Proof that Muschamp is defensive mastermind
Published: Wednesday, June 22, 2011 at 6:01 a.m.
Last Modified: Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at 10:57 p.m.
First-year coach Will Muschamp arrived at Florida with the reputation as one of the top defensive minds in college football.
It's still unclear how much Mushcamp will be involved in the defensive play-calling, or how much he will delegate to new defensive coordinator Dan Quinn. Muschamp has said in speaking engagements that he's a "hands on" coach who enjoys the "scheming" aspect of football.
That would leave some to believe that Muschamp will be involved in personnel and play-calling decisions on defense.
Judging from Muschamp's track record, it's a smart move. In his eight seasons as a college defensive coordinator, Muschamp's defenses have ranked first in total defense four times (three times in the Big 12, once in the Southeastern Conference).
Muschamp's defenses have topped the conference in stopping the run four times and stopping the pass once.
Here's a look at how Muschamp's defenses have fared at Texas, Auburn and LSU:
2010 Texas
Total defense: 1st in Big 12, 300.2 ypg
Rushing defense: 3rd, 138.6 ypg
Passing defense: 2nd, 161.6 ypg
Scoring defense: 5th, 23.7 ppg
2009 Texas
Total defense: 1st, 251.9 ypg
Rushing defense: 1st, 72.4 ypg
Passing defense: 2nd, 179.6 ypg
Scoring defense: 3rd, 16.7 ppg
2008 Texas
Total defense: 1st, 342.9 ypg
Rushing defense: 1st, 83.5 ypg
Passing defense: 7th, 259.4 ypg
Scoring defense: 1st, 18.8 ppg
2007 Auburn
Total defense: 2nd in SEC, 297.6 ypg
Rushing defense: 5th, 124.7 ypg
Passing defense: 2nd, 173.2 ypg
Scoring defense: 1st, 16.9 ppg
2006 Auburn
Total defense: 4th, 292.4 ypg
Rushing defense: 6th, 124.2 ypg
Passing defense: 3rd, 168.2 ypg
Scoring defense: 3rd, 13.9 ppg
2004 LSU
Total defense: 2nd in SEC, 256.9 ypg
Rushing defense: 1st, 99.8 ypg
Passing defense: 2nd, 157.2 ypg
Scoring defense: 4th, 17.1 ppg
2003 LSU
Total defense: 1st, 252.0 ypg
Rushing defense: 1st, 67.0 ypg
Passing defense: 2nd, 185.0 ypg
Scoring defense: 1st, 11.0 ppg
2002 LSU
Total defense: 3rd, 286.8 ypg
Rushing defense: 5th, 134.1 ypg
Passing defnese: 1st, 152.7 ypg
Scoring defense: 5th, 18.3 ppg
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