Defensive Coordinators, Year 3

[TheCusian]

I was curious about how our last 3 DC's did in their 3rd year. It seems like we're still grumbling about Ward, so thought it would be interesting to see how he stacks up. It's not a deep dive or anything. And obviously Shafer was pretty good right from the get go and prob overall the best DC we've had in that time.

Shafer 2011
Def S&P+: #63
Rushing Def S&P+: #54
Passing Def S&P+: #67
Sack Rate: Not listed, wish it was

Bullough 2015
Def S&P+: #66
Rushing Def S&P+: #90
Passing Def S&P+: #111
Sack Rate: #24

Ward 2018
Def S&P+: #62
Rushing Def S&P+: #101
Passing Def S&P+: #32
Sack Rate: #17

 

[PAcuse]

Ward has had a tough job on playing with undersized hyper blitz personnel. Now that we are starting to see ACC level talent take over on defense I only expect him to get better and better.

 

[TheCusian]

Ward has had a tough job on playing with undersized hyper blitz personnel. Now that we are starting to see ACC level talent take over on defense I only expect him to get better and better.

Yeah, I agree. They are getting better every year too.

I'm kinda surprised at how good his D is vs the pass this year.

 

[Cusefan0307]

And so called smart people wanted Shafer back as DC.

 

[PAcuse]

Yeah, I agree. They are getting better every year too.

I'm kinda surprised at how good his D is vs the pass this year.

At the start of the year I was really worried about the pass D and when the WMU 3rd quarter happened I had visions of ACC WR running all of the secondary. I would say our DBs have been leaps and bounds better this year, going to be a real strength for the next 3 years and more I hope.

 

[djorange1989]

Yeah, I agree. They are getting better every year too.

I'm kinda surprised at how good his D is vs the pass this year.

this year is the first since Ward has been here that we have an actual pass rush. And, yes, the DBs are a lot better too.

 

[orange_in_VA]

I was curious about how our last 3 DC's did in their 3rd year. It seems like we're still grumbling about Ward, so thought it would be interesting to see how he stacks up. It's not a deep dive or anything. And obviously Shafer was pretty good right from the get go and prob overall the best DC we've had in that time.

Shafer 2011
Def S&P+: #63
Rushing Def S&P+: #54
Passing Def S&P+: #67
Sack Rate: Not listed, wish it was

Bullough 2015
Def S&P+: #66
Rushing Def S&P+: #90
Passing Def S&P+: #111
Sack Rate: #24

Ward 2018
Def S&P+: #62
Rushing Def S&P+: #101
Passing Def S&P+: #32
Sack Rate: #17

Ward's defense has gotten a little better each season. I'm not a big fan of his playcalling, but his defense is performing better each year. Stats don't lie. This team only needs to get into the top 60-70 in total and scoring defense to win a lot of games. The turnovers and sacks this year are helping mask a lot of bad defense, but I think it continues to get better with better athletes.

 

[nzm136]

Yeah, I agree. They are getting better every year too.

I'm kinda surprised at how good his D is vs the pass this year.

I think he’s underrated.

I’ve been repeatedly impressed w/ our D. Is it perfect? No. Is it surprisingly good? Absolutely!

 

[OttoinGrotto]

I still give Ward some side eye now and again.

 

[upperdeck]

if we are still sitting in this range at year end it will be job well done

 

[Crusty]

And so called smart people wanted Shafer back as DC.

I would take Shafer over Ward in a heartbeat.

 

[Cusefan0307]

I would take Shafer over Ward in a heartbeat.

I knew someone would bite.

 

[tep624]

I was curious about how our last 3 DC's did in their 3rd year. It seems like we're still grumbling about Ward, so thought it would be interesting to see how he stacks up. It's not a deep dive or anything. And obviously Shafer was pretty good right from the get go and prob overall the best DC we've had in that time.

