🏈 Thinking Caps: When/ who is the last defensive coordinator you can think of that made an immediate

[TerryP]

This got me thinking this afternoon.

And, I've only been able to come up with one example off the top of my head and I'm not sure it fits.

That example being when Spurrier hired Bob Stoops in 1996 when the Gators were a year removed from suffering a butt whipping in the Fiesta Bowl at the hands of Nebraska but came back and won the national title in 1996.

(Just reminded me of the arguments of the '96 year were a lot like those of '07 when LSU lost their last regular season game but got a shot in the NC game...UF lost late, not the last game but next to last, to Florida State.)

So, Stoops might be one - though there wasn't that much of an improvement in their defense.

They were allowing just under 21 points per game in '95 and in '96 allowed just over 18. A little improvement in their offense - up about 3 points a game (averaged right at 50)

Chizik came to mind at Texas. But, there was zero change in their defense. (allowed one more point in 2004 than in 2005) Only difference in 2004 and 2005 was their win versus an OU team that lost four that year (TCU, UCLA, Tx Tech and Tx.)

I'm trying to think of a hire, of a defensive coordinator, that literally changed the face of a football team his first season...

Who ya got?

 

[BAMAFSTBACK]

Pelini at Nebraska in 03 and 08.

 

[TerryP]

2003 is a great example. Nice one fastback!!

 

[bear facts]

Joe Lee Dunn's second tour of duty as defensive coordinator at University of Memphis in 2003.

Joe Lee Dunn, who served as defensive coordinator for the University of Memphis football team from 1989-91, returned to the Tigers in the same capacity in the spring of 2003. He was hired by Tommy West to take over and reconstruct the Tiger defense, and lived up to the task, moving the Memphis defense from near the bottom of the NCAA rankings to a top-10 finish in 2003.

The U of M, which was ranked 101st in the nation in rushing defense and 57th overall in 2002, climbed to 18th in rushing defense, 19th in pass defense and ninth in total defense in 2003.

quoted from UM Media Guide.

Joe Lee Dunn also resurrected Mississippi State's defense during his tenure there:

Dunn came to the U of M after having served as the defensive coordinator at Mississippi State University from 1996 through 2002. For seven seasons, Dunn directed a Bulldog defense that was consistently ranked among the nation’s elite . . . his 2000 MSU defense was ranked second in the SEC and 13th nationally in rushing defense and scored an amazing eight touchdowns. The 1999 Bulldog defense led the nation in both rushing and total defense and was fourth in pass efficiency defense. Mississippi State finished sixth in scoring defense and allowed just 222.55 yards per game in total defense. Dunn was a finalist for the Broyles Award, which is presented annually to the nation’s top
assistant coach.

When Dunn arrived at Mississippi State, his defense ranked near the bottom of the SEC in nearly every defensive category, but with each passing season, his units showed improvement. In 1998, State’s defensive unit featured the SEC regular season sack leader in end Edward Smith, who registered 12 quarterback sacks. MSU was the last Division 1-A defense in the nation to allow a touchdown through the air in 1998 and scored five defensive touchdowns throughout the campaign. The defense helped MSU win the Western Division title and gain a berth in the SEC Championship game.

In 1996, Dunn’s defense broke the school record for quarterback sacks in a single season with 39. Prior to his arrival at Mississippi State, Dunn served one year as defensive coordinator at Arkansas, where his Razorback unit finished first in the SEC and fifth nationally against the run. He helped lead Arkansas to the 1995 SEC Western Division title.

 

[TerryP]

That's a blast from the past factor.

I enjoyed watching Joe Lee's defenses - and he's another good example.

 

[Perdido Tide]

Probably going to be able to add John Chavis after this year. Then again, you could probably list every coach if if they were hired for the same job.

 

[TerryP]

Probably going to be able to add John Chavis after this year. Then again, you could probably list every coach if if they were hired for the same job.

Two thoughts:

1- That's what led to this thread...thinking about Chavis.

2- If your last sentence was correct, why the change in coordinators?

OK, three. I thought the defensive woes were in large part due to the QB play. :nana:

 

[Tider27]

Two thoughts:

1- That's what led to this thread...thinking about Chavis.

2- If your last sentence was correct, why the change in coordinators?

OK, three. I thought the defensive woes were in large part due to the QB play. :nana:

Knew this was about Chavis and I honestly don't see how they could get much worse. It won't be hard for him to make some kind of improvement for LSU's defense, but the Tiggah fans better hope Jefferson is their answer. I agree it had a lot to do with their horrible production from the QB last season. I'm actually pretty confident that Jefferson is NOT going to be their answer. Wouldn't surprise me at all if Shepard is starting by mid-season.

 

[It Takes Eleven]

Carl Torbush, 2001. He turned Rohan Davey into Dan Marino.

 

[Perdido Tide]

OK, three. I thought the defensive woes were in large part due to the QB play. :nana:

I obviously have no idea what was said at practices but I think there was (is) too much talent there last year for the regression we saw. The secondary was extremely undisciplined.

 

[BAMAFSTBACK]

took two years to develop, but we were nothing in 05 with out Joe Kines' defense.

 

[TerryP]

I obviously have no idea what was said at practices but I think there was (is) too much talent there last year for the regression we saw. The secondary was extremely undisciplined.

Now you've gone and voiced my point for me.

UT was a team that really didn't have a lack of talent on defense. But, I thought it was a fundamentally undisciplined group.

One example, and we can use two games as cases to point to, was seeing 3-4 defenders being dragged down the field by Julio...saw that in Knoxville and in Baton Rouge.

Is that a Chavis trait? To me, it seems there is sufficient evidence to support it; at least suspect it.

You might know this. Just how much of spring camp was spent working on those disciplined play deficiencies?

