Arizona Football needs to hire the right defensive line coach
With a defensive coordinator already hired, the Arizona Football team now needs to hire the right defensive line coach to help turn this thing around!
It’s been a busy off-season for the Arizona Football team. After missing another bowl game, Kevin Sumlin and the Wildcats are focused on turning this thing around and quickly by recruiting heavily and making coaching hires.
Weeks after firing their defensive coordinator, Marcel Yates, Arizona has finally found their replacement in UCLA defensive backs coach, Paul Rhoads, to become the new defensive coordinator of the Wildcats.
Arizona Wildcats
However, also on their long list of “to-do’s” this off-season, the Wildcats also need to hire a defensive line coach too! And to say this hire is an important one would be an understatement!
Gone are the days where the Cats once reigned supreme in opposing backfields, generating immense pressure and making it a nightmare for opposing offenses to no only move the football, but to operate as well.
It seems like it’s been an eternity since Arizona has had a dominant or even respectable pass rush, and while I don’t expect the Cats to dominate in every category on defense, I would like to see marked improvement in some key areas.
And to the fans who agree with that sentiment, I do apologize for this rather humbling and sort of sickening reminder, of just how poorly the Cats have fared over the past few years in run defense and getting sacks.
Since 2012, here is where Arizona has ranked…
2012
Rushing Defense: 105th
Sacks: 16 sacks (108th)
2013
Rushing Defense: 69th
Sacks: 24 sacks (77th)
2014
Rushing Defense: 68th
Sacks: 38 sacks (26th)
2015
Rushing Defense: 98th
Sacks: 27 sacks (67th)
2016
Rushing Defense: 83rd
Sacks: 22 sacks (86th)
2017
Rushing Defense: 85th
Sacks: 31 sacks (38th)
2018
Rushing Defense: 64th
Sacks: 23 sacks (84th)
2019
Rushing Defense: 91st
Sacks: 17 sacks (110th)
Surprising? There were a few years in there where the Wildcats were okay, or the sack totals weren’t that bad.
Granted a couple years were attributed to the dominance of Scooby Wright, but generally speaking, when it comes to stopping the run, or generating pressure, Arizona has struggled mightily.
Blame it on coaching, blame it on personnel, regardless of the excuse, it’s an area for Arizona that needs to improve and improve significantly.
With a serviceable and competent pass rush, you can mask a lot of weaknesses on your defense if you’re able to at least generate and create more pressure.
Right now, I do think there are some solid pieces like; Trevon Mason, Jalen Harris, JB Brown and Myles Tapusoa. And while I do think the Cats will ultimately need more size and talent on the defensive line to see the results we’re hoping for, however, scheme-wise, these guys need to be put in a position to succeed.
Whether it’s just where they line-up, how they’re utilized, whether they are stunting on the line or simply eating up space in gaps, I think whoever comes in needs to do a better job at scheming these guys to get better opportunities and looks. Sending three guys on a blitz isn’t going to get it done.
Additionally, the new defensive line coach, or more presumably the defensive coordinator are going to have to focus on recruiting.
As is stands, the Wildcats have just two recruits in the class of 2020 in Dion Wilson and Regen Terry along the defensive line. Moving forward, they’re going to need at least one-to-two more players. I would think Jason Harris, the brother of Jalen would be a huge priority from here on out, plus junior college talent as well.
These are just a few reasons why this hire is going to be very important!
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At Zona Zealots, we’re anxious to see how the Cats round out this coaching staff! As always, Bear Down, Arizona!