Colorado University Athletics
Jeffcoat's Experience Benefits Colorado D-Line
Traditionally, spring brings a certain sense of optimism and reprisal and perhaps no place in college football needed it more than Colorado.
After a 1-11 record in 2012 the Buffaloes made a change in coaching staff. Looking for a fresh start, Colorado hired Mike MacIntyre from San Jose State as head coach. A one-win season usually signifies that all facets of a team were misfiring but among the most glaring needs was fixing a defense that in certain areas was statistically the worst in school history in 2012.
As a result, the program focused on making key changes on that side of the ball. One of MacIntyre's first moves was to bring in 15-year NFL defensive end Jim Jeffcoat to coach a defensive line that was at or near the bottom of the Pac-12 Conference in rush defense and quarterback sacks last season, two statistical categories Jeffcoat believes can be directly attributed to the defensive line.
"We have a lot of work to do," Jeffcoat said. "We have to improve against the run first. That will make teams one dimensional and then we can get better at rushing the quarterback. It won't happen overnight but they're working hard and taking notes and trying to get better."
Jeffcoat's task to improve a unit that gave up 5.9 yards per carry last season, the program's worst on record, and had just 19 sacks may seem like a monumental one but he is no stranger to drastic turnarounds.
While playing at Arizona State, Jeffcoat was an integral part of a defense that went from 67th nationally in scoring defense in 1980 to second in scoring defense and first in total defense just two years later.
Prior to his arrival in Boulder, Jeffcoat also served as MacIntyre's defensive line coach at San Jose State where he oversaw a unit that went from just 16 sacks in 2011 to 42 in 2012, fifth best in the country.
"(At San Jose State) we first had to work on playing much better run defense then we could work on other things," Jeffcoat said. "I just tried to teach them to be relentless and keep at it and good things will happen. We are trying to do the same things here."
This fall, Jeffcoat will lead a group of 15 defensive lineman, only five of which are upperclassmen, and with the graduation of tackle Will Pericak, an already relatively inexperienced unit will have to improve without the exploits of its most experienced player and last season's leading tackler among all defensive lineman. His exit means a group of underclassmen will be asked to step up and fill a void up the middle.
"I like this group," said Jeffcoat. "It's not to be expected that we'll fix things overnight but as long as we keep at it we'll be ok. (Tackles) Nate Bonsu, Tyler Henington, and Samson Kafovalu are aggressive, tough guys who we think will step up and play well."
While the tackle position will see an infusion of raw youth and minimal experience, the end position will welcome a little more continuity and stability. The projected starters at defensive end, Chidera Uzo-Diribe and Kirk Poston, both saw significant time last year and although they finished the season 1-2 on the team in sacks, Jeffcoat is most excited about the leaps both players could potentially take next season.
"They're relentless," said Jeffcoat. "They are working on understanding better how to rush the passer and that you have to play the run first before you can go after the quarterback. In baseball, you're a great hitter if you hit .350 but how many times did you fail? You won't always get there but you just have to be relentless and keep at it and that's what makes a good defensive end."
Uzo-Diribe's seven sacks last season are among the most of any returning Pac-12 player and as he attempts to improve on those numbers, he will have a teacher who brings a pedigree that is unmatched in college football. No assistant in the football bowl subdivision has more NFL experience than Jeffcoat. As a member of both the Dallas Cowboys and Buffalo Bills from 1983-97, Jeffcoat recorded 102.5 sacks, enough to place him alongside the top pass rushers in NFL history.
"(Uzo-Diribe) plays at a high level," said Jeffcoat. "As he gets better at stopping the run he will become even better. I know from experience that (becoming great) doesn't happen overnight."
Jeffcoat's career in football now spans roughly four decades including 12 years as an assistant at both the professional and college level. Even though he has accomplished a lot during that time he doesn't ever feel like he has achieved all he set out to in a game he has spent most of his life learning, playing or teaching.
"(Being an assistant) is rewarding and but you always aspire to becoming a head coach one day," said Jeffcoat. "I love working with these kids and helping them become better."
As his coaching career makes yet another stop and a new era begins for both himself and an illustrious football program, Jeffcoat has brought new found excitement and intrigue to a team in desperate need of it. If the Buffaloes are to improve upon a defense that saw record lows last season adding a celebrated football great is a step in the right direction.