A lot of questions in my mind about how things come together down there this season. And, there are strings, for lack of a better expression, that seem to tie/connect reasons for suspicions.

 

[reger60]

Carl Torbush, 2001. He turned Rohan Davey into Dan Marino.

Good one.:lol:

 

[Perdido Tide]

One example, and we can use two games as cases to point to, was seeing 3-4 defenders being dragged down the field by Julio...saw that in Knoxville and in Baton Rouge.

Is that a Chavis trait? To me, it seems there is sufficient evidence to support it; at least suspect it.

I think that is more of Julio being a beast. You know that we as fans some fans want to believe everything is about coaching but in reality it is almost all about talent.

"Wow, Rolando made a great tackle. Hes definitely been in CNS's S&C program for a year." Beneficial? No doubt. But having a better defensive line was probably more crucial.

Point is, a Tennessee defender that had to be on the field all game because of his poor offense during a losing season had to be mentally and physically tired. When you're unmotivated things like that happen.

You might know this. Just how much of spring camp was spent working on those disciplined play deficiencies?

Most of it. Chavis is not very multiple so going back to the basics wasn't difficult.

 

[TerryP]

Most of it. Chavis is not very multiple so going back to the basics wasn't difficult.

Do I recall correctly reading something about him going to quarters/4-deep zone in the defensive secondary?

 

[alagator]

Do I recall correctly reading something about him going to quarters/4-deep zone in the defensive secondary?

Would this have been last year at UT or now at LSU?

A Blue Coverage (this is what a Deep Quarter package was called in my day) is the epitome of a 'bend-but-don't-break' package. It funnels everything in front of you and requires a huge bust by a DB to allow any deep ball (or even a really long run - like say 40 yards).

But it has two glaring weaknesses that even moderately successful modern day college QBs can exploit. You can cover one of the weaknesses but when you choose one the other is there for all to see.

Blue Coverage leaves only seven players to defend the front half of the defense (LOS + 25 yards) AND rush the passer. Cover the front half with four and you only have three to rush and the QB will have too much time on a consistent basis (not to mention allow him to develop a sense of security that only enhances confidence). Rush four and you only have three to cover the front half - which leaves too many holes for a receiver to find and sit in (secondaries can cover the width of the field with only three because of further from the LOS the longer time it takes for the ball to arrive - not true for the nearer zones).

If Chavez is intalling a base package of quarter zone coverage at LSU, I am a lot more confident in the chances of both UA and UF to win their games against the Bengals, regardless of where the games are played. And have a greater buy-in into the idea that Miles is looney. The LSU fans will go bonkers seeing such a passive defensive approach after having seen Saban institute his fly over the field style (and Miles continuing that style for three or four years). And, after thinking back on the LSU defense last year, I recall that they were a little more passive than in the past - something I did not notice so much at the time. So maybe this is an instance of Miles' core belief being put into practice as his tenure lengthens at LSU. Do not know, just thinking out loud.

 

[TerryP]

Would this have been last year at UT or now at LSU?

A Blue Coverage (this is what a Deep Quarter package was called in my day) is the epitome of a 'bend-but-don't-break' package. It funnels everything in front of you and requires a huge bust by a DB to allow any deep ball (or even a really long run - like say 40 yards).

But it has two glaring weaknesses that even moderately successful modern day college QBs can exploit. You can cover one of the weaknesses but when you choose one the other is there for all to see.

Blue Coverage leaves only seven players to defend the front half of the defense (LOS + 25 yards) AND rush the passer. Cover the front half with four and you only have three to rush and the QB will have too much time on a consistent basis (not to mention allow him to develop a sense of security that only enhances confidence). Rush four and you only have three to cover the front half - which leaves too many holes for a receiver to find and sit in (secondaries can cover the width of the field with only three because of further from the LOS the longer time it takes for the ball to arrive - not true for the nearer zones).

If Chavez is intalling a base package of quarter zone coverage at LSU, I am a lot more confident in the chances of both UA and UF to win their games against the Bengals, regardless of where the games are played. And have a greater buy-in into the idea that Miles is looney. The LSU fans will go bonkers seeing such a passive defensive approach after having seen Saban institute his fly over the field style (and Miles continuing that style for three or four years). And, after thinking back on the LSU defense last year, I recall that they were a little more passive than in the past - something I did not notice so much at the time. So maybe this is an instance of Miles' core belief being put into practice as his tenure lengthens at LSU. Do not know, just thinking out loud.

Thanks for taking the time to type that out Tim. I didn't think about the possibility the terminology might have been confusing to some that don't follow the game closely.

Excellent work.

Your first sentence is the reason I asked the question. I think I recall Chavis going with a quarters type approach in their secondary. But, I can't recall where I read that...and thus, can't recall how much credibility it contained.

 

[Perdido Tide]

Thanks for taking the time to type that out Tim. I didn't think about the possibility the terminology might have been confusing to some that don't follow the game closely.

Excellent work.

Your first sentence is the reason I asked the question. I think I recall Chavis going with a quarters type approach in their secondary. But, I can't recall where I read that...and thus, can't recall how much credibility it contained.

Agreed, nice write up, Alagator. To answer your question I honestly do not know. I do know he uses base 4-3 for most of the game without going into much Nickel, if any.

 

[TerryP]

Agreed, nice write up, Alagator. To answer your question I honestly do not know. I do know he uses base 4-3 for most of the game without going into much Nickel, if any.

Yah, that I knew.

It seems like I recall reading something in the spring about this...but, can't remember.

Off the top of my head it seems like UT used a cover 3 sometimes last season. But, with that thought I had to include the presence of Berry in that secondary roaming...

----

I've officially derailed my own thread.

 

[BamaDelta]

Don't have the stats (I'm not a "stats poster" :smile but wouldn't Muschamp be on the list with Auburn?