John Graham is the assistant head coach and defensive coordinator at Eastern Washington University. In 2010, EWU won the FCS Championship. One of the priorities of both the coaching staff and the team before that championship season was a commitment to improved tackling through pursuit drills and angle tackling drills. Both drills were practiced regularly during the entire season.
In this issue of GS, Coach Graham details a day-to-day schedule of the drills along with the overall responsibilities of the defensive coaching staff. More specifically, what is accounted for – Sunday through Friday – in preparation for Saturday’s game. Additionally, Coach Graham has included the “EWU Staff Responsibilities Chart” that was used throughout the 2012 season.
The defensive coaches involved that season included Graham, Ryan Sawyer (Defensive Line), Josh Fetter (Linebackers), Jeff Schmedding (Safeties), and Cherokee Valeria (Cornerbacks). Each coach was assigned a breakdown of every opponent, a specific part of the defensive game plan for each week, and game day responsibilities. Also, assignments were made for daily practices, scouting reports, and detailed playbook information.
The “Defensive Staff Responsibilities” chart is on page 25. For example, Coach Graham was responsible for the overall defensive game plan, fronts and coverages, defensive sideline calls during the game, team scripts at defensive practices, scouting report down and distance information and the defensive philosophy for EWU which is contained in the playbook. The planning structure of EWU should assist the planning of defensive practices and responsibilities for coaching staffs across the country.
This issue of GS also includes an article on stopping the air raid offense, the “Bounce” passing package, the Stick Tackle Drill for defensive backs and our Point-Counterpoint feature on “Route Concepts and Defending Them.”
We hope you enjoy the entire issue and welcome your feedback.
Sincerely,
Rex Lardner
Managing Editor