When asked to describe a Tony White-led defense, Nebraska linebackers coach Rob Dvoracek had a simple answer.
“Chaos,” he said in February.
Nebraska’s defensive coordinator has a different way of describing the way he sets up his unit.
"It's a defense that finds answers," White said in January.
Regardless of the words Nebraska’s coaches use to describe the new 3-3-5 scheme, they can all agree on one thing — it’ll hopefully make life difficult for opponents in the fall.
But before Nebraska’s defensive front can put those expectations to the test, they have to get the foundations committed to memory. In NU’s first practice of the spring on Monday, that was a priority for head coach Matt Rhule to see from his defense.
“Everyone always focuses on the scheme, but to me it’s really about how you do what you do,” Rhule said Monday. “The standards of the way that we practice, strip the ball and move from drill to drill, those are the ones that are important to me.”
One of the few Nebraska assistant coaches who had never worked for Rhule previously, White will have a unique perspective in that regard. That’s why Rhule said that he’ll be adjusting to White as much as his defensive coordinator will be adjusting to him in these first few practices.
There are also plenty of adjustments to be made from a player’s perspective. The entire defense has picked up the terminology quickly, but knowing assignments and different positional alignment may take time.
That’s especially true for players like senior Luke Reimer, who has four years of experience playing under former defensive coordinator Erik Chinander. With a few small changes here and there, Reimer is quickly picking up the concepts of the new defensive setup.
“It’s going to take a little bit of getting used to, especially for us old guys that have played pretty much in the same scheme for four years,” Reimer said. “It’s definitely fun to play in, so it’ll be a good change.”
But, what makes the new 3-3-5 defensive scheme fun to be a part of? For Reimer, it’s the different looks that Nebraska will be able to throw at opponents.
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“Chaos,” he said in February.
Nebraska’s defensive coordinator has a different way of describing the way he sets up his unit.
"It's a defense that finds answers," White said in January.
Regardless of the words Nebraska’s coaches use to describe the new 3-3-5 scheme, they can all agree on one thing — it’ll hopefully make life difficult for opponents in the fall.
But before Nebraska’s defensive front can put those expectations to the test, they have to get the foundations committed to memory. In NU’s first practice of the spring on Monday, that was a priority for head coach Matt Rhule to see from his defense.
“Everyone always focuses on the scheme, but to me it’s really about how you do what you do,” Rhule said Monday. “The standards of the way that we practice, strip the ball and move from drill to drill, those are the ones that are important to me.”
One of the few Nebraska assistant coaches who had never worked for Rhule previously, White will have a unique perspective in that regard. That’s why Rhule said that he’ll be adjusting to White as much as his defensive coordinator will be adjusting to him in these first few practices.
There are also plenty of adjustments to be made from a player’s perspective. The entire defense has picked up the terminology quickly, but knowing assignments and different positional alignment may take time.
That’s especially true for players like senior Luke Reimer, who has four years of experience playing under former defensive coordinator Erik Chinander. With a few small changes here and there, Reimer is quickly picking up the concepts of the new defensive setup.
“It’s going to take a little bit of getting used to, especially for us old guys that have played pretty much in the same scheme for four years,” Reimer said. “It’s definitely fun to play in, so it’ll be a good change.”
But, what makes the new 3-3-5 defensive scheme fun to be a part of? For Reimer, it’s the different looks that Nebraska will be able to throw at opponents.
Nebraska defenders excited for new 3-3-5 scheme: 'It’s more of an attacking defense'
Defensive coordinator Tony White brought an aggressive defensive scheme with him. Installing the defense will take time, but one of NU's leaders is already fired up about the new system.
