Leach Teams Do Not Play Defense?

[engie]

Texas Tech Post Leach Big12 Scoring Defense: 11, 9, 7, 7, 10, 9, 10, 8, 7, 9. So they've been worst or second worst in the Big12 6 times in the last 10 years in scoring defense. Average finish: 8.8 of 10

Texas Tech With Leach: 6, 8, 10, 9, 9, 2, 8, 6, 4, 6. They were NEVER worst or second worst in the Big12(it was still a 12 team league then). Most of the time in the very middle of the pack. Average finish: 6.8 of 12

That record indicates that there isn't jack for defensive talent in west Texas and Mike Leach got a lot more out of it than any of his successors have. And one of those successors was Pine Box himself, known for a lifetime of stingy defenses.

Washington State Pre-Leach: 9, 10, 10, 10, 10, 6, 8, 9. Worst or second worst in 5 of the 8 years and bad to terrible every year(a 10 team league all but the last season). Average finish: 9 of 10.

Washington State with Leach: 10, 10, 10, 7, 6, 4, 5, 8. Again never worst or second worst. Once it was "built" has stuck around them middle of the pack. Average finish: 7.5 of 12.

That record indicates that there's no defensive talent in Pullman Washington and Leach is getting more out of it than his predecessors did.

The reality is quite a bit different than the commonly accepted and often repeated statements on the matter.

 

[TheStateUofMS]

Good info. His offense being so good probably puts defense on the field more often than other teams, so if there's some type of "adjusted" defensive stats, he's probably higher.

I could be wrong but also seems to me while at WSU he's always had 1 or 2 big time DTs too.

Good stuff, Engie.

 

[RPOdawg]

All he has to do is retain shoop or idk hire another competent DC. The reason he’s never had an elite d has more to do with conferences he’s coached in. None of them play D.

 

[OliveBranchDAWG]

yeah let's go hire a 59 year old that just went 6-7 at Washington State. He would be an absolute disaster in the SEC West

 

[RPOdawg]

yeah let's go hire a 59 year old that just went 6-7 at Washington State. He would be an absolute disaster in the SEC West

He won 11 games a Washington state 2 years ago. What’s your point ?

 

[FlotownDawg]

I can't believe Florida hired that bum Dan Mullen. He went 6-7 in 2016. What a loser. Why would anyone want him? In the eight years prior to Leach taking over, Washington State's record was 29-66. Paul Wulff was head coach for four years before Leach was hired and went 9-40. They were probably the worst Power 5 team in the country when Leach took over. It took him three years to get the program going, but even in one of those years, they went to a bowl game. After his first three seasons (record 12-25), he has gone 43-22 over the past five. That is at a place where his predecessor was 9-40 and is located in the middle of nowhere. But yeah, he had a 6-7 record last year so he obviously sucks. Forget that the previous season they went 11-2 and were a win over Washington away from playing in the Pac 12 Championship Game.

 

[deadheaddawg]

If you really look into Leach's career, it's pretty clear he would be a GREAT HIRE

 

[TheStateUofMS]

I'm leaning that way too...all hires are a crap shoot regardless.

Leach has been successful at TTU and WSU. Similar to MSU but conferences aren't similar at all. Look at what Engie said about his defenses though. He was always middle of the pack in those conferences. No reason to think he can't be middle of the pack here.

 

[tired]

His s&c program/coach? How does he run a program? They all can't be run the same. No doubt he's and X's & O's borderline genius offensively, and the offense would be better. That can't be questioned. Who will be his DC, OC, other staff members? Does his record last year mean he's headed down? I'm not knocking him, there's just alot of question I'd have, which I'm sure Cohen would have some of the same, and would get answered. If those answers satisfy John, he has a good plan, understands the difficulty of the SEC West, and still thinks he can win here, maybe.

 

[JackShephard]

Texas Tech Post Leach Big12 Scoring Defense: 11, 9, 7, 7, 10, 9, 10, 8, 7, 9. So they've been worst or second worst in the Big12 6 times in the last 10 years in scoring defense. Average finish: 8.8 of 10

Texas Tech With Leach: 6, 8, 10, 9, 9, 2, 8, 6, 4, 6. They were NEVER worst or second worst in the Big12(it was still a 12 team league then). Most of the time in the very middle of the pack. Average finish: 6.8 of 12

That record indicates that there isn't jack for defensive talent in west Texas and Mike Leach got a lot more out of it than any of his successors have. And one of those successors was Pine Box himself, known for a lifetime of stingy defenses.

Washington State Pre-Leach: 9, 10, 10, 10, 10, 6, 8, 9. Worst or second worst in 5 of the 8 years and bad to terrible every year(a 10 team league all but the last season). Average finish: 9 of 10.

Washington State with Leach: 10, 10, 10, 7, 6, 4, 5, 8. Again never worst or second worst. Once it was "built" has stuck around them middle of the pack. Average finish: 7.5 of 12.

That record indicates that there's no defensive talent in Pullman Washington and Leach is getting more out of it than his predecessors did.

The reality is quite a bit different than the commonly accepted and often repeated statements on the matter.

The problem isn't that his teams "don't play defense". It's the pace of the game. He wants to score in 10 seconds, which is great, but it tires out a defense and puts them in a position to where it's almost always trying to defend against HR swings.

 

[Philly Dawg]

You know what you’ve got. He will get the 6-7 wins as a floor and have a chance for more.

 

[engie]

The problem isn't that his teams "don't play defense". It's the pace of the game. He wants to score in 10 seconds, which is great, but it tires out a defense and puts them in a position to where it's almost always trying to defend against HR swings.

Which makes his middle of the pack defenses seem all the more impressive.

We'll give him depth and talent on that side on a level he's never seen before.

 

[JackShephard]

Which makes his middle of the pack defenses seem all the more impressive.

We'll give him depth and talent on that side on a level he's never seen before.

It's possible. We'll see, that's for sure. And I'm not saying I don't agree with you, just trying to frame the argument correctly.

 

[Ralph Cramden]

There is a huge difference in going 6 and 7 in the SEC west and going 6 and 7 in the PAC 12. Don't get me wrong I like Leach personally. I will be a huge supporter but I wanna see his coordinator and staff

 

[rynodawg]

If Leach stays five or more years,, and the WORST that he ever does is 6-7, then the hire will be a massive success.

Keeping bowl streak alive, and avoiding a return to the 3 win days is critical.