Contrary to what defensive lineman Torrodney Prevot said about Brady Hoke, the new Oregon defensive coordinator deliberately stated he has “no swag” Friday when talking to the media.
Regardless, Prevot’s comments seemed to indicate the new type of intensity that the former Michigan head coach has brought to spring practices this year — rather than illustrate a picture of him with the clothing style of Oregon assistants Don Pellum and Gary Campbell. Several players have appeared encouraged by Hoke’s loud voice and sense of urgency on the practice field, which has translated to an energy level that head coach Mark Helfrich said he liked.
“He’s all in your face,” Prevot said. “He wants you to run. We’re actually running on the field, running off the field. When we go to warm up, we have to run on the field full sprint.”
But, the positive energy levels won’t quite matter if Oregon doesn’t experience progress on defense this year, and Hoke gave an honest assessment about the unit Friday.
“We’re long way from being the defense we imagine,” he said.
Hoke talked more about his first two weeks as the defensive coordinator, the gradual installation of his new 4-3 system and his time spent in Eugene — which he says has consisted of being on the turf fields and at the Hatfield Dowlin Complex.
“That’s about where I’ve been,” Hoke added.
What are you impressions after two weeks working with the team this spring?
We got a lot to get better at. We got a great staff. I really like all the coaches, terminology, just the whole one-gap, two-gap getting up the field. We got a lot of work ahead of us, the kids have been receptive.
Do you feel like you have the bodies to do the 4-3?
I think right now it’s too early to say. There’s some length, which is good, there’s some athleticism, which is good. You play the game, you have pads on, it’s a physical game and you’ve got to be physical up front.
The players say your loud voice has created the intensity that they maybe need. How have you seen them respond to you the past two weeks?
The kids have been great. We’re trying to hold each other accountable for everything, and really when we become what we want to become, it’s their voices. It won’t be mine, so it’s a transition and learning for everybody.
How is it going settling into your new role?
It’s fun. We’ve got a great staff and I love defense, that’s where my heart has always been.
What changes have you been trying to make your first few months here?
I’m just being who I am as a coach. We expect us to get better every day as coaches. If we’re not more competitive than the coaches at USC, we’re making a mistake. I think just the work ethic the guys have shown in what we’ve done, there’s a lot of positives. We’re still not the team we need to be.
Don Pellum didn’t really have a playbook, and the guys have been comparing your playbook to a Harry Potter book. Have you gotten much feedback about your playbook?
My skills in technology aren’t very good. I need paper and I need to see things that way. There’s a ton of defense we could run and put in. But, we’ve got to be smart enough as coaches to have so much in that from a mental stand point they can’t play the way we want them to play.
Canton Kaumatule came here with a lot of expectations. He said the other day he’s really excited to play in your defense. How do you see him fitting into your scheme?
Well, I think from a physical standpoint and what he looks like, he should be a guy who can be a three or a five. The one thing that’s held him back is he’s been beat up a little bit. If you’re not out there you can’t be evaluated, and if you can’t be evaluated you can’t play. Hopefully he’ll get back because he needs to progress a lot.
What do you try to get out in the practice field and what’s your coaching style?
There’s a lot of honesty and we told them that we’r going to coach you hard, and we’re going to be consistent. Personally, getting out on the field is my funnest time being with those kids. Mrs. Hoke doesn’t like that, but that really is. You can’t play the game if you don’t have energy, I don’t know how you could coach it if you don’t have it.
Follow Justin Wise on Twitter @JustinFWise