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Auburn hired former Florida coach Will Muschamp as defensive coordinator on Dec. 12, making him the highest-paid — and perhaps highest profile — assistant in college football.
Less than three weeks later, Texas A&M hired defensive coordinator John Chavis away from LSU, giving him a similar contract in terms of compensation.
Both coordinators reportedly are getting paid more than $1.6 million.
We asked SDS Auburn writer Jordan Cox and Texas A&M writer Brett Weisband to evaluate the hires.
1. Which hire will make a bigger impact in 2015, John Chavis at Texas A&M or Will Muschamp at Auburn?
Cox: I think the easy answer is Will Muschamp at Auburn because there’s a perception the level of talent is better at Auburn. Maybe it is across the board, but I think John Chavis at Texas A&M will have a bigger impact in his first season. The Aggies have two cornerstone pieces in defensive end Myles Garrett and defensive back Armani Watts, both of whom are impact players. The Tigers don’t have those types of parts on its defense, though Muschamp is inheriting some good pieces. Both coordinators have their work cut out for them, but I think Chavis has the better first season.
Weisband: Muschamp. Auburn was much closer to having a competent defense than Texas A&M in 2015, and Muschamp should be able to raise them up to an acceptable level in a flash. It took Chavis two seasons to get LSU into the top 15 nationally in defense, and with a broken system in College Station it could take him until 2016 to really have the Aggies up to speed.
2. Will these defenses undergo the biggest change from a schematic/philosophy standpoint?
Cox: Auburn’s biggest change will be philosophically. From Ellis Johnson’s 4-2-5 to Muschamp’s 4-3, the personnel is already in place to make the change. Johnson recruited long, rangy guys on the defensive front, whereas Muschamp may want size, but the bulk of Auburn’s work this offseason will come in the meeting rooms and the practice field.
Weisband: Texas A&M’s corners will have to learn to play press coverage without much safety help, a staple of Chavis’ defenses throughout his career, while those safeties will have to get used to playing a variety of different roles, especially in spread coverage. Defensive ends like Myles Garrett will also have to get used to being isolated out on the edge. Chavis runs a 4-3 scheme, which fits the personnel on hand at Texas A&M.
3. Do the up-tempo offenses of Gus Malzahn and Kevin Sumlin help or hurt the Muschamp and Chavis defenses?
Cox: I don’t think the offensive systems of each team’s head coach play as big a role as many think. Both Muschamp and Chavis have always been good at adapting to tempo or style of play, and each coordinator should do the same at Auburn and Texas A&M. The game is becoming increasingly offensive, but both teams have to face a club like Bret Bielema’s Arkansas team who relies on physicality. Sure, Muschamp’s and Chavis’ defenses will be prepared for tempo-based schemes, but should be successful against any style.
Weisband: Up-tempo offenses can certainly be tough on a defense when they’re not executing; consistently short drives by an offense can wear the defense down in a hurry. Auburn’s hurry-up puts a bit less strain on the defense, thanks to the heavy doses of zone-read running, but if the offense is trotting off after every third down that will inevitably cause defensive breakdowns.
4. Evaluate the personnel each coordinator inherits.
Cox: Auburn loses Gabe Wright, LaDarius Owens and few other players on its defensive line. Kris Frost and Cassanova McKinzy are still weighing their options at linebacker, though it seems increasingly likely neither will return in 2015. Jermaine Whitehead, Robenson Therezie, Justin Garrett and Jonathan Mincy all depart the secondary. Muschamp inherits a bonafide playmaker in cornerback Jonathan Jones, but has some holes to fill. The Tigers have several prospects with high upside coming in with its 2015 recruiting class.
Weisband: Texas A&M has plenty of talent on hand and more in the pipeline, but there is much development to be done. Myles Garrett has star-level talent, but will have to develop consistency and gain an appreciation for defending the run. He inherits a defense that has been recruiting solid talent but hasn’t done much with it. Several of the four- and five-star recruits from recent years have found their way on the field, like Armani Watts and Otaro Alaka, but other young players still have not gotten that opportunity.
5. Which hire ultimately will work out better?
Cox: That’s a tough question. Ultimately, I think the Chavis hire works out best. There’s no doubt Muschamp wants to be a head coach again and likely will not stay at Auburn long-term. Chavis is a seasoned veteran in the SEC, and should end his career with the Aggies. With over 30 years success in the league, against a myriad of offensive systems, Chavis’ defenses have never wavered. Kevin Sumlin and the Aggies hit a home run.
Weisband: Chavis. Just a hunch, but I see him staying with the Aggies for longer than Muschamp stays at Auburn before taking a head coaching job. Texas A&M has much more room for improvement on defense, so if Chief can make them just a viable defense every year it’ll elevate the Aggies to the contender status Auburn has already occupied in recent years.
An itinerant journalist, Christopher has moved between states 11 times in seven years. Formally an injury-prone Division I 800-meter specialist, he now wanders the Rockies in search of high peaks.
