When new Tennessee defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox first plopped down in his office chair, he could have been excused for not noticing the decor or maybe even sorting through the middle-desk drawer for a few leftover Xs and Os.
He was following one of the most publicized strategists ever to line up a defense. Sure, he thought about it.
"There's a unique thing about that," he said after Tuesday's spring practice. " Monte Kiffin is probably as well respected a defensive coach as there is in the history of football."
As if that's not daunting enough, there's a greater volume of defensive history that will be heaped onto Wilcox's young shoulders. In the worst of times - and more of those could be coming this season - UT's defense has somehow risen above the rubble and produced statistics that contradicted the won-loss record.
UT went 5-6 in 2005, but John Chavis' defense was the toughest to run against in the SEC. The 5-7 calamity of 2008 didn't deter another Chavis defense from distinguishing itself. The Vols finished third nationally in total defense.
So Wilcox isn't just following Kiffin, the guru. He's following Chavis, the "Chief."
And perhaps it's just as well that he reminds you of neither.
Kiffin looked the part of a football icon on the backside of 60, still energized by teaching his secrets to teenagers who fantasize about making a living at this game. Chavis, who now coordinates LSU's defense, is a block of man who is so passionate about wrecking offenses, you wouldn't be shocked if he charged into the fray himself at the age of 53.
Wilcox looks more like a quarterbacks coach than a defensive coordinator, if Kiffin or Chavis is your model. In fact, he looks more like a quarterback. He's only 33, and at 6-foot-2, 200 pounds, he easily could fill a role in the secondary for demonstration purposes.
He's articulate, unassuming and makes an interview seem more like a conversation. He's genuinely excited about the football education an SEC institution can offer, as though he's a graduate student who has just been accepted to college football's graduate school equivalent of the Ivy League.
"I'm very fortunate and humbled to be here," said the former Boise State defensive coordinator. "When you are at a place three, four or how many years, your learning curve starts to flatten out. ... The past month and a half has been a huge learning curve to me. That's the biggest thing."
You're probably more interested in what the kid coordinator can teach. So is his boss, Derek Dooley, who became impressed with Wilcox when Dooley was the head coach at Louisiana Tech. College football in general began to form a similar impression after Wilcox's defense held Oregon to eight points in the 2009 season opener.
"They didn't get a first down till the third quarter," Dooley emphasized. "I'm talking about an offense than averaged about 40 a game. That's not an accident."
TCU found out as much in the Fiesta Bowl when Boise State completed a 14-0 season with a 17-10 victory. But if you want to believe the conquests of Oregon and TCU were attributable to Wilcox's tactical wizardry, he's the wrong guy to ask.
Of the Oregon shutdown, he says: "We executed very well that game. We were able to get them out of rhythm."
And TCU?
"In a bowl game, you're just trying to take away what they do best, to make them do something they don't want to do," he said.
Wilcox's interview lived up to his resume. Dooley and assistant coaches Terry Joseph and Lance Thompson flew out to Denver, where they talked serious football with Wilcox for about six hours.
"We talked a lot about philosophy," Dooley said "We talked about schemes. We got on the board."
He didn't need six hours to make up his mind.
"It happens pretty quickly with me," Dooley said. "I usually know pretty early ... 'Now, he's got to screw it up.'
"He didn't screw it up."
In the same interview session, Wilcox concluded that he, Dooley and the assistant coaches weren't strangers in their football philosophy. And with all the changes in a program that has undergone two head-coaching changes in as many years, UT fans might find it reassuring to know Wilcox's defense isn't altogether different from his predecessor's.
"Some sameness," Wilcox said. "Also, a fair amount of change."
For the coach, the changes might be more helpful more than the similarities. Coaching the very same "Tampa 2" defense that Kiffin made famous would have only exacerbated Wilcox's challenge.
If you have to follow a defensive act as renowned as Monte Kiffin's, better to do it with your material than his.
John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knoxnews.com.
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Comments » 37
CLEMSONVOL716WASBANNED writes:
Sorry, but I don't buy into the part about our former DC being a genius. His "Tampa 2" wasn't any better than our old "3rd and Chavis". Monte wasn't very good when he was at NCSU and he wasn't worth all the praise he got upon being hired in Knoxville. The biggest thing he did was to take EB out of positon to set an NCAA record.
