Wednesday December 10, 2008

Defensive Coordinator Candidates

Defensive Coordinator Candidates
Dabo is currently looking to replace Vic Koenning as his defensive coordinator and David Blackwell and Ron West will be co-coordinators for the Gator Bowl game versus Nebraska. Both could be candidates for the full-time position after the bowl game as well. Below are five potential candidates from outside of the program. At this point, John Chavis might be the leading candidate. I believe Paul Rhodes might be a factor before it is all said and done. I cannot confirm just how much Kirby Smart, Kevin Steele or Marion Hobby are candidates at this point. Again, if I were handicapping the field I would have Chavis as the favorite to be the next defensive coordinator at Clemson. However, I do believe this is a fluid situation.

John Chavis
Age: 52
Last Position: Defensive coordinator, Associate head coach, Linebackers coach
Born: Dillon, SC
College: Tennessee 1979
Coaching History:
1979 Tennessee Graduate Assistant
1980-83 Alabama A&M defensive line
1984-85 Alabama State defensive coordinator
1986-88 Alabama A&M defensive coordinator
1988-2008 Tennessee defensive line, linebackers. Defensive coordinator from 1995-2008.
Bowls: 18
Notes: In Chavis’ time in Knoxville, the Vols won the SEC East or tied for the SEC east seven times. His defenses helped Tennessee to the SEC title in 1997 and 1998 and the national title in 1998. Chavis was recognized in 2006 as the American Football Coaches Association's Division I-A Assistant Coach of the Year. In 2008, Tennessee finished fourth in the country in total defense, 12th in rushing defense, 11th in scoring defense and fourth in pass defense. Chavis has a good relationship with Woody McCorvey and Danny Pearman so he has inside help with the position. He is also close to Danny Ford.

Paul Rhodes
Age: 41
Last Position Defensive Coordinator Auburn
Born: Ankeny, Iowa
College: Missouri Western 1989
Coaching History:
1989-90 Utah State Graduate Assistant
1991 Ohio State Graduate Assistant
1992-94 Pacific Defensive Backs. Defensive Pass Coordinator (1994)
1995-99 Iowa State Inside Linebackers (1995). Secondary (1996-99)
2000-07 Pittsburgh Defensive Coordinator, secondary (2000-06). Defensive Coordinator, linebackers (2007)
2008 Auburn Defensive Coordinator. Secondary
Bowls: 6
Notes: Rhodes is considered one of the top defensive minds in the country. Last season Auburn finished 27 in the country in total defense, 52nd in rushing defense, 15th in scoring defense and 22 in pass defense. At Pittsburgh his defense finished fifth nationally in total defense in 2007. The Sporting News to name him the Big East's best defensive coordinator in its 2006 college football annual. Rhodes is close to current Clemson linebacker coach David Blackwell as the two worked together at Pittsburgh.

Kirby Smart
Age: 33 later this month
Current Position: Defensive coordinator Alabama
Born:Montgomery, AL
College: Georgia 1999
Coaching History:
1999 Georgia Graduate Assistant
2000-01 Valdosta State Defensive backs. Defensive coordinator 2001
2002-03 Florida State Graduate Assistant
2004 LSU Defensive backs
2005 Georgia Running backs
2006 Miami Dolphins Safeties
2007-08 Alabama Secondary. 2008 Defensive coordinator
Bowls: 7
Notes: Smart is thought of as one of the top young defensive minds in the country. He has benefitted from coaching with defensive coaches like Mickey Andrews and Nick Saban. Smart also has the benefit of having NFL experience. This past season Alabama was third in the nation in total defense, sixth in scoring defense, fourth in rushing defense and 21 in pass defense.

Kevin Steele
Age: 50
Current Position: Head Coach of the Defense Alabama
Born: Dillon, SC
College: Tennessee 1980
Coaching History:
1980-81 Tennessee Graduate Assistant
1982 Tennessee Outside Linebackers
1983 New Mexico State Linebacker
1984-86 Oklahoma State Linebackers, Tight Ends
1987-88 Tennessee Defensive backs
1995-98 Carolina Panthers Linebackers
1999-2002 Baylor Head Coach
2002-06 Florida State Linebackers
2007-present Alabama Head defensive coach
Notes: Steele has been a head coach in the college game and has NFL experience. He has also worked for major college powerhouses like Nebraska, Tennessee, Florida State and Alabama. This past season Alabama was third in the nation in total defense, sixth in scoring defense, fourth in rushing defense and 21st in pass defense.

Marion Hobby
Age: 42
Current Position: Duke Defensive coordinator
Born: Birmingham, AL
College: Tennessee 1990
Coaching History:
1995 Tennessee-Martin Defensive tackles
1996 Southwest Louisiana Strength and Conditioning. 1997 Defensive tackles.
1998 Tennessee Assistant Strength and conditioning
1999-2004 Ole Miss defensive line
2005 Clemson Defensive line
2006-07 New Orleans Saints defensive line
2008 Duke Defensive coordinator, defensive line
Bowls: 6
Notes: Hobby played and coached in the NFL. He made a big impression on the Clemson staff during his time here in 2005. This past year Duke was 61st in the country in total defense, 77th in rushing defense, 50th in scoring defense and 83rd in pass defense. He has a good relationship with several members of the current Clemson staff.

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