The Texas Tech basketball program is absolutely rolling right now. Even with a new head coach and major roster turnover, they just completed a sweep of the defending national champions. Head coach Mark Adams has transformed defense in college basketball with his “no-middle” scheme. Over his last four seasons as an assistant, he has helped construct the nationally-recognized defense. The defense has not lost a step as his first season as a head coach for the Red Raiders. The Texas Tech football team has struggled mightily defensively essentially since the Mike Leach era. So, in an effort to revolutionize college football defense, Should Joey McGuire think outside the box for the new Texas Tech defensive coordinator?
Texas Tech Defensive Coordinator Selection Is Great
The question above is not a serious one. Red Raider fans should be very excited for the actual hire McGuire made by bringing on Tim DeRuyter as the Texas Tech defensive coordinator. DeRuyter has served as a defensive coordinator or a head coach in each of the past 20 seasons. He spent time as the head coach at Fresno State for four-plus seasons. His last two stops as a defensive coordinator were at California and last year at Oregon. McGuire has built a tremendous staff that should help shape a successful season. DeRuyter is yet another key piece to this staff. But what would happen if DeRuyter took Adams’ core defensive principles and applied them to the football team?
Defining The Middle
Quick Basketball 101 lesson, aka basketball taught at the first grade level. The closer a player is to the basket, the higher the percentage of it going in. There is plenty of data that confirms this basic principle. So what Adams has done is design his defense to take away the easiest shots in the game. This forces opposing offenses to work the sides and perimeter. From there, the defense can decide how to suffocate their opponent based on the strengths/weaknesses both of their own personnel and the opponents.
In football, where would we define the middle/paint area? If we are looking at the “easiest” places to score points in football, there can only be one place. An area of the field that has its own special conversation percentage. The area where games are often won or lost; the Redzone. Teams that can keep teams out of the end zone and settle for field goals will always be the most successful. Two of the four college football playoff teams (Georgia and Cincinnati) were ranked first and fourth national in redzone defense. Texas Tech ranked 101st nationally.
How Can a Texas Tech Defensive Coordinator Play “No-Middle”?
Unlike basketball, attacking the outside of a defense in the redzone can be just as productive as the middle third of the field. But with a condensed field, some similar concepts from Adams’ defense can be applied. His defensive unit is constantly switching defenders to the ball, even though the unit is playing a man-to-man set. The defense will even overplay the player with the ball to force him to an area where help is waiting.
The same principle is applied in football through a “Banjo” call. It allows defensive backs to pass off receivers to one another based on their alignment. So in this case, the defense is reacting to the offense as opposed to dictating where they have to go. Both basketball and football defensive schemes require excellent communication in order to be executed.
The basketball defense can also collapse into the lane at anytime if a ball handler begins to penetrate the defense. If a football defense is having to react late to a penetrating ball carry up the middle in the redzone, it’s likely too late to prevent a touchdown. But the defense can line up defenders in all gaps to try and force the ball carry outside or tackle him for a loss.
Both defenses can be broken down from simply having better players and/or finding the one matchup that favors the offense. Ultimately, for either defense to excel, it goes beyond the talent of the unit. It truly is a mindset and culture within the team. This culture is fostered by the coaching staff. If DeRuyter and Co. are taking notes from Adams, there won’t even be middle lanes in the city of Lubbock to drive on.