Just sick and tired of hearing how this years staff has big shoes to fill from what we had last year...Geez, we were 7-6, 'nuff said.
chrisw2967 writes:
I agree , ancient kiffin was no better than Chavis.It was for sure he didnt use EB the way he should of been used and it cost EB the record.
Kiffin didnt have a clue when it came to the spread our loses last year proved that.
VolAlum2003 (Inactive) writes:
"We talked a lot about philosophy," Dooley said "We talked about schemes. We got on the board."
"Some sameness," Wilcox said. "Also, a fair amount of change."
I absolutely love Wilcox and I'm warming to Dooley...but these guys are about as interesting in an interview as a wet piece of toast.
It's like they're working on the chemical make-up of flubber or they know the formula for Coca-Cola. Well...we'll see what they've cooked up come fall, I guess.
And for all of you amateur critics out there, being interesting in an interview and being a good coach are NOT mutually exclusive.
VolAlum2003 (Inactive) writes:
Maybe Dooley runs our program like every bit of information related to UT football is a trade secret and can't be revealed to the public. Other than reporting over and over again that Bryce Brown left...what are reporters like Adams supposed to do? If Dooley is going to act like a Benedictine monk that has taken a vow of silence and then make his support staff only rarely available to the press...how would you like for Adams to go about getting his information?
creekroad writes:
Personally, I wish Adams would move to La. He is not a very good newspaper man you know?
AtLeastMyTeamHasPerfectSeasons writes:
If Oregon is at full strength against SC this year....Monte will have another Ole MIss type of loss.
As for our new DC, he seems young and energetic, has showed he knows what he is doing, but unfortunately, the SEC offenses are something else altogether. He will be facing a TCU or Oregon EVERY WEEK. Good luck.
dvol writes:
If you think our last two D.C. were bad. Wait till you get a load of this guy. D.D. said he could have hired a number of cooridnators with NFL experience. But, he hires this guy because of two ball games. Oregon and TCU. Make that three he also shut down that powerhouse L.T. This whole staff looks like a hail mary including the headcoach. Prices for tickets will soon be comming down. Florida and Alabama will see to that. This experiment could get down right ugly by the end of Oct. maybe 35 to 40 thousand in the stands by the timr Ky. rolls into K-town.
littlec195360#215853 writes:
Comparison to the previous staff is ridiculous. Kiffin's staff was in revolt and with the exception of Pater were all leaving within the year. He destroyed the conditioning program with turnover and was in the process of taking us to the wood shed with the NCAA(and he may have). We are fortunate to now have a coach and staff who are not rip your shirt off buffoons and appear to have some character. I am glad the rap music during practice idiots are all gone.Why keep resurrecting what in time will be regarded as a staff that was totally without character and chasing the highest salary.
CadmiumOchre (Inactive) writes:
VolAlum2003 writes:
I absolutely love Wilcox and I'm warming to Dooley...but these guys are about as interesting in an interview as a wet piece of toast.
===================================
Actually, French Toast when done right is rather delicious. I like extra cinnamon sprinkled on mine and use warm agave nectar as the syrup in very moderate amounts as it's sweeter than honey or maple syrup. Now, that's wet toast, uh-huh.
VOLinATL writes:
John's job is to be a columnist, not a reporter. He is paid to "editorialize".
FearTheVols1252 writes:
You forget that Dooley was a position coach at LSU, a graduate assistant at Georgia, and the son of a pretty famous Georgia football coach, so I don't think the speed of the SEC is completely foreign to him. However, I do agree it may take a couple seasons before this staff is comfortable with the dynamics of each university and just how competitive it is down here.
FearTheVols1252 writes:
You’re a twit! In case your memory is THAT bad, we had an NFL defensive coordinator last year. While he was ok, he certainly didn’t overly impress anyone. Just because they hail from the NFL doesn’t necessarily mean they’re going to be a stellar college coach. And just because they haven’t been in the NFL doesn’t mean they’ll be a bad coach. And they didn’t hire him based solely off 2 games. In case you couldn’t read, they interviewed him for 6 hours, discussing strategy… not reliving the glory days from his 2 key defensive victories. Give the guy a chance before you criticize and lay judgment down on him.
