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Are we currently witnessing the end of the defensive coordinator-head coach pipeline?
All three big name schools, Florida, Nebraska and Michigan, just fired former defensive coordinators turned head coaches. Both UF and Nebraska just hired offensive minded guys. None of the “candidates” or hopefuls being tossed around by any of these schools are or were current or former defensive coordinators.
It seems like we are witnessing the end of perhaps not only defensive guys as head coaches, but an era of great defenses in general. I mean just take a look around college football right now. How many truly great — all-time great or even decade great — defenses are there? Zilch, arguably.
That brings me to Kirby Smart of Alabama. He’s the last of the mohicans when it comes to defensive coordinators that still pop up as a viable head coach candidates. The general consensus is that he’s either a Bama lifer or UGA’s next head coach.
Question is, has he held on too long? As head coaching opportunities for defensive coordinators erode, are Smart’s options, even at UGA or Bama, dwindling as well?
College football has evolved into an offensive arms race. Who can score the most, control the game the most, and win in the most dominating fashion to impress the playoff committee? The things this College Football Playoff committee seemed to hold dearest were geared toward big-time offensive firepower.
Just a thought.
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