Co-Defensive Coordinator Matt Guerrieri Preaches Fundamentals and Objectives in his Evaluation of the Defense

Written by Ethan Roberts

With only sixteen days to go before their season opener against the Ohio State Buckeyes, Co-Defensive coordinator Matt Guerrieri took to the podium and discussed a few different topics including how he views week-to-week game plans.

“It starts with the system,” Guerrieri said. Coach Allen has a system. There’s fundamentals of how we play defense, of how we stop the run, pressure the quarterback and stop the throw game. So, you start with a system. The tweaks to me, are week-to-week in the game plan are twofold. What does the opponent do best and how do you limit that? What do we do best? So that’s part of the process of learning the players, new faces and new bodies that are here to transfer and figure out what do those guys do best and how do we highlight that? But, definitely what does the opponent do? This is a pro style system. How do those function? How do you live from there? We have a system in place with Coach Allen that has been here a long time.”

One player that has bought into the system is West Virginia transfer edge rusher Lanell Carr.

“He’s done a great job at camp,” Guerrieri said. “He’s high energy. You can feel him on the practice field. He brings physicality and pash rush ability which is unique to have that combination. He’s done a really good job on the edge for us, so we’re really excited about what he’s proven in camp and expect him to continue to do so.”

Guerrieri also believes in leaving his emotions out of sight when evaluating defensive performance.

“It’s been great,” Guerrieri said. “I’ve enjoyed coming in and learning here and being able to apply that and teach the players. To me, no matter when it’s been in my career, you take the emotion out of it and you’re objective. It doesn’t matter if you’re in my past at Duke or other places. What do the numbers show? Was it successful or was it not successful? Whether it’s a normal amount of distance, a red zone opportunity, a backup situation, a two-minute drill. Then you say what worked and what didn’t, and why? So, to me, that’s the objective side of things. It’s black and white. There’s no gray between: Was it a lack of understanding to fail? Was it a poor call in that situation or are we asking a player to do something he can’t do? Those are all things that we try to eliminate before it gets real in there.”

So, what do the numbers say for the new co-defensive coordinator? In His four years as Duke co-defensive coordinator (2018-2021), the Blue Devils allowed 33.6 points per game with recruiting that typically sits around 60th in the country. For reference, The Hoosiers allowed 33.9 points per game with similar recruiting capabilities.

With Coach Allen surrendering play calling, the question remains if giving Guerrieri more coaching responsibilities will bolster the chances for the Hoosiers. The answers will begin to unravel as the season begins in two weeks in Bloomington.