RedHawk Chatter: Carl

Just three days shy of the annual Red & White game, Miami defensive coordinator Carl "Bull" Reese stopped by RedHawk Chatter to talk about his philosophies, installing the defense and some of the players to watch in 2009.

MURedHawks.com: Welcome to today's live chat with Carl Reese. Feel free to pass you questions along as we go and we will start here shortly.

Mike (chicago): Carl, how is recruiting coming along for the class of 2010? In the past few years we have had some early verbals, do you expect the same this year? What areas on the defensive side are your focusing on with new prospects?

Carl "Bull" Reese: Recruiting is going well. We're a little behind, but catching up at a rapid pace. We have had several offers--12 or so--no committments at this time, but are getting close. Our primary concern is speed, so we're recruiting corners who can play man coverage. That's where it starts. We want our other positions to have speed as well.

Tank (Piqua): You have coached so many great players over the years at Texas, LSU and elsewhere ... who would you list as your most complete defensive player?

Carl "Bull" Reese: I could really answer that by saying that there have been surprises. Bostic has shown athletic ability. Wedge at Mike linebacker. And probably, the defensive leader because of his work ethic would be Gafford. Johns in the defensive line, Channels and Brown at tackle. And everyday we find new surprises.

Phil (Cincy): Hi Coach! What do you think are the biggest strengths and weaknesses of the defense as things stand right now?

Carl "Bull" Reese: Our strength, by just numbers, would be in our defensive front. We have more speed and quickness at linebacker than I anticipated. And our search everyday is for more speed in our secondary.

greg hamiton: i have been to every practice. The defense looks better than last season. What kind of base defense are you going to go with?

Carl "Bull" Reese: We are a matching defense. By matching, we try to match the personnel that the offense puts on the field by skill level. If they have two backs and two receivers, our base defense is a 4-3. If they have three wides and one back, then we'll put in a third corner, four linebackers, for a 4-2 defense. If there are four wideouts and one back, then basically we'll have four corners, trying to match their skill.

Bruce (St. Louis): How many DL do you envision in our rotation, and how would that break out, DT and DE?

Carl "Bull" Reese: We'll try to rotate four defensive tackles and at end, right now we'll rotate three, though we'd like to have four. I think we have opportunity for our incoming freshmen to provide depth up front.

Brandon ( Darrtown): Coach, welcome to Miami. Can we expect to see more pressure defense this year and different formations on d?

Carl: Yes. Our philosophy against passing situations, first choice is to pressure the QB. We will bring five rushers, and if five don't get there, we'll bring six. And if six don't work, we'll bring seven and try to bring four off one side.

Chuck (Minneapolis, MN): Coach-- The defense on Miami's record-setting 2003 team had a certain swagger to it, like they just knew they were going to race into the backfield and blow up every single play. During the past few years, though, it often seems like the defense has been playing on its heels and lacks the confidence it once had. How have you worked on regaining that edge or "killer instinct"?

Carl: It comes in our philisophy in trying to force the offense into a mistake by pressuring the pass and the run. We haven't spent any time in coaching defenses that would sit back and react. We're trying to force the issue and make them react to us.

Adam (Cincinnati): Is the spring more for the offense than the D since you can't hit the quarterback?

Carl: We don't want to hurt our friends, but the only way you can have fun is to be aggressive and get around the QB, but don't touch him!!

Perry, Blue Ash: What position did you play at Missouri?

Carl: I was an offensive fullback. And back in those days, you learned two positions because it wasn't free substitution. So I played fullback and inside linebacker.

Fred: What is the most important attribute you look for in a defensive player?

Carl: Speed. The adage that speed kills on a football field is accurate.

Billy (Oxford): Can this team get back into the Top of the MAC with such a tough schedule?

Carl: As a coach, we go into every game with a gameplan that we can win with. Because of that, I'm optimistic and really, we should try to win every game we can which would put us into a good situation.

Will (Oxford): I heard practice was changed so the team could watch the National Title game for hockey? Can the success of the hockey team help the football team?

Carl: Any success at Miami at any sport helps our reputation in recruiting and acquiring the talent we need in football. We did practice early , but our players watched the game.

Allie (Xenia): My eighth-grade son loves football and wants to be a linebacker. What are the skills you look for in a player at that position?

Carl: Speed and quickness, and a good tough aggressive mentality.

Billy, West Chester: When you make in-game adjustments, do you involve the whole defensive staff or is that strictly your decision?

Carl: As the game goes on, we're constantly talking about what we're having to adjust to. I call all the defenses, and the information leads me in different stratigies to match what they're doing. It's a shared conversation, but I make the final decisions.

Bruce (St. Louis): Are there any DL that have been standing out in spring practice? Similar question with the LB as we have a few to replace.

Carl: The d-linemen would be Johns, Channels and Brown at tackle. So they've had good springs. At LB, Wedge would be the No. 1 guy that came out of nowhere. Bostic for his desire to play, and Gilmore for spinning a strong safety down into a linebacker position that adds speed and quickness to that position.

MURedHawks.com: How about two more questions ...

Greg (Oxford): Can this D create turnovers?

Carl: We had better. That's what speed and agressiveness does. That's the biggest play in football.

Phillip (Zanesville): In your past experience, is it easier for an offensive or a defensive true freshman to contribute in his first season? What are the factors?

Carl: I think it's equal, because the key factor is speed, God-given talents. So if a young man has that, then he can be a running back or receiver, or he could be a corner, safety or linebacker. We hope that comes true when we our freshman class arrives on campus.

MURedHawks.com: Thanks for all of your questions. We'll have tennis coach Howard Joffe on RedHawk Chatter next week as Miami goes to the MAC championships. Thanks again.

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