Ags Going To Look Outside The Program For The DC

According to Billy Liucci$, Mike Sherman is going to look outside the program for our new DC. This is a major development because current secondary coach Charles McMillan was considered a front runner for the job. Mike Sherman realizes that this will be the most important hire of his tenure and will likely define his legacy. With the right hire A&M can take the next step and become a consistent competitor for the Big 12 title. Make the wrong hire and we will become a Tech like team that can win a big game here or there, but will never be the championship caliber program that we desire. If we have a top 60 defense next year we will likely win 9-10 games (assuming our special teams are average). We need to find a DC who can help us make that jump. 

As I have stated previously, I would prefer a guy who favors an odd man front. I think the 3-4 and the 33 stack defense is pretty rare in college football and gives opponents something extra to prepare for. I also happen to think that the 3-4 defense is varied enough to play spread and 21 teams without making major adjusments to the scheme.

The man I really want A&M to go after is Air Force Defensive Coordinator Tim DeRuyter. His numbers just jump off the page at you. DeRuyter has coached the #1 pass defense in the country this season. They went out in the Ft. Worth Bowl and shut down the #1 offense in the country in Houston. I have an immense amount of respect for Kevin Sumlin and to shut him down is a major accomplishment. 

Air Force has the #10 overall defense in the country this year. they are also in the top 10 in scoring defense. The year before DeRuyter arrived Air Force had the worst defense in the MWC. The first year under DeRuyter, they improved to #6. He has experience rebuilding defenses. Air Force's defense has improved every year he has been there.

Some may want a big name out of the SEC. I am very suspicious of SEC DC's after watching Torbush's epic failure here. The SEC is a running league. Teams have success on defense because no one really passes the ball. All you have to do is stop the run and you will give up less than 300 yds per game in the SEC.

DeRuyter runs the 3-4. He has faced all kinds of offenses in the MWC and has had success with Air Force talent. Some may argue that Air Force has success on defense because they have one of the top rushing offenses in the nation. I would argue that Air Force always has a good running game, yet still had a poor defense before DeRuyter arrived. I think DeRuyter is the man to turn our defense around and bring out program back into national prominence.