Georgia’s New Look Defense Looks To Shut Down Foes

Athens, GA, United States (AHN) – Georgia’s defensive coaching staff remained together for nearly nine seasons, something that’s unheard of in college football.

Bulldogs coach Mark Richt changed that,  firing three defensive assistants after the team lost five games last season. Nine weeks later, a new staff is in place to start spring practice this week.

“We’ve got every seat filled up in our staff room,” Richt told the Savannah Morning News. “At one time, there were three empty chairs. That’s a tough time. Even when we’re down to just one chair, you still don’t feel like your whole as a staff or as a unit.”

New defensive coordinator Todd Grantham’s 3-4 defense will be one of the focuses during training.

The former Dallas Cowboys’ defensive line coach and Cleveland Browns’ defensive coordinator brings a decade of experience to Georgia.

Scott Lakatos, who will coach the defensive backs, spent six seasons with Connecticut. Warren Belin will be the inside linebackers coach after spending eight years with Vanderbilt.

A plethora of knowledge will be imparted on the squad, as they build the foundation for 2010.

“It’s just a healthy exchange of ideas,” said Richt, who’s defense forced only two fumbles last season, allowing 25 touchdown strikes-a SEC high.

“We know what happened the last couple of years,” inside linebacker Darryl Gamble said about the defense. “It hasn’t been talked about, but everyone knows what happened.”

Richt is keenly aware of his shoddy defense, knowing it needed to go back to basics.

“I think it’s really critical that you develop your fundamentals in spring practice,” he said. “It’s still a fundamental game. It’s about attacking a blocker, being aggressive, knocking a guy back, getting off a block and finishing a play, and those are things we’re going to emphasize.”

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