ASU Football: Development key in Sun Devils’ defensive turnaround

(Photo: Nicholas Badders/WCSN)

For the last three years, ASU football has been among the worst defenses in the country statistically, rotating through a cast of coordinators and position coaches. Before a 13-7 upset victory over then-No. 5 Washington, the Sun Devils had allowed 30 points or more in 11 straight games.

So what changed?

ASU players credit the turnaround to the coaching they receive in practice. Coaches give credit to the players for buying into a philosophy.

“What you try to do is expedite their knowledge base,” defensive backs coach TJ Rushing said. “You’ve got to get them to be the smartest football player they can be.”

Rushing’s group has taken immense strides in last few weeks. After allowing 294 passing yards per game through its first five games, the Sun Devil secondary surrendered just 139 to Washington and 155 to Utah.

This isn’t the same secondary that was torn apart by Texas Tech. The personnel might be similar, but it’s the development of this inexperienced unit that has led to its newfound success.

Defensive coordinator Phil Bennett always said this was going to be a journey. It appears that journey is turning a corner thanks in large part to Bennett and his position coaches.

“Coaching is developing,” Bennett explained. “It’s taking a player that’s not where he needs to be and putting him in a position that he can be successful.”

Bennett is an intense, demanding, charismatic football coach. Forty years of experience have shaped his coaching style — one that makes him the best friend and worst enemy of the players he develops.

It’s love, but it’s tough love. Cornerback Chase Lucas said he and others affectionately call their coach “Daddy Bennett.” His presence never fails to illicit everything from a smile to an eye roll.

“It’s a weird relationship, but it’s close and he really cares about us immensely,” Lucas said. “He’s going to get on you and he’s going to say things that make you question yourself, but at the end of the day he’ll stop by and tell you, ‘I love you.’”

Building relationships with players is one of the foundations of successful development. It allows coaches to preach their philosophy and have players actually listen. That’s especially true when it comes to practice habits, according to Bennett.

“Working hard in drills, sometimes players don’t see the necessity of that,” Bennett said. “I’ve never met a good coach that didn’t instill and validate and develop players, and make them better.”

Every coach believes in their philosophy, but more often than not it doesn’t lead to tangible results. The results are apparent for the Sun Devils in the last two games. Holding Washington and Utah to 17 total points is “no fluke,” as Todd Graham once put it. His philosophy, in conjunction with his assistants, is working.

The front seven has fully embraced that philosophy, adopting the can-do attitude of its coaches and stepping up despite injuries. After losing its best pass-rusher in Koron Crump, it would’ve been easy for this group to lie down and keep giving up big plays. Instead, guys like Jay Jay Wilson and Renell Wren have thrived in newfound roles.

Wilson is a converted tight end playing the most complicated position in the front seven — Devilbacker — while Wren is tasked with eating up space in the trenches. Both are examples of the steady development that has driven this Sun Devil defense.

“Obviously we’ve had some (injuries),” Graham said after Saturday’s win over Utah. “I think those guys are gaining confidence, we’re adapting and I just can’t say enough about the job our staff and coordinators are doing.”

Graham has delegated play-calling duties to Bennett and Billy Napier, allowing Bennett in particular free reign to direct from the sideline. This backseat approach is paying dividends as the Sun Devils continue adapting and developing at a faster rate than most expected. Nobody thought this team would become one of the most dominant defenses in the conference.

Bennett and the rest of the staff have instilled an unprecedented amount of discipline and confidence in the ASU defense. Saturday’s game against No. 21 USC presents an opportunity to continue a promising trend.

“I want to continue our rise,” Bennett said. “We can get better; we haven’t arrived by any stretch. If we’re going to reach our goals of what we think we can be, we’ve got to take another step.”

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