Ranking the top ten defensive coaches in college football
One of the best defensive coordinators of our generation, new Texas A&M DC John Chavis has produced standout units and NFL draft picks for 20 years.
Chavis spent 14 years as the defensive coordinator at Tennessee. During his time in Knoxville, the Vols won the 1998 national championship, won the SEC in 1997 and 1998 and reached double-digit wins eight times.
After head coach Phil Fulmer was fired at Tennessee Chavis landed at LSU, where four of his six teams ranked in the nation’s top 12 in total defense (2010, 2011, 2012 and 2014). Across 20 seasons as a DC in the SEC, Chavis has produced one of the league’s top four defenses 15 times.
The Tigers were at their best under Chavis in 2011. The unit ranked in the nation’s top five in total defense (261.5 yards per game, second nationally), scoring defense (11.3 points per game, second), pass efficiency defense (95.58, third), and rushing defense (90.1 yards per game, fifth). For his work, Chavis was name the Broyles National Assistant Coach of the Year.
In a rebuilding year last season, Chavis led the LSU defense to the top spot in the SEC in terms of total defense, and ninth nationally, by allowing only 316.8 yards per game. LSU ranked fourth overall in scoring defense with a 17.5 points per game average.
During his tenure at LSU, Chavis had 22 players selected in the NFL Draft, five of them in the first round. He’s also coached seven first team All-Americans at LSU and had eight at Tennessee. That track record of success – both in terms of talent and production – will be put to the test in Chavis’ new job.
Following a messy departure from LSU, “the Chief” turns his attention to Texas A&M where he will be charged with turning around a terrible Aggies defense. Last season, A&M allowed 28.1 points per game, which ranked 77th nationally, and surrendered 450.8 yards on average, which was 102nd – or just behind Texas State, Nevada and UMass.
Next: 3. Pat Narduzzi