AFM Subscribers Ask...with Mark Banker

by: Mark Banker
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Last fall Oregon State finished first among all 119 Football Bowl Subdivision teams in rushing defense, surrendering only 70.6 yards per game. The Beavers also finished fourth in quarterback sacks (3.4 per game); sixth in tackles-for-loss (8.2); and eighth in total defense (306.2 ypg). In 2006 the OSU defense led the nation in tackles-for-loss yardage (528). The lynchpin of this defense is Mark Banker, Oregon State’s Defensive Coordinator. Banker has spent 12 of the last 13 seasons with Head Coach Mike Riley, both at OSU and with the San Diego Chargers. He began his coaching career with his alma mater, Springfield College, and has also coached at Cal State Northridge, Hawaii, USC and Stanford. A defensive specialist, he answers your questions…

What special preparation do you make for the quarterback in the shotgun zone read offense? Who is responsible to contain the quarterback? John O’Rourke, Head Coach, Columbia River High School, Vancouver, WA. AFM subscriber since 2005.

When we look at our opponent and they’re playing in the Shotgun Spread, we look at a typical two back set and assume that potentially either the quarterback or tailback can carry the ball. We have our linebackers set for the traditional two-back set and their primary assignment is to stop the running play. We look at game film and go through the quarterback’s tendencies but our defense feeds off of help; that is, whatever the responsibilities are of each player, they all know on every play they’re getting help. We will attempt to cancel the gaps on most plays.

What is your philosophy in stopping an opponent in the red zone? Is your defense the type that brings a lot of pressure and plays man coverage or would you rather run a solid coverage and not make a mistake? Mark Hendricks, Assistant Coach, James Madison University. AFM Subscriber since 2005.

The down, distance and actual yard line may dictate part of our coverage. We look at the Red Zone as four down territory. Timely pressure is central to being effective in the Red Zone. As a defensive unit, we ask the question that helps us plan our attack: What does the offense need? Is it a touchdown or a field goal? We also want to educate our defense so they know tendencies of our opponent in the Red Zone and what to expect, whether it be a run play or pass play. There is a lot of film study involved.

Do you feel the wider splits in the offensive line disrupt the timing of twist games between defensive linemen? Jim Semones, Assistant Coach, Lakota East High School, Liberty Township, OH. AFM subscriber since 1995.

Most of the time this is not an issue. People may be playing stunts and wider splits that can actually give you an advantage. In this case you can have your defenders stand up in the gaps and explode into the backfield.

As a defensive coordinator, what do you believe is the most important aspect of defensive game planning? Keith Wheeler, Assistant Coach, Holbrook High School (AZ). AFM subscriber since 1995.

In defensive game planning, we believe the most important aspect is educating our defense about our opponent. What does the offense do in certain situations? What about first down situations and various down and distance tendencies? We focus quite a bit of attention on what our opponent does in the Red Zone. We want our players to be completely prepared after studying film. It’s one thing for us as coaches to talk about a particular offense but it’s important for our players to actually see it.

How, when and why would you use bracket coverage? How does this concept fit within the framework of your base coverages? John Wren, Head Coach, South Bakersfield High School (CA). AFM subscriber since 2004.

We really don’t use bracket coverage. The only time we may use it is with a prime receiver. It could work in covering two defenders in exchange routes. That would be the only situation where we would use it.

What is your favorite thing to do vs. the run when you must get a stop on third and short? Rob Skaricich, Assistant Coach, Grove City College (PA). AFM subscriber since 2007.

Again, we really look at game film and study what our opponent will do. In this case, short yardage situations. There’s a big difference between third and one and third and two. A team may always run if it’s a yard or under. If it’s third and two, they may have a tendency to throw the ball. If we see a consistency, we’ll make that defensive call. But we always emphasize the point of attack. Many offenses will run up the middle although the tendency now – with short and a yard – is to run a toss play. For the pass game in this situation you need complementary coverage. You should keep in mind one of two potential passes – a release to the flat and a slant to the weak side.

Coming Soon: Last year Valdosta State’s Head Coach David Dean became the second coach to win the Division II National Championship in his first season. Dean replaced Chris Hatcher on January 19, 2007 and led VSU to a 13-1 record and a 25-20 win over Northwest Missouri State in the championship game. Dean served as VSU’s Offensive Coordinator from 2000-2007 where the Blazers were a perennial leader in scoring offense, passing offense and total offense. Next month Coach Dean answers your questions. Go to AmericanFootballMonthly.com/askacoach or send your question to AFM’s Managing Editor Rex Lardner at rlardner@lcclark.com.

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