| 10 July 2011
A Kansas City media outlet is calling Mike Vrabel the Buckeyes new defensive coordinator. We know that is wrong. Here we know it is for linebacker coach. Is it that we know that or are we just assuming that.
Maybe it is that the Kansas City news outlet does not have the facts. I think that is the likely scenario. The sports writers there know nothing of our team. Then again maybe they are hearing it from the other end of the spectrum. One not tainted by the state of affairs here. We know Jim Heacock is the defensive coordinator. I doubt any writer working in Missouri, which is not even a Big ten state let alone Kansas City being a Big Ten city, knows anything about who Jim Heacock is. There is definitely the possibility that they are the ones who have it right. Even todays story on the hire in the Dispatch does not mention linebacker coach. The term used is "assistant." We know Heacock wants to retire. He has wanted to for years. Maybe
Vrabel is going to be named DC, ....but for 2012, should Fickell be retained of course. It makes better sense that Vrabel would be interested in leaving his pro career early for a defensive coordinator job. It would jump start his coaching career, something he has stated he wants to do when his playing career is over. Just one year as a DC would look alot better on the resume than a year as a position coach. There are plenty of position coaches out there every year. With his pro career Vrabel would have a leg up on many position coaches looking to move up but there is no question a year calling a successful defense puts him on the fast track even should Fickell not get the nod here.
What would a defense under Fickell and Vrabel look like? It has been my belief that with Fickell in charge we would see the defense be even more aggressive. He was given more say in the game plan after the USC drubbing where the defense was on its heels, defending way too much. What will happen when Jim Heacock is not there to temper the Silver Bullet that lurks deep in Luke Fickells heart? I think with Mike Vrabel there to encourage an even more aggressive scheme that the 2012 defense could make the 2011 defense look like Earle Bruces shrink the field scheme. I could not be happier about that. I think the way the game is played today that making plays is where championships are won. You will give up some plays. Making more than you give up is the difference. Turn these elite athletes loose. They will make it happen. They will put so much pressure on the offense that the turnover factor will ramp up. I think we see more short fields for the offense as the tackles for loss and sacks go up.
It looks like the announcement, which is set for Monday, is a mere formality. I hope there is a car waiting for Vrabel right outside the press conference to wing him away on a whirlwind recruiting that includes stops at Akron Hoban to introduce himself to Greg McMullen, Cincinnati Taft to have a sit down with Adolphus Washington, who recently has made several statements that make you believe he and his father are not on the same page about Ohio State, and on the way back home from Cincinnati he can stop by Centerville to inform Ifeadi Odenigbo that nobody can teach him how to play on the edge better better than he can.
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