It may seem like it...but this year was actually worse. Last year, even with no D coordinator for half the year, our defense finished ranked 42nd out of 131 in total defense (362.2 yards per game) This year, with Toney, we are ranked 102 out of 131 in total defense (415.2 yards per game)
Just how important is a defense towards winning and championships? Ask bama and uga. Good luck winning a championship of any kind without one. Our AD has put a lot of money/emphasis on new buildings and all, but if you don't pursue a great D coach, you're just getting a participation trophy and a weedwacker bowl.
countering that no one can make sh…. With shinola. That is kind of Leonard’s specialty. They have 6 defensive players rated 4 stars on their entire roster. That is actually more than usual (I’m from Wisconsin so follow them a little). His defense is the epitome of doing more with less. Imagine what he could do with Napier level recruiting talent? I’m guessing Leonard would have been able to get some major improvements from the players we had this year.
I agree with most of your post. The problem the Gators have with getting a good DC is that for the past decade, the Gators had three head coaches (4 if count Napier). A good college DC is not going to give the Gators a sniff until Napier get 3 or more years under his belt at UF. The reason I said this is because, there is no way in hell a good college (or even NFL) DC going to sign on with UF if the HBC is even near the hot seat.
The turnover at HC around here will scare some good people away for sure. We need to ride this one for a while and give him a chance to turn us into something the nation respects again. Let him get better in the job and stop the bitching about how UF deserves better than OTJ coaching. We don’t deserve anything beyond what we’ve got - over the past 10 years we’ve done this to ourselves. We have a good man at the wheel now - time to take a lesson from Clemson and Michigan and give him a chance to turn this into something good. No matter what the impatient newbies demand, this is gonna take time to do the right way. Go Gators
I meant on defense, agree that "game changers" have been bad and the coach/analyst/whatever he is need not be retained.
I doubt it could happen but if Bateman left then Toney could move down to ILB and Leonhard could coach safeties. Not sure it would even be possible to pay Chaos, Toney, and Leonhard as Co-DCs.
Why? He doesn't coach the players. Analysts are not allowed to coach the players. He puts together game plans and analytics for the on the field coaches to implement.
Being reported that JL is staying on with the Badgers. https://wisportsheroics.com/breaking-jim-leonhard-accepts-next-coaching-job/
Guy makes $1.5M a year in Madison WI. That's 1,500,000 reasons to stay, especially if you like the job. Why would he change?
