Nix's Return A Step In The Right Direction
posted by Scott Hood on Thursday, December 06, 2007
As much as he wanted that position, his return to South Carolina for next season – yes, I believe he’ll be back rather than pursuing head coaching opportunities elsewhere – will be a good thing for the USC defense.
I know there’s a vocal group of USC fans wishing Spurrier would fire Nix and hire a new coordinator.
I’m not one of those people.
Why? Easy. Nix doesn’t deserve to be fired.
As Spurrier noted on several occasions during the first half of the schedule when USC was winning games and everyone in Gamecock Nation was feeling good, the defense was mostly responsible for USC’s success.
Then the losing streak came, and everybody’s mood changed.
If you thoroughly, and objectively, examine the final five games of the season, the defense played well enough to win in three of them – Vanderbilt, Tennessee and Clemson.
Yes, I’ll concede the issue that the defense was monstrously horrible in the Arkansas game and just a little less awful in the Florida game.
All you have to do is look at the numbers to realize that. Yes, 542 rushing yards is unacceptable.
The other 10 games? USC’s defense held up its end of the bargain.
Consider the Vanderbilt game, for example. As you recall, the Commodores jumped out to a 17-0 lead in the first quarter. But ill-timed USC turnovers were largely to blame for that.
Two of Vanderbilt’s three scoring drives in the first quarter started from the USC 24, while the third started from the USC 43. The defense was placed into bad spots by a sputtering and turnover-prone offense.
Vanderbilt had just 269 yards of total offense, 169 in the final three quarters. That’s pretty good defense, folks. The defense’s only sin in that game was they didn’t play lights out like the Vanderbilt defense. Bu it was a good performance nonetheless.
The following week, the defense held their own against Tennessee. Yeah, the Vols scored 21 first-half points, but it was nearly a mirror-image of the Vanderbilt game.
Tennessee’s first two scoring drives traveled two and 44 yards, respectively. The Vols took over in USC territory as a result, again, of critical turnovers.
The defense held Tennessee to 112 yards and two first downs in the second half. That’s impressive.
The USC defense held Clemson to 13 points (the Tigers scored one TD on a blocked punt) in the first 59:59 of the rivalry game on Nov. 24. But the last-second field goal ruined what would have been remembered as a great effort by a Gamecock defense absent four starters.
Unfortunately, the lasting image for most USC fans of the 2007 season will be Darren McFadden racing around right end and sprinting 80 yards untouched for a touchdown late in the 48-36 loss to Arkansas on Nov. 3.
If not, then possibly Tim Tebow rushing for five touchdowns.
Both players will be in New York this weekend for the Heisman Trophy consideration. I would say USC just got beat by better players.
USC surrendered 209.2 rushing yards per game, last in the SEC. Take out the Arkansas and Florida games and the average plummets to 173.7 ypg. That’s more in line with the other SEC teams. Not great, but not obnoxiously repulsive either.
Here’s why I think Nix should return: he deserves the opportunity to coach in 2008 when USC should have a very good defense. In fact, it might be a championship-caliber defense.
The key, of course, is MLB Jasper Brinkley. If he returns, USC might be downright scary. DT Nathan Pepper, injured in the third game last season, should help solidify an improved defense line.
Don't forget about the possible return of the Lindsey twins, as well. Their energy, enthusiasm and aggressiveness was sorely missed at times this season, especially late in the season when the defense badly needed a pick-me-up. Both Lindseys have motors that don't stop. I think you'll notice a difference when they're on the field next season.
Brinkley foregoes the NFL Draft and returns to the Gamecocks, the decision will in large part arise out of his solid relationship he’s built with Nix over the last two years. I question if Brinkley will take a chance on a new coordinator if Nix left.
USC’s top four tacklers in 2007 were sophomores – Emanuel Cook (92), Eric Norwood (69), Darian Stewart (68) and Rodney Paulk (64). Seven of the top nine tacklers return. Everyone but Chris Hampton and the oft-injured Brandon Isaac will be back from a secondary that led the SEC in pass defense.
Right now, if the offense and defense perform to their capabilities, USC has the potential to be a very good team in 2008.
The best part - Tyrone Nix should in all likelihood be a part of it.
I’m pleased about that.
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So, Tyrone Nix has voluntarily dropped out of the running for the head coaching job at Southern Miss, his alma mater.
