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Mississippi State’s defensive side has been a coaching carousel of recent, namely 2016 marking six defensive coordinators in head coach Dan Mullen’s eight years, three in as many years.
Peter Sirmon is the latest. Sirmon is one of four new coaches for the Bulldogs defense, including corners and safeties coaches Terrell Buckley and Maurice Linguist and line coach Brian Baker.
It wasn’t an overhaul due to lack of success. Former coordinator Manny Diaz joined Mark Richt at Miami. Cornerbacks coach Deshea Townsend left for the Tennessee Titans, and Jackson State named former safeties coach and recruiting coordinator Tony Hughes its head coach. That made way for Linguist. Baker replaced David Turner, who accepted a similar role at Texas A&M.
SIRMON SWITCHING IT UP
Sirmon brings from Southern Cal a multiple defense, but one that will be based out of the 3-4. The Bulldogs have been based in a 4-3.
“I think he’s probably a better fit because of the personnel they’ve got on the roster,” said Bulldawgs247 publisher Paul Jones.
Jones sees the big defensive ends (A.J. Jefferson and Johnathan Calvin), 6-foot-5, 325-pound nose guard Nick James and a talented group of returning linebackers that make up the necessities for Sirmon’s 3-4.
NEW FACES BRING NEW IDEAS
Baker spent 20 years in the NFL and knows what it takes to get there. Under Baker, Jones sees that the Bulldogs’ defensive line will be transformed into a group forced to focus more on technique.
Another NFL talent, Super Bowl winner Buckley will also serve as recruiting coordinator.
“I think they upgraded. I think he’s probably a better recruiter than Deshea but still similar in the way they coach,” Jones said. Both want to be aggressive, man.”
Linguist comes in well below the radar of the other three, with a résumé that includes Valdosta State, James Madison, Buffalo and Iowa State. But Jones said the former All-Big 12 pick brings more than a new voice.
“This is not a knock on older coaches, and they respected Tony Hughes with the utmost respect, but Maurice is able to go do drills with them,” Jones said. “He’s young enough that he can go through it by example. That kind of builds a little bit closer bond, and they needed that because of how close Tony was with that group.”
COORDINATOR CAROUSEL
There was Chris Wilson, Geoff Collins and Diaz. This spring, the defense lined up primarily in Sirmon’s 3-4.
It should uptick the viper role, a spot that demands a player who can rush the quarterback but also drop into coverage and hold the edge.
That has been senior Will Coleman (6-foot-5, 250), who is able to sneak out into coverage against some tight ends and backs.
The viper is shaped as a hybrid defensive end/linebacker. Jones said he is seeing a good battle between Coleman and athletic junior college transfer Traver Jung.
BETTER OR WORSE IN 2016?
Losing dynamic quarterback Dak Prescott doesn’t leave a lot of wiggle room for the defense to struggle as the offense figures it out.
The personnel is there on defense, a quality mix of seniors like LB Richie Brown, and young players like redshirt freshman DL Fletcher Adams and redshirt freshman LB Leo Lewis.
“I think what probably puts this defensive staff over the older one is one, I think it’s stronger recruiting, more emphasis there, but I think the fit with the 3-4 is going to tell the tale,” Jones said. “I think they’ve got the players to do it.”
