The nickname “Thunder Dan” was once reserved for NBA basketball player Dan Majerle and, later around Gainesville, for Dan Werner – even if Werner didn’t do much to earn it in his final years. But I’m giving it away today to another guy.
The next time you’re walking up to the Gator football practice field, give a listen. The first voice you hear is likely going to be that of Dan McCarney, the vocal defensive line coach. The reasons being that (a) Mac is the loudest coach; (b) he never stops yelling; and (c) direct confrontation is his method of choice.
McCarney is a relentless, hard-driving, high energy, in-your-face coach who keeps turning out future NFL lineman because he won’t settle for anything but their dead-level best. You can’t hide your talents in McCarney’s defensive line. Otherwise you will feel Dan’s wrath and hear his thunder.
Once again, even after the loss of two second-round defensive ends, the Gator defensive line isn’t going to miss a beat. Jermaine Cunningham and Carlos Dunlap will be playing on Sundays now, but there are plenty of guys left around “The Swamp” to play on Saturday.
If you watched the D-Line in the spring, you really only got a glimpse at a skeleton crew. Four of the five tremendously talented freshmen were not yet there. Three veteran interior linemen who sat out with injury are expected to be recovered by the fall: Lawrence Marsh, Terron Sanders and Brandon Antwine (maybe). Together, those three represent eight years experience.
Along with the current crop of eight other experienced D-linemen representing 14 years experience, and those five hotshot freshmen, McCarney is well-manned in the trenches.
“It’s a real good blend,” McCarney says, meaning of youth and experience.
Don’t ask him to project the future of the Fab Five Freshmen. Yeah, he’s excited about Ronald Powell, Sharif Floyd, Dominique Easley, Leon Orr and Lynden Trail. He knows about the athleticism of Powell, who could easily compete for a job at defensive end, and Trail, who high jumped 6-8 this year. He can tell you that he’s proud that Orr has dropped about 30 or more pounds. And he’s pretty sure one or more of the five will contribute (or start) before the season is halfway over.
“I could care less about a guy’s age,” said McCarney. “Young or old. The best players will play.”
On the other hand, until they prove themselves on the field, nobody gets any kudos and reputations will be checked at the door.
Of course, the Fab Five are going to have a tough time breaking into the front four of Justin Trattou at defensive end, Omar Hunter or Marsh at nose guard, Jaye Howard or Sanders at defensive tackle and Duke Lemmons or William Green at fox end. And not to be forgotten are DE Lerentee McCray, Antwine at NG and Earl Okine at DT.
Trattou and Howard are among those workout warriors getting rave reviews in the weight room from Mickey Marotti. McCarney is hoping to see step-up performances this fall from McCray and Okine.
McCarney believes in sweat equity and he won’t just pass over the players who helped Florida’s defense roll up a 26-2 record for the past two seasons. And even though there’s a new defensive coordinator, Teryl Austin, the rules of engagement for the D-Line are the same:
“We’re still going to be one of the fastest defenses,” said McCarney. “We’re going to have an attack style and try to stop the ball carrier behind the line. We will pressure the quarterback. And swarm to the ball.”
There will be a few tweaks of the defense under new coordinator Austin, McCarney said, but they are all compatible with the system the Gators ran under Charlie Strong. “Teryl has some good ideas that he used both in Seattle and Arizona,” McCarney added.
There are just so many ways defensive linemen can come after the ball carriers and the quarterback, however, and McCarney’s technique has worked well. So it’s not likely to change.
There is still an air of mystery about whether the Gator defense will feature a four- or three-man front, but it almost doesn’t matter. The important component is talent and the way McCarney uses it. If, for instance, Powell can contend for a starting DE job, he can play with his hand on the ground or without (see Carlos Dunlap). Viola! Instant three-four or four-three. That kind of versatility has a dramatic impact on both depth and competitive excellence. And if one or two players arise as dominant, the defense adapts accordingly to feature them.
That is why it’s going to be fun to see how the youngsters develop when the rest of them report on June 21 and when they get to fall camp. The ultimate mix will help decide if these 2010 Gators are going to be real contenders in the SEC. As a teacher and motivator, McCarney is one of the best.
On any given day at practice, you will be hearing McCarney’s raspy voice exhorting his charges – over and over and over.
It’s how “Thunder Dan” rolls.