FearTheVols1252 writes:
x2!
tnsportsman writes:
BINGO VolAlum2003! LOL, they are as dry as sand in the desert!
At first their personalities really bothered me, but now I'm 110% thinking they will totally surprise other coaches in the SEC with schemes and WINS!
GO VOLS!
tennrich1 writes:
The reason they'll struggle for a year or two has more to do with the talent level that's left than the SEC factor....now while i agree that the SEC is a HUGH factor....it's still just football and the man with the most talent is going to win....Most every Saturday....I could coach (seriously) Florida or Alabama's talent to decent record...so let's keep it in perspective....
Biggie writes:
Yeah, I wasn't impressed either. He really did Eric Berry bad. If we'd have gone 12-0 with the changes it would've been worthwhile but we didn't do any better defensively and as you said, it handcuffed EB
FearTheVols1252 writes:
I suppose an argument can be made either way. Talent certainly makes a coach’s life a little easier, but a great coach will succeed regardless of talent. Boise St. has consistently been a team to reckon with and they aren’t exactly swiping up all the talent out there. They’re well coached and have a system in place that allows them to succeed. Granted, they have a much easier schedule, but they have NEVER backed down to any big-time team they’ve played, and have faired pretty well against them too.
VolGrad writes:
I agree. Our greater issues right now are the big guys on the frontlines, not the big guys on the sidelines calling the shots.
Chavis' defenses were always very good until they backed off in zone on 3rd down. That is my one criticism of him. Monte was not statistically an improvement over Chavis. But I don't understand all the criticism of either one. Who the heck is the "golden boy" that everyone seems to think is out there?
I enjoyed just getting some information from the young DC Wilcox, as well as our OC Chaney in the other story.
illinoisvolfan writes:
One of the biggest problems with Tennessee's recent shortcomings in football is that their two biggest rivals are both so dominating. If Florida and/or Alabama were going through the same rebuilding phase that UT is, it might not be so painful. I hated to see Fulmer's demise because he did such a great job in his early period as HC. I drank the Kiffin-Aid, as did many of you, because he is a good salesman of himself and his product. How else could he land the SC job based on his coaching resume?
Tennessee football did not wind up in the situation it's now in overnight. It took seasons of neglect and a mild amount of over-confidence to get to this point. The solution also will not occur overnight. The current coaching staff is building, not just for next season, but for the rest of the decade and beyond. The 2010 season may look quite a bit like the 2009 season, and the critics and trolls will be enjoying themselves. The Vol Nation will have to be patient, but the good days are coming. It's going to be a lot like that prayer--"God grant me patience...and dang it, hurry up!" GBO!!
lakesidegator writes:
Okay, okay. so y'all will finally beat the Gators later this decade. Much later this decade. Signed,
Gator Nation
cooper65#432178 writes:
From a top 8 or 9 teams perspective, the SEC is clearly the best conference. Last year, the 2 best teams in the country were SEC teams. However, both Oregon and TCU were better than most SEC teams last year. Not all good teams are in the SEC and there are good coaches outside the SEC. In recent years, the bully, Urpie band Saban have come in from outside the outside the SEC and had immediate success. I think Coach Wilcox will do an outstanding job for us. Finally, I think SEC defenses are more dominant than the offenses.
mjaichele#464960 writes:
The only statistic that matters is the win / loss percentage / record against Alabama, Florida, Georgia, LSU, and Auburn, and maybe the rare non-conference opponent that is actually ranked in the top 20.
AllforTenn writes:
Agree. But I don't know about a HUGH factor - maybe a HUGE factor instead. Our talent level and depth is our problem for a few years.
TnScooby writes:
I have read so much about how Wilcox is too young, came from the WAC, not first choice, not ready for SEC, blah blah blah...The guy can flat out coach, period...The WAC seems to be everybodys "lesser known" conference...well so be it...Everybody has to start somewhere...During the first three seasons with Wilcox in charge of the defense, Boise State led the Western Athletic Conference in total defense and scoring defense each year. In 2008 the Broncos led the WAC in total defense (308.2 yards per game), pass efficiency defense (94.4 rating) and scoring defense (12.6 points per game). Nationally, the Broncos finished 2008 ranked No. 2 in pass defense, No. 3 in scoring defense and No. 20 in total defense.
