Defensive Coordinator talk...

[Wethydrant]

Is there any new word on our DC search? I know about the winter meetings next week (?) and wondered if anyone has heard for sure if we are waiting on someone or going to promote from within. Also, name several guys that you believe would come and would make our defense stout.

1. Brick Haley (Has to know plenty about SEC defense...also, would help with LA recruting and he always seems to have a great D-Line at LSU)

2. Manny Diaz (Seems to be the sentimental choice from MTSU because he is young, energetic, aggressive, and not scared)

3. Dick Bumphas (Yes, Gary Patterson put together TCU's defense, but as the understudy, Bumphas had to have learned a lot. Also, most guys don't put inept people into leadership positions so Patterson must know something.)

4. Tim DeRuyter (This is my pick. Led Air Force to a temendous season as the ninth ranked defense in the entire nation. Air Force was last in their conference the year before he took over in defense. He finished middle of the pack his first year, and has made them a top 10 defense by his third year. Surely a guy would want an opportunity to prove himself in the SEC. They also shut down U of Houston with Air Force players in the Bowl Game)

 

[Curly Bill]

I don't think you'll see it get much worse than this year. I think Torbush was lower than average, but I think the lack of decent defensive back talent and speed is what cost us the most. Now that we've somewhat got that fixed, just about anybody will be alright, as long as it's not a stupid hire like Willie Martinez.

 

[youngster]

Is there any new word on our DC search? I know about the winter meetings next week (?) and wondered if anyone has heard for sure if we are waiting on someone or going to promote from within. Also, name several guys that you believe would come and would make our defense stout.

1. Brick Haley (Has to know plenty about SEC defense...also, would help with LA recruting and he always seems to have a great D-Line at LSU)

2. Manny Diaz (Seems to be the sentimental choice from MTSU because he is young, energetic, aggressive, and not scared)

3. Dick Bumphas (Yes, Gary Patterson put together TCU's defense, but as the understudy, Bumphas had to have learned a lot. Also, most guys don't put inept people into leadership positions so Patterson must know something.)

4. Tim DeRuyter (This is my pick. Led Air Force to a temendous season as the ninth ranked defense in the entire nation. Air Force was last in their conference the year before he took over in defense. He finished middle of the pack his first year, and has made them a top 10 defense by his third year. Surely a guy would want an opportunity to prove himself in the SEC. They also shut down U of Houston with Air Force players in the Bowl Game)

 

[MSUbravesfan]

nm

 

[Todd4State]

I still can't see us simply hiring a LB coach and then hiring from within. I think he's scarred from Croom.

I can't see that happening with guys like Jon Tenuta out there.

 

[RobbieRandolph]

Do you blame ND's horrific defense this past year on Tenuta's schemes or the lack of playmakers on the defensive side (more Weis' recruiting fault) or a mix of the 2?

 

[Todd4State]

Do you blame ND's horrific defense this past year on Tenuta's schemes or the lack of playmakers on the defensive side (more Weis' recruiting fault)
or a mix of the 2?

I didn't keep up with ND too much, but I do know that they allegedly had as lack of players on defense, so I'm going with that. I know that Tenuta is well resepcted as a DC, and they paid well to get him. If we have to take a chance on him, so be it. We may very well get a very good DC at a bargain price.

And when I mentioned Tenuta I'll say this- he is not my first choice, but my point was simply that we shouldn't have to hire from within. Tenuta would essentially have some of the same concerns as Torbush, with the exception that his defensive philosophy is more aggressive.