Shafer 2011
Def S&P+: #63
Rushing Def S&P+: #54
Passing Def S&P+: #67
Sack Rate: Not listed, wish it was

Bullough 2015
Def S&P+: #66
Rushing Def S&P+: #90
Passing Def S&P+: #111
Sack Rate: #24

Ward 2018
Def S&P+: #62
Rushing Def S&P+: #101
Passing Def S&P+: #32
Sack Rate: #17

2011 was the year that Marjinovich was playing significantly hurt the entire second half of the season because we had no other options. I'd say that from a depth perspective, outside of LB Ward probably has more to work with.

 

[PhatOrange]

What’s the scoring D ?

And what’s the scoring D not including special teams or returns? Both Pitt and UNC scored tds with D and specials

 

[shu 49]

I still give Ward some side eye now and again.

More of the wtfffff look what the frig

 

[Ish88888]

I would take Shafer over Ward in a heartbeat.

Its not even close. Ward is given a chance only in one of the highest tempo offenses in the country.

 

[Chip]

if we are still sitting in this range at year end it will be job well done

Yep. That’s the key. Last year things were looking pretty good if it was only a 2 month season instead of 3. We’ll find out if the depth is better.

Wake and Louisville offenses are worse this year too. ND is good and balanced. BC is a matchup nightmare.

 

[Cusefan0307]

Shafers defenses were so great that his best team gave up 48 to a 5-7 Northwestern team and 56 to Georgia Tech because he had zero idea how to stop the option. Then his last year here we were absolutely shredded every game.

 

[TheCusian]

Its not even close. Ward is given a chance only in one of the highest tempo offenses in the country.

This makes no sense. It's *harder* to be a defensive coordinator in this philosophy. You're defending more possessions.

 

[IthacaBarrel]

Shafers defenses were so great that his best team gave up 48 to a 5-7 Northwestern team and 56 to Georgia Tech because he had zero idea how to stop the option. Then his last year here we were absolutely shredded every game.

Think he's talking when he was DC under Marrone. He was fine under Marrone but got worse as he lost talent. Hogue and Smith were pretty good backers as well as C Jones and a few others

 

[Cusefan0307]

Think he's talking when he was DC under Marrone. He was fine under Marrone but got worse as he lost talent. Hogue and Smith were pretty good backers as well as C Jones and a few others

Yeah i gathered that, but it's also a reason why it's hard to judge Ward when we are just starting to play guys this staff recruited. The first 2 years we were playing shafers smurfs.

 

[cusefan88]

Someone mentioned this in another thread but Tyrell Richards ran down someone on maybe a punt return or some play from across the field.

That dude is going to be big-time. Reminds me of a play Shawn Crable (LB-Mich) made once.

 

[TheCusian]

What’s the scoring D ?

And what’s the scoring D not including special teams or returns? Both Pitt and UNC scored tds with D and specials

These are not opponent adjusted, just straight #'s. (I'd bet Bullough had the toughest SoS, then Ward, then Shafer, IMO)

Ward 2018
Scoring D: #68, 26.9
Yards per Play: #83, 5.72

Bullough 2015
Scoring D: #90, 31.0
Yards per Play: #106, 6.21

Shafer 2011
Scoring D: #73, 28.5
Yards per Play: #59, 5.45

 

[OrangeFoo]

And so called smart people wanted Shafer back as DC.

Shafer’s big problem was that he had no idea how to stop a running qb... still have nightmares about some otherwise mediocre qb cutting through our d like a knife through hot butter. His other problem is that he he had no clue how to recruit ACC level secondaries . Never got his strategy of slow and short... I think that’s one area this group seems solid on recruiting.

 

[CousCuse]

Shafers defenses were so great that his best team gave up 48 to a 5-7 Northwestern team and 56 to Georgia Tech because he had zero idea how to stop the option. Then his last year here we were absolutely shredded every game.

This defense is lucky they won't face GTech this year or they might give up 1000 yards rushing.