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AFM Subscribers Ask...with Will Muschamp

by: Will Muschamp
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Last fall, under Defensive Coordinator Will Muschamp, Auburn led the Southeastern Conference in scoring defense and finished in the top 10 nationally in pass efficiency defense, total defense, pass defense, and scoring defense. Since then Muschamp has joined the Texas staff as DC and inherits a defense that set school records for passing yards (3,611) and total yards (4,825) surrendered in a season in 2007. While he has his work cut out for him, Muschamp has a proven track record of fixing defenses. Besides Auburn’s proficiency, Muschamp was the DC of the Miami Dolphins when they ranked second in the NFL in sacks (49) in 2005. He was also the DC of the LSU Tigers when they won the BCS National Championship in 2003. Last season, Muschamp was a finalist for the Frank Broyles Award given to the top assistant coach in college football. He answers your questions…

Which defense do you believe is best suited to defend the Spread offense and, specifically, the Zone Read? Why? Tim Millspaugh, Defensive Coordinator, Jay County High School, IN. AFM subscriber since 2003.

The important things your players have to remember as it relates to the Zone Read are their individual responsibilities. The Zone Read is option football and each player on defense has a different responsibility. To be effective they must know exactly what their assignment is. They have to be accountable and know what they’re doing. I’m not as concerned as to whether you run an odd or even front. You can defend the Spread in a number of ways. The best way is players knowing their specific roles. That way they’ll cancel the gaps.

You have experience in game planning week to week against the best teams in the land. Are there different elements of your game plan that do not change on a weekly basis? Are these fundamental qualities that you use to stop the explosive and speedy offenses you’ve seen in the SEC and now will see in the Big XII? Chris Polizzi, Assistant Coach, Central Methodist University, Fayette, MO. AFM subscriber since 2006.

We try to identify the strengths and weaknesses of our opponent each week and try to determine what we can do to take away what we believe will be part of their game plan. You see more and more situations where offenses are geared to get their best athletes the ball in space so they can make plays. I believe we’ll see that a lot in the Big XII this fall with a one back formation. But each week the element that doesn’t change is looking at tape and determining the strengths and weaknesses of our opponent.

How would you defend the double tight, double wing formation that is going to run the Delaware offense at you? I know that college teams don’t see the Delaware offense often but we see it all the time and the double wing is the toughest offense to defend. Bill Gorski, Assistant Coach, the Delbarton School, Morristown, NJ. AFM subscriber since 2004.

I haven’t seen the Delaware but I feel the more people you have in the box – against this offense – the better your chances for success. You always want to limit the chances of having your opponents’ best athletes in the open field. But, in defending this offense, having a large defensive front – 8 players or more in the box – would counter at lot of their gap running plays.

How has having to defend the Spread offense impacted your defensive philosophy/schemes, teaching in practice and play calling? Scott Braswell, Head Coach, Hoggard High School, Wilmington, NC. AFM subscriber since 2007.

With the Spread game becoming so popular it has become tougher and tougher for defenses to adjust. Based on the abilities of your opponent in running the spread, you’ll see 50 or so snaps a game in which their best athletes get the ball. The important element is your run defense and you have to tailor your defense – whatever it is – to what your kids do best. Fundamentally, as a football coach, you have to play to your players’ strengths. That is my philosophy as a defensive football coach.

In your view, what is the best secondary coverage to use in defending a high-powered passing attack? Steve Smith, Assistant Coach, John F. Kennedy High School, Fremont, CA. AFM subscriber since 2007.

The best defensive coverage against a strong passing attack is one that confuses the quarterback. Combinations of disguising your defense, blitzes, and stunts so that you’re unpredictable – play to play – is the best defense against a strong passing game. Cover 2 and Cover 4 may work in certain situations with split safeties but there’s nothing like a strong, effective four man rush to help your secondary.

In what ways have defenses and the concept of defensive schemes changed since you coached at Valdosta State? Are you seeing more trends? George Pomey, Assistant Coach, Washington High School, IA. AFM subscriber since 2007.

The game changes to some degree every year. You’re adding defenses that are popular one year and not the next. It could be an even front one season and an odd front the next. Same thing with playing man or zone. I think it’s all about what you believe in and what’s the best situation for you and your players. Again, as a coach, you should tailor your defense to the strengths of your players.

Coming Soon: Over the last 13 seasons, Duke has won a total of 22 games. Needless to say, new coach David Cutcliffe has his work cut out for him. Cutcliffe, over the past decade, tutored both Peyton and Eli Manning and had a six year record of 44-29 at Ole Miss. He comes to Durham from his position as Assistant HeadCoach and Offensive Coordinator at Tennessee. Next month Coach Cutcliffe answers your questions. Go to AmericanFootballMonthly.com or send your question to AFM’s Managing Editor Rex Lardner at rlardner@lcclark.com.





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