Mailbag question: Consistency of Ohio State 's defense

Posted at 12:00pm -- 1/9/2010


Mailbag question: Consistency of Ohio State 's defense

GBMW,

Hope that things are well and Happy New Year.

I have always been impressed with the consistency of Ohio State 's defense year in and year out.

Aside from the talent I have to suspect that communication by the Ohio State defensive coaches of "what is said and how it is said" also plays a big part in their success.

I would be interested to get your perspective as to why Ohio State has consistency (Va. Tech, Florida, etc., as well) and teams like Michigan, even when they have good talent, continue to struggle on defense year in and year out.

Thanks ... CleveWolverine

------------------------------------

Thanks a lot and a great question.

Of the many factors that can contribute to defensive excellence year in and year out, the biggest is perhaps consistency in scheme.

Ohio State has played basically the same 4-3 zone-blitz scheme since day one under Coach Tressel.

Coach Tressel hired Mark Dantonio, a Nick Saban disciple, to install the package and they have stayed with this through Coach Snyder, Coach Tucker, through to Coaches Heacock and Fickell.

This consistency allows Ohio State to recruit players with specific skills that fit the scheme. It also allows the teaching and coaching of fundamentals and schemes to stay the same. This makes it easier to replace players when they graduate.

Yes, Ohio State has tweaked the defense some over the years, playing more man and cover two at times, and has even experimented with a three man front as the basis for the nickel package, but the main scheme is still a 4-3 zone blitz with secondary rotation into the boundary.

A second contributing factor is a clear difference is philosophy.

Ohio State builds the team around a solid defense and will always emphasis defense in recruiting, therefore always having a strong presence in special teams.

The Buckeyes practice and game plan around protecting the quarterback and playing great defense. Coach Tressel is going to do everything he can with the offense to help the defense.

A third contributing factor is Coach Tressel has done an excellent job of "ID-ing" superior young coaches and giving them an opportunity. Coaches like Mel Tucker, Luke Fickell, and Tavar Johnson came to Ohio State as young dynamic coaches with little experience.

The combination of veteran coaches, like Heacock and Snyder, interacting with the younger coaches has proved to be a winning combination.

Written by GBMW Staff

Go Blue -- Wear Maize!