Colorado University Athletics
Woelk: Leavitt Pleased With Defense's Progress
August 13, 2015 | Football, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — Almost as soon as Jim Leavitt took the job as Colorado's defensive coordinator, Buff fans wanted to know one thing:
Would the Buffs stick with a 4-3 defense, or would they switch to a 3-4?
The answer (drum roll please): Yes
They'll do both, and also throw in a little 4-2 for good measure when the situation dictates. In simple terms, Leavitt said, the Buffs will run whatever's necessary in an attempt to slow down the high-powered offenses that have become so prevalent in the Pac-12.
“We're going to be a little different,” Leavitt said after practice earlier this week. “We're doing a lot of hybrid things. We'll run some 4-3, we'll get into a little bit of 3-4 and some other stuff, even some 4-2.
“We'll just bang away at it and see if we can slow down somebody.”
Thus far in camp, the Buffs have indeed shown a wide variety of formations. They've used three linemen, four linemen, two interior linemen and two rush ends/linebackers — just about every possible combination, with an equally varied combination of players.
When Leavitt says “hybrid,” he's not exaggerating.
The good news is the Buffs have some depth this year. Thanks to some new faces via the junior college route, plus some returning experience, it will give Leavitt and defensive line coach Jim Jeffcoat some options up front. With plenty of experience also in the secondary, it means the Buffs will be able to rotate players in and out and keep them relatively fresh — and in a league that has turned up-tempo offenses into the norm, that's virtually a requirement.
But it's still a new system, which means a steep learning curve. For the older players on the team, Leavitt's system is the third in four years. That translates into new terminology, new formations and new techniques.
“Whole new system, third time, all different words,” Leavitt said. “We've kept some of the verbiage, but most of it has changed.”
Thus far, however, the reaction has been all positive. The players got their first look at Leavitt's system in spring ball, and he's been impressed in fall camp with how quickly they've absorbed the system.
“That's what I was worried about, but they are (absorbing it),” Leavitt said. “You know why? Because we're all in. I've been very impressed with them. Really, really proud of them.”
While most of the basics have been installed, Leavitt said there will in all likelihood be a few more wrinkles to come.
“Some of the defensive coaches don't know what else is coming,” Leavitt said with a laugh. “I keep saying, 'This is it,' and all of a sudden — boom, boom.
“We're doing a lot. We're working hard.”
It's no secret that the Buffs struggled on defense a year ago. They finished near the bottom of the nation in almost every defensive statistical category, and the simple truth is this: if the Buffs are going to increase their win total, it has to start with the defense.
“These offenses … it's crazy,” Leavitt said. “It's a great challenge for us. We'll just see if we can slow down somebody.”
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