In both 2006 and 2007 the Broncos also led the WAC in rushing defense. In 2007 the Broncos were nationally ranked in pass efficiency defense (24th), total defense and scoring defense (25th), passing defense and sacks (26th), and rushing defense (35th). Nationally in 2006, Boise State was eighth in rushing defense, 14th in total defense, 20th in scoring defense, 28th in sacks, and 30th in pass efficiency defense. And the WAC is KNOWN for its high octane offenses. Wilcox’s defense was instrumental in helping the 2006 Boise State team to a 13-0 record and its now-famous 43-42 overtime win over Oklahoma in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl.
I understand he wasn't a "big name" to people at the time of his hiring but get real, the guy can OBVIOUSLY coach...So before everybody compares him to Monte Kiffin or John Chavis perhaps it would be wise to see what he can do as Justin Wilcox....He obviously gets the most out of the talent he has so even though the rest of the teams we play in the SEC are better than
the WAC, HIS talent will be better as well....This guy just might become one of the best DC's in UT history, but until we play games at least give him some credit AND the benefit of the doubt!
eefor10c writes:
Thank you TnScooby. Best post I've read on anything related to Vol football in a long time.
tapeworm writes:
Sounds like we're finally going to find out how good our coaches really are. For several years now, everyone has wondered how teams like Boise, Utah, TCU, VaTech, etc., can do so well without top 10 talent. I know - they weren't in the SEC, but they beat teams like Alabama and Oklahoma in major bowl games, so don't give me the "playing weak teams" argument.
Something was going on at those programs with the coaching. I think it was a combination of coaches finding players that the BCS schools were too lazy to find, plus spending the time and energy to coach them up to succeed over their more talented opponents.
Anyway, we're about to find out for the first time at Tennessee, whether or not we have great coaches instead of just great players.
92volalum writes:
not sure what to expect but the vol nation is divided over the hire and it will be interesting to see what the attendance at the first few home games will be like.
GBO and just win that all that matters... bottom line....and recruit recruit recruit...
TnScooby writes:
Thanks eefor10c...I bleed Orange and really think we might be a lot better off than people think...
nocleats writes:
Its not gonna be the Xs and the Os, Its gonna be the Jimmys and the Joes. Tenn has to outrecruit their competition for the next 5 classes.
VolAlum2003 (Inactive) writes:
Maybe...but I make it a point to try not to shoot the messenger all the time.
VolAlum2003 (Inactive) writes:
Sir, you are 100% correct.
VolAlum2003 (Inactive) writes:
I LOVE Wilcox's statement: "Some sameness. Also, a fair amount of change."
It says everything and nothing all at the same time. It's the Wilcox Paradox.
twin942 writes:
I couldn't agree more. By all accounts Monte is a hell of a guy but I was NOT impressed with the defense. They did well in several games ('Bama) but what the hell happened at Ole Miss.
I liked Chavis much better, but I bet Wilcox tops all three. I was very impressed in their bowl game against TCU.
utk1996 writes:
To all you people who seem to think Dooley and Wilcox will have trouble facing SEC opponents because of the speed, etc. please remember that several coaches have been successful in big-time leagues after coaching at mid-major programs. Jim Tressel and Urban Meyer would be two examples. Also, Bruce Pearl. If you can coach, you can coach. Period.
xpsyclonex2002 writes:
I am tired of the talk. I hope Dooley doesn't say another word until the end of next season. I want him to have focus on the players, the practices, and recruitment. I don't want Dooley spending one minute worrying about how he is going to craft his words to the media to keep them from twisting them or reading them like tea leaves. I want on the field performance. Let our players do the talking on the field at gametime.
RJ007 writes:
I am ready for Wilcox..Monte has a good rep. and is a good coach likewise so is Chavis. With Chavis's D not many LB's were injured...my opinion of bringin EB up in the box is the reason for so many injuries on D.
JCforUTVols writes:
the "Wilcox Paradox" Love it! I agree with your comments. But I do worry about the O-Line
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