As much as he wanted that position, his return to South Carolina for next season – yes, I believe he’ll be back rather than pursuing head coaching opportunities elsewhere – will be a good thing for the USC defense.
I know there’s a vocal group of USC fans wishing Spurrier would fire Nix and hire a new coordinator.
I’m not one of those people.
Why? Easy. Nix doesn’t deserve to be fired.
As Spurrier noted on several occasions during the first half of the schedule when USC was winning games and everyone in Gamecock Nation was feeling good, the defense was mostly responsible for USC’s success.
Then the losing streak came, and everybody’s mood changed.
If you thoroughly, and objectively, examine the final five games of the season, the defense played well enough to win in three of them – Vanderbilt, Tennessee and Clemson.
Yes, I’ll concede the issue that the defense was monstrously horrible in the Arkansas game and just a little less awful in the Florida game.
All you have to do is look at the numbers to realize that. Yes, 542 rushing yards is unacceptable.
The other 10 games? USC’s defense held up its end of the bargain.
Consider the Vanderbilt game, for example. As you recall, the Commodores jumped out to a 17-0 lead in the first quarter. But ill-timed USC turnovers were largely to blame for that.
Two of Vanderbilt’s three scoring drives in the first quarter started from the USC 24, while the third started from the USC 43. The defense was placed into bad spots by a sputtering and turnover-prone offense.
Vanderbilt had just 269 yards of total offense, 169 in the final three quarters. That’s pretty good defense, folks. The defense’s only sin in that game was they didn’t play lights out like the Vanderbilt defense. Bu it was a good performance nonetheless.
The following week, the defense held their own against Tennessee. Yeah, the Vols scored 21 first-half points, but it was nearly a mirror-image of the Vanderbilt game.
Tennessee’s first two scoring drives traveled two and 44 yards, respectively. The Vols took over in USC territory as a result, again, of critical turnovers.
The defense held Tennessee to 112 yards and two first downs in the second half. That’s impressive.
The USC defense held Clemson to 13 points (the Tigers scored one TD on a blocked punt) in the first 59:59 of the rivalry game on Nov. 24. But the last-second field goal ruined what would have been remembered as a great effort by a Gamecock defense absent four starters.
Unfortunately, the lasting image for most USC fans of the 2007 season will be Darren McFadden racing around right end and sprinting 80 yards untouched for a touchdown late in the 48-36 loss to Arkansas on Nov. 3.
If not, then possibly Tim Tebow rushing for five touchdowns.
Both players will be in New York this weekend for the Heisman Trophy consideration. I would say USC just got beat by better players.
USC surrendered 209.2 rushing yards per game, last in the SEC. Take out the Arkansas and Florida games and the average plummets to 173.7 ypg. That’s more in line with the other SEC teams. Not great, but not obnoxiously repulsive either.
Here’s why I think Nix should return: he deserves the opportunity to coach in 2008 when USC should have a very good defense. In fact, it might be a championship-caliber defense.
The key, of course, is MLB Jasper Brinkley. If he returns, USC might be downright scary. DT Nathan Pepper, injured in the third game last season, should help solidify an improved defense line.
Don't forget about the possible return of the Lindsey twins, as well. Their energy, enthusiasm and aggressiveness was sorely missed at times this season, especially late in the season when the defense badly needed a pick-me-up. Both Lindseys have motors that don't stop. I think you'll notice a difference when they're on the field next season.
Brinkley foregoes the NFL Draft and returns to the Gamecocks, the decision will in large part arise out of his solid relationship he’s built with Nix over the last two years. I question if Brinkley will take a chance on a new coordinator if Nix left.
USC’s top four tacklers in 2007 were sophomores – Emanuel Cook (92), Eric Norwood (69), Darian Stewart (68) and Rodney Paulk (64). Seven of the top nine tacklers return. Everyone but Chris Hampton and the oft-injured Brandon Isaac will be back from a secondary that led the SEC in pass defense.
Right now, if the offense and defense perform to their capabilities, USC has the potential to be a very good team in 2008.
The best part - Tyrone Nix should in all likelihood be a part of it.
I’m pleased about that.
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Scott Hood. Since February of 2005, Scott has covered the South Carolina football, men's basketball and baseball programs for GamecockCentral. He may be reached by email at scottblog(at)gamecockcentral.com. Replace (at) with @.