As I recall Wolford hired defensive coordinators that were experienced but had failed at their previous job. They came here and failed again. With salaries what they are in coaching today, assistants at most FBS schools make significantly more than our head coach, let alone our assistants. So we are in a spot where upcoming D2 or D3 assistants are where we have a chance at success. We can't attract really strong experienced candidates; can't afford them. Tressel was much the same. Remember our offensive coordinator, JK, who was the offensive coordinator in name only. Failed in future jobs. But also remember our D coordinators, an unproven Mark Dantonio or John Heacock, both of whom were really good. I think we need to develop coaches, but they need to be under the guidance of the head coach before letting them go and get what we have on D this year.
Our defense is a weak spot. It is either coaching or personnel. Injuries seem to be minimal this year on D. At the very least if we had a known weakness in personnel on D, we should have gotten help from the portal, much like we did at running back. In today's world of college athletics, I think the portal needs to be used to supplement what personnel weaknesses you have to be really good.
My observation is that the DL needs someone that forces a double team every single play. That will open it up for others to get in there and disrupt. This would take all of the pressure off of the secondary and the LB's.
We were very good against SIU because their OL wasn't very big. I bet that had a 265 lb OL and we were able to get past him and disrupt. It forced SIU to give him help, which freed up everyone else; the result was 7 sacks and no time to make great throws.
To me we need a special DL that is super disruptive against any team. That would help tremendously. That being said, I'm sure that we don't know our injury situation very well either. Who knows what ailments they are dealing with at this point.
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