April 17, 2002
By Wes Durham, Voice of the Yellow Jackets
When first year head football coach Chan Gailey puts the wraps on his first spring practice with Georgia Tech on Saturday, it will bring to a close a fast orientation for his defensive unit. The most experienced part of the 2002 Yellow Jackets has been learning the philosophy, technique and attitude which new defensive coordinator Jon Tenuta expects to see next fall.
Before the first practice, there was a crash course of sorts for Tenuta, in learning not only the new personnel he would have the chance to coach, but also his new coaching colleagues in the defensive meeting room.
“We are starting out together, so you have to learn your staff members first and foremost, then study all your players. Obviously they are the guys that are going to make the plays for you. I’m blessed to have nine starters back and some darn good football players,” Tenuta said after practice at Rose Bowl field.
Tenuta’s arrival in Atlanta was the last piece to Gailey’s staff, and the veteran coordinator was given a group of defenders that held high-powered Stanford in check on the way to victory in the Seattle Bowl last December. Tenuta was fresh off the reconstruction of North Carolina’s defense with a unit that ultimately featured two almost-certain first round picks in this week’s NFL Draft. Prior to that, he was coordinating the defense at Ohio State.
The Buckeyes had several first round prospects on a unit that was always regarded near the top of the Big Ten in Tenuta’s five seasons as an assistant, including the 2000 campaign as coordinator. Coaching stops at Oklahoma, SMU, Kansas State, Marshall, Vanderbilt and Maryland fill out the coaching worksheet of the former Virginia defensive back.
All the influences have led to the development of a defensive package that preaches aggressiveness on several fronts.
“To be aggressive, you have to allow your players to play fast. I want them to play fast, but play smart, with no foolish penalties. Then you have to play physical football. I am a firm believer in those (principles),” Tenuta said.
With those traits in hand, the mental approach continues with the mentality that you can score on defense. It’s a tactic that Tech used to its advantage during the ACC championship run of 1998, by returning seven fumbles for touchdowns. Tenuta preaches the same concept for the aggressive approach he hopes the defense will have this fall. Scoring is complemented by creating turnovers and earning three-and-outs against the opponent.
These values have been loaded into a veteran unit that Tenuta recognizes as well-taught and eager to learn.
“These players here (Tech) have been schooled well and they understand concepts and what you want. So it’s a little bit faster in terms of being aggressive. Once they see how it works, they get excited about it, and that is breeding the nature of play that I want from them.”
Among the nine starters back are two of Tech’s best in the last two campaigns, junior linebacker Daryl Smith and senior end Greg Gathers. Smith, after an injury-filled sophomore season, could be a strong candidate for the Butkus Award this fall.
“Daryl is a big man who can run and has everything you look for in a linebacker. He is one of the best linebackers I have ever been around or seen play. Some of that is natural athletic ability, but he’s a heckuva football player.”
Gathers is already Tech’s career leader in sacks and has twice been selected for All-ACC honors. The 6-1, 275 pound frame from which Gathers works might be one of his secrets.
“He is not prototype by size, but he plays the game with great leverage and has tremendous body lean. He always pressing trying to make something happen,” Tenuta said.
Those two players are just the start of what could be a solid unit for Tenuta. Safety Jeremy Muyres (6-3, 205) has played as much football in the last three years as anybody in the ACC and now appears ready for a big senior season. Nine starters come back with familiar names who have seemingly been there longer than their years might indicate.
Recardo Wimbush (6-1, 218) is a three-year starter, who has almost 300 career tackles. Keyaron Fox (6-3, 220) is back for his junior year after playing a lot in his first two seasons. Strong Safety Cory Collins (5-11, 199) has been a strong presence in the secondary the last two years.
Where does all the input lead Tech this fall?
Tenuta is no different than Jacket fans in that he wants to see an aggressive unit that makes things happen. After being disappointed last fall in their own play, the defensive players have been given a chance to author a comeback this fall under Tenuta’s watch. Despite the past, the new coordinator recognizes the opportunity that his unit has, if they will meet the challenges.
“You can’t change history and you can’t go back. You have to build on what you have here. I think if they take the right personality and that aggressive mental toughness aspect into play this year, they can be as good as the best defense in the ACC.”
SPRING NOTES…
Head coach Chan Gailey said in his opening press conference that special teams would be an emphasis for his Tech program. To that effect, Gailey has assistant coach Tommy Raye, who handles just special teams. It’s a common sight in professional football, but rarely in the college game do you find a coach whose sole responsibility is special teams. Such is the case with Raye, a native of Macon, who has also handled this unit at Auburn and TCU.
Two notable jersey number changes for the Jackets this spring have been Jonathan Smith’s move from No. 82 to No. 21, and tailback Jermaine Hatch, who traded No. 36 for No. 6. At 6-2, 205, Hatch is almost too big to be wearing a single-digit, but the junior from Baton Rouge, who missed all of last year with a knee injury, has been sporting it in non-contact drills this spring.
