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Ranking the top ten defensive coaches in college football

By Nicholas Ian Allen

Apr 18, 2015; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Kirby Smart talks to linebacker Walker Jones (35) during the A-day game at Bryant Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 18, 2015; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Kirby Smart talks to linebacker Walker Jones (35) during the A-day game at Bryant Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 23, 2013; Clemson, SC, USA; Clemson Tigers defensive coordinator Brent Venables reacts during the fourth quarter against the Citadel Bulldogs at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Tigers won 52-6. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 23, 2013; Clemson, SC, USA; Clemson Tigers defensive coordinator Brent Venables reacts during the fourth quarter against the Citadel Bulldogs at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Tigers won 52-6. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports /

As much attention as Chad Morris received during his tenure as Clemson’s offensive coordinator, the Tigers were even better defensively – especially in 2014. Brent Venables, who joined head coach Dabo Swinney’s staff as defensive coordinator in 2012, led the nation’s top unit last season – and it really wasn’t close.

Clemson allowed just 260.8 yards per game last season, which was 17.9 yards fewer than Penn State, who finished second. Opponents gained just 4.03 yards per play against the Tigers last season, which was also the best in the nation. Stanford finished second with 4.21 yards allowed per play. Clemson also led the nation with an incredible 10.1 tackles for loss per game (131 total). TCU was second with 8.6 per game and Ohio State averaged 9.4 per contest.

The Tigers had the nation’s best passing efficiency defense last season (98.32) and allowed just 2,046 yards through the air, which ranked second. Just as good against the run, Clemson ranked fifth nationally in rush defense (103.4 yards per game).

Furthermore, teams scored 16.7 points per game last year against Clemson, which was a very close third to Ole Miss (16.0 points per game) and Stanford (16.4). The Tigers accumulated a healthy 45 sacks last season, which was tied for seventh nationally, and ranked sixth with 3.46 sacks per game.

For his performance, Venables was named the Defensive Coordinator of the Year by FootballScoop.com, which means his peers and former winners of the award elected him. He is also considered one of the nation’s top recruiters.

Venables played football for Bill Snyder at Kansas State and coached there from 1993-98 before joining Bob Stoops at Oklahoma as co-defensive coordinator in 1999 (at the age of 29) and helped the program win the national title the following season. He was promoted to DC in 2004 and led the Sooners defense for 8 seasons.

Next: 7. Charlie Strong

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