Guard along with a Defensive Tackle. In addition, you'll have the Bandit (who was an Edge LB in Saban's defense), think strongside defensive end. Now, the 4th player along the line of scrimmage is considered a linebacker in this defense, a Wolf LB (formerly, a Jack, Sam, Edge). The Wolf is a pass rusher who also maintains some coverage responsibilities depending on calls, formations, etc. Behind them at the more "traditional" linebacker spots, we have the Mike LB (middle LB) and the Sting LB (weakside LB). On the back end of the defense you'll see the 2 cornerbacks, the Boundary CB (plays the side closest to the boundary) and the Field CB. The Rover (strong safety), Free Safety, and Huskey (Star, slot CB) will round out the defense. The Husky, in some ways, is like the Wolf of the backend... they will have some dynamic responsibilities. In most cases, the Bandit and Husky line up to the field side with the Wolf lined up to the boundary (or weak side).
Just some notes on some things to expect under this new scheme with Wommack...
-In terms of overall differences from Saban's defense to Wommack's... it isn't night and day changes. Think of it as the overall body is the same, but underneath, the skeleton has some significant differences. But if you're just looking at it on the surface, Saban's nickel defense (which pretty much became the base defense a while ago) and Wommack's 4-2-5, will look very similar when lined up.
-The defense line will be more aggressive... shooting gaps more as opposed to the gap-control defense we saw under Saban. Creating negative plays is the goal there, and gap shooting, stunts, etc. is the tool.
-The inside LB's will have more freedom, something they have even been saying publicly in interviews themselves. Again, the overall theme is to create negative plays in the run game and put pressure on the QB in the passing game... the LB's will be a huge part of that.
-The safeties will be heavily involved in blitz packages and moved around to give different looks, but the defensive backs as a whole will try to keep any home run plays from being hit. The flipside to that is, there will be opportunities underneath, more than we were used to seeing under a Saban defense, but in theory, we should also see fewer successful long ball plays against this defense.
-By design, this defense is less about containment and more about trying to create havoc in the offensive backfield. Sacks are great, but Saban used to preach, affecting the QB is just as important... This defense sets out to affect things behind the LOS, which often leads to positive things by other means.
-A staple of Wommack's defense is the physicality they play with. I hate the word physicality, but I'm not sure how else to describe it. He's an intense coach, a coach who knows how to reach his guys, and a guy who his players have full faith and trust in. That's a combo of things that has been missing some in recent years... though Steele was ok with it (his age just hurt him some). Point is, that stuff rubs off on his defense. It was a skill set that guys like Kirby and Pruitt had as well. And while I'm not putting Wommack on their level right now, having those traits in his DNA is huge, IMO.
-Pattern match coverage on defense will not go away completely, but will be much less prominent. When it worked under Saban, it was certainly beneficial... but most view it as outdated, and it certainly led to more than a few costly coverage busts over the years as well. I think we are likely to still see it in some cases (like against spread teams), but nothing like we saw under Saban. Overall, you’ll see much more zone, much less man to man coverage. Along those lines, that brings me to the next point...
-The defense overall is much easier to learn for players, especially for the defensive backs. This will mean younger players will see playing time earlier in their tenure. While Saban carried the pro mindset of not subbing guys as much as other coaches, there was also an issue that it took a lot of the younger players a long time to learn their assignments and earn the necessary trust. It wasn't by chance that when many Bama players got to the NFL, they adjusted right away... for many, the schemes were actually easier. However, while the assignments and overall scheme may be easier to pick up for younger players now, it's worth mentioning that from an athletic standpoint, this system requires players who don't lack speed and physicality. Overall, this is a Swiss Army style defense that's designed to adapt to how an opposing offense operates, but for it to work as intended, it needs those high level athletes who are able to do multiple things really well. The good news is, they should have very little trouble luring those types of athletes to Alabama... they've been doing it for years and continue to do so under the new staff.
-Lastly, this needs to be said... this defense isn't perfect. It will have issues and occasional breakdowns. The aggressive nature alone will lend itself to the propensity to give up big plays at times. Teams with good QB play will get hot some games and move the chains at a frustrating pace. There's pros and cons to all of it, even Saban's schemes. You'll remember, Saban owned Mike Leach's (who I still miss tremendously) offense... but was susceptible to a guy like Heupel (and I use those 2 specific examples for a reason). You'll see similar cases with this defense, there is no perfect scheme, especially with the ever-evolving offenses and dynamic skill players we are seeing these days.
