4. Bob Shoop, Tennessee defensive coordinator
Primary concern: Develop a defense that closes games
During a recent visit, one of Tennessee’s defensive assistants was still lamenting the close losses in 2015 against Oklahoma, Florida and Alabama.
Most fans pin the defeats primarily on a lack of a downfield passing game, but the defensive staff took to heart some of the late-game gaffes, especially the fourth-and-long touchdown against Florida.
Shoop, whose defenses at Penn State and Vanderbilt have been in the top 14 the past five seasons, has received rave reviews from other coaches and from Tennessee’s players. He’s a no-nonsense disciplinarian, but players love the idea of his blitz-heavy scheme.
Getting to the quarterback, or at least pressuring him, is Shoop’s best attack plan for closing games. Watch for a jump, in particular, along the defensive line.
Kahlil McKenzie, Shy Tuttle and juco Jonathan Kongbo have the earmarks of being among the most disruptive D-tackle group in the SEC.
5. Jeremy Pruitt, Alabama defensive coordinator & Don Brown, Michigandefensive coordinator
Primary concern: Meshing with the staff, head coach
After mostly successful stints at FSU and Georgia, Pruitt returns to Alabama’s staff.
With Jonathan Allen, Tim Williams and Reuben Foster spurning the NFL, in addition to what was already returning from last season’s second-ranked Bama defense, Pruitt’s inheritance is quite rich. There’s essentially a don’t-rock-the-boat mentality when it comes to the coordinator move.
Some coaches have told Insider that they wonder about staff chemistry in Tuscaloosa. Pruitt is known as an outspoken assistant, a trait that coaches say manifested itself more and more as his influence increased in roles at Florida State and Georgia.
Can he play the proper role in Nick Saban’s meeting rooms and work with Saban to coach the defense?
“If Lane [Kiffin] can, I’m sure he can,” an SEC assistant said, laughing.
In Brown’s case, coaches see his outspokenness as more of a plus than a concern. They think Brown, who is both quirky and excellent in coaching X’s and O’s, is a terrific fit with college coaching’s current outlaw, Jim Harbaugh.
Bringing the “be a dude” mentality from Boston College, Brown can expect an experienced, talented group to be a top-5-type defense in 2016. After all, his Eagles D was No. 1 in 2015 in yards per play against.
Primary concern: Develop a defense that closes games
During a recent visit, one of Tennessee’s defensive assistants was still lamenting the close losses in 2015 against Oklahoma, Florida and Alabama.
Most fans pin the defeats primarily on a lack of a downfield passing game, but the defensive staff took to heart some of the late-game gaffes, especially the fourth-and-long touchdown against Florida.
Shoop, whose defenses at Penn State and Vanderbilt have been in the top 14 the past five seasons, has received rave reviews from other coaches and from Tennessee’s players. He’s a no-nonsense disciplinarian, but players love the idea of his blitz-heavy scheme.
Getting to the quarterback, or at least pressuring him, is Shoop’s best attack plan for closing games. Watch for a jump, in particular, along the defensive line.
Kahlil McKenzie, Shy Tuttle and juco Jonathan Kongbo have the earmarks of being among the most disruptive D-tackle group in the SEC.
5. Jeremy Pruitt, Alabama defensive coordinator & Don Brown, Michigandefensive coordinator
Primary concern: Meshing with the staff, head coach
After mostly successful stints at FSU and Georgia, Pruitt returns to Alabama’s staff.
With Jonathan Allen, Tim Williams and Reuben Foster spurning the NFL, in addition to what was already returning from last season’s second-ranked Bama defense, Pruitt’s inheritance is quite rich. There’s essentially a don’t-rock-the-boat mentality when it comes to the coordinator move.
Some coaches have told Insider that they wonder about staff chemistry in Tuscaloosa. Pruitt is known as an outspoken assistant, a trait that coaches say manifested itself more and more as his influence increased in roles at Florida State and Georgia.
Can he play the proper role in Nick Saban’s meeting rooms and work with Saban to coach the defense?
“If Lane [Kiffin] can, I’m sure he can,” an SEC assistant said, laughing.
In Brown’s case, coaches see his outspokenness as more of a plus than a concern. They think Brown, who is both quirky and excellent in coaching X’s and O’s, is a terrific fit with college coaching’s current outlaw, Jim Harbaugh.
Bringing the “be a dude” mentality from Boston College, Brown can expect an experienced, talented group to be a top-5-type defense in 2016. After all, his Eagles D was No. 1 in 2015 in yards per play against.
