After a 2007 season in which the Gopher Football team had the worst defense in all of college football, Ted Roof has been given the challenge of rebuilding the Gopher defense.  Roof was successful as the defensive coordinator for Georgia Tech through 2001, which led to his recent stint as head coach at Duke.  Duke has historically had a terrible football program, and the hope is that their abysmal record in recent years is not a reflection of Roof’s coaching ability.  Duke’s athletic department is dominated by the basketball program, and local recruits are also courted by North Carolina, Virginia Tech, and schools in the SEC.  My guess is that Roof had an impossible mountain to climb due to Duke’s lackluster reputation in football, intense recruiting competition, and unrealistic academic admission standards.  Consider this excerpt from Duke Magazine containing a quote from a professor at Duke:

“I have never attempted any scientific survey of the faculty, but I suspect the majority have little interest in football and no idea what Duke is doing, or why,” says law professor Paul Haagen, director of Duke’s Center for Sports Law and Policy. “Some people clearly believe that intercollegiate athletics has developed in ways inconsistent with the goal of the university, that Duke has already gone too far in making concessions to football, and that we should be going in the other direction.”

With a reputation as a great recruiter and a defensive expert, Roof has nowhere to go but up with his current job.

Under Glen Mason, it often appeared that the Gopher defense played “not to lose.”  Blitzes were infrequent, the pass rush was average at best, and defensive backs usually gave receivers a sizable cushion.  Somehow, the talented players almost always seemed to end up on offense.  Undoubtedly, the loss of Alex Daniels, E.J. Jones, and Dominic Jones hurt the Gopher defense in 2007.  There were several games in which one or two defensive lapses sealed the loss for the Gophers, or where a single big play could have reversed the outcome.  Perhaps one or two skilled defensive players could have been the difference maker.  Ranking last in the nation for total defense and surrendering over 500 yards per game in total yardage necessitated a change.

For 2008, the Gophers have brought in several players that should make an immediate impact on defense.  Junior college transfer Tramaine Brock should make an immediate impact as a safety, and has drawn rave reviews from coaches.  Defensive end Cedric McKinley and linebacker Rex Sharpe are also junior college transfers who should immediately add size, skill, and speed to the Gopher defense.  Junior College transfers Simoni Lawrence and Traye “Big Play” Simmons will add speed and skill in the defensive backfield on a defensive roster with vastly improved talent.

Returning players will be one year older and one year wiser in an aggressive defensive scheme.  After having 10 sacks in 2006, Willie VanDeSteeg had only 1 in 2007.  He was supposedly not at full strength due to an arm injury, and apparently now has a newfound dedication to becoming a dominant defensive player.

If the success of the 2000 and 2001 Georgia Tech defense is indicative of Ted Roof’s coaching ability, the Gopher Nation should be able to expect marked improvement in defensive play for 2008.  Teams such as Michigan and Ohio State routinely field defenses loaded with fourth and fifth year blue chip recruits, so don’t expect Roof’s defense to be near the top of the Big Ten.  However, improving to the middle of the pack just might allow the Gophers to win a few more games than last year and bring back a bowl bid.  With new talent and experienced players returning, don’t be surprised if the Gopher Nation wants to “raise the Roof” come the end of the season.

Slow guys don’t make big plays. - Ted Roof