Bowling Green State University Athletics
Beckman Named Among Top Defensive Coordinators
July 15, 2002 | Football
July 15, 2002
The depth of quality college football coaches is clearly more pronounced on the defensive side of the ball. Finalizing this list of top defensive coordinators was like asking a parent to choose his favorite child. No Chris Rippon? No Tim Rose? No Kyle Whittingham? No Gary Gibbs? No doubt I'll be hearing about it.
Remember, the list below is in alphabetical-not numerical-order.
Defensive Coordinators
Mickey Andrews, Florida State- If you argued that Andrews was the best defensive coach in the game, you'd get few dissenting votes. Bobby Bowden aside, no individual has had a greater impact on the Seminoles' rise to national prominence than this coach. In 18 years as a coordinator in Tallahassee, his defenses have consistently produced All-Americans and top 10 results in most major statistical categories. By numerous organizations, Andrews has been honored as the best assistant coach in the sport.
John Chavis, Tennessee- This 13-year veteran of the UT coaching ranks has been Phillip Fulmer's DC since 1995. Chavis gets criticism for sitting back sometimes, but how can anyone argue with the end product. His defense is one of the stingiest in the country year in and year out. In his seven years at the helm, the Vols have never finished below #3 in the SEC for total defense.
Joe Lee Dunn, Mississippi State- When judging Dunn, you've got to set aside last year's un-Bulldog-like numbers. Joe Lee Dunn's attacking units are much better than 26 points and 370 yards per game. He's an innovator that uses unorthodox schemes and blitz packages that confuse the heck out of opposing offenses. In his six seasons in Starkville, MSU has routinely had one of the top ranked defenses in the nation. He was a Broyles finalist in 1999.
Bud Foster, Virginia Tech-Yet another defensive whiz, Foster has been in Blacksburg since 1987. He's been the Hokies' defensive coordinator since 1995 and also oversees the vaunted special teams unit. In 1999 and 2001, he was a Broyles nominee. In 2000, he was named defensive coordinator of the year by American Football Coach magazine. Foster's been pursued by the likes of Florida-Spurrier's coordinator--and Virginia-replace George Welsh-in recent years.
Mike Hankwitz, Texas A&M-The 12th man, Kyle Field, the bonfire and the Wrecking Crew defense. Four things that continue to leave an indelible mark on the Texas A&M football experience. Hankwitz has been the architect of that defense since 1997. The 2001 edition finished 10th in the country in total defense. Hankwitz has also had successful stints as a coordinator with Western Michigan, Colorado and Kansas and has coached in 19 bowl games.
Jim Hermann, Michigan-Hermann may not get the pub of other big-time coordinators, but that's certainly no reflection on his ability to put forth top-notch defenses. The Wolverines have consistently been at or near the top of the Big 10 in defense since Hermann was hired full-time in 1990. The 2001 defense was tops in the Big 10 and 9th in the nation in scoring defense. Hermann was the Broyles award winner in 1997.
Carl Reese, Texas-In 1998, Reese inherited a Longhorn defense that was one of the most generous in the game. In just four years, he's built a fast, aggressive unit that led Division I in total defense in 2001. For his work, Reese was one of six finalists for the Broyles Award. The well-traveled coach has also been a coordinator with East Carolina, Virginia, Missouri, Navy, Vanderbilt and LSU, but appears to have saved his best work for the fans in Austin.
Randy Shannon, Miami-At just 36 years of age, Shannon already has a national championship as a coach (2001) and a player (1987). He has NFL coaching experience with the Dolphins and was last year's Broyles Award winner after his Hurricanes surrendered just 9 points a game. What does he possibly do for an encore? Shannon's the hottest coach in Dade County since Don Shula. When he's ready, a head coaching spot will be his next step.
Mike Stoops, Oklahoma-One-half of Oklahoma's co-defensive coordinators, Stoops was a huge success as Kansas State's DC from 1996-1998. In 1997 and 1998, the Wildcats were ranked in the top 10 in total defense nationally. Since joining his older brother in Norman three years ago, success has followed Stoops as the Sooners have been one of the most intimidating defenses in college football. He was a finalist for the AFCA Assistant Coach of the Year Award in 2001. A head coaching opportunity does not seem far off.
Charlie Strong, South Carolina-When head coaching jobs have opened up in the past two winters, Charlie Strong has garnered lots of consideration, but no jobs......yet. After what he's done with the Gamecock defense since joining Lou Holtz in 1999, that day should be coming soon. USC's attacking defense has been in the top 12 in points allowed in each of the last two seasons. He was a Broyles Award finalist in 2000.
Carl Torbush, Alabama-Elite coordinators don't always make great head coaches. Witness Torbush who went 17-18 at North Carolina from 1998-2000. However, don't let that jade your opinion of him as defensive guru. In ten years as a DC in Chapel Hill, he built a defense that was a force in the ACC. In 1996 and 1997, the Heels led the ACC in total defense and were among the top five in the nation in every major category. He was a Broyles finalist in 1997 and was named Defensive Coordinator of the Year by American Football Quarterly in 1996.
The Young and the Rising......
Tim Beckman, Bowling Green-Haven't heard of Beckman? You're not alone. That could change though. The 36-year old coordinator of three seasons led the MAC conference's top defensive unit to #1 in total defense, rush defense and point allowed. The 86 yards allowed on the ground each game was good for 4th best in the country. He was an AFCA Coach of the Year nominee last fall.
Gene Chizik, Auburn-Psst. Central Florida has had a pretty good defense the past few years and Chizik had a lot to do with that. The fiery coach took a bad Knight defense in 1998 and molded them into a solid unit each year thereafter. In 2001, UCF was 16th in the nation in total defense and tied for 13th in scoring defense. He'll be a big hit at Auburn.
Tyrone Nix, Southern Miss-Less than a decade removed from the Golden Eagles roster, Nix know prowls the sidelines as his alma mater's defensive coordinator. And he hasn't even celebrated his 30th birthday yet. In his debut as a coordinator last year, his defense was 11th in the country in total defense and 8th in points allowed. Yes, youth is being served in Hattiesburg.
Paul Rhoads, Pittsburgh-In just two seasons under Walt Harris, Rhoads, 35, has instilled an energy and attacking style that hasn't been seen in Pittsburgh since Hugh Green was mauling quarterbacks. The Panthers surrendered just 268 yards a game last year, good for #6 in the game. In January, he turned down an offer by Tommy Tuberville to coach the Auburn defense.
Brent Venables, Oklahoma-After six seasons as an assistant with Kansas State, Venables, 31, is preparing for his 4th season as co-defensive coordinator of the mighty Sooner defense. The first three years have been so successful that a promotion for Venables to a head coaching position is not a matter of "if", but "when" it will happen. Missouri showed considerable interest before Gary Pinkel was hired last year.
