A Sea Of Red

I got curious and did a little research on our D and how we have fared since Wimbo became D-Coordinator in 2012. Some interesting things that stood out to me.

"Wimberly coordinated a top-20-ranked defense in his first two seasons at Liberty. The Flames finished 2012 ranked No. 15 in the country in total defense and No. 9 in 2013. The Flames also ranked No. 5 in the country in scoring defense in 2013, as Liberty held opposing offenses to 17.6 points per game."

Would you say this is more a reflection on Rocco's players and their ability vs Wimbo coaching them to a top-20 ranking? It's been downhill since then.

Take a look at some of these statistics. Our defense gave up:

2012:

Passing YPG: 188
Rushing YPG: 126
Total YPG: 314
Points Allowed PG: 22

2013:

Passing YPG: 178
Rushing YPG: 135
Total YPG: 313
Points Allowed PG: 17

2014:

Passing YPG: 195
Rushing YPG: 185
Total YPG: 380
Points Allowed PG: 26

2015:

Passing YPG: 229
Rushing YPG: 146
Total YPG: 376
Points Allowed PG: 26

2016:

Passing YPG: 173
Rushing YPG: 219
Total YPG: 392
Points Allowed PG: 26

2017:

Passing YPG: 223
Rushing YPG: 225
Total YPG: 448
Points Allowed PG: 30

2018 (Through 5 games, as of 10/07):

Passing YPG: 237
Rushing YPG: 261
Total YPG: 499
Points Allowed PG: 37

So you see the yardage creeping up every year since 2012 and then really nosedive the last two seasons. One interesting note is that for a stretch of 2014-2016 our yardage allowed was going up but PPG stayed steady. Also taking that nosedive the last two years. So was Wimbo a great coach in 2012-2013 (He was named FCS Assistant Coach of the year in 2014 ) or was he riding the coattails of former staff's players? If he was a great coach and not a product of players then what happened specifically the last two seasons?

I’m wondering how much the 4-2-5 has to do with it. Those other stats were when we ran a 4-3.

Jonathan Carone wrote:I’m wondering how much the 4-2-5 has to do with it. Those other stats were when we ran a 4-3.

Great observation. Didn't even think of that. Seems like maybe the 4-2-5 experiment is a flop.

You have to question this, it was the kids. hahaha

Those numbers are so skewed.

Wimberly inherited Rocco’s players. He had 4 players (Hagan, Fogg, Aiken’s, and Davis) who played an NFL game. That doesn’t include Sigmon who was an all American. All Rocco’s players.

Even if they were not his players, does it matter? Is the complaint poor scheming or poor recruiting. If the former, wouldn't he have made them worse?

willflop wrote:Even if they were not his players, does it matter? Is the complaint poor scheming or poor recruiting. If the former, wouldn't he have made them worse?

They’ve gotten progressively worse. No one to blame but coaching.

What defense?

Seem like Wimberley is as confused as Gary Johnson searching for Aleppo on a map.

sigmo7 wrote:You have to question this, it was the kids. hahaha

Nick would have broken in half a couple of those little yapping NMSU receivers

In a 4-2-5 defense, when the 5 are making tackles, that means yards are being gained by opponents.

I’m okay with yards as long as you don’t break and allow scores. Our problem is bending, breaking, exploding, burning, got hit with a Mack truck. Got back up and hit again lol