Diaco: creating a great defense is a “years long” process

By Tommy Rezac

Nebraska defensive coordinator Bob Diaco talked a bit longer than usual after Tuesday’s practice at the Hawks Championship Center.

“Part of my problem is I talk and my answers are too long, right?” Diaco said, “I can’t even complain about you guys cropping an answer, because they’re too long. I already know that. I’m not good at it.”

Diaco did make clear that there are three things he doesn’t like to do or want to do:

1. Not talk disparaging about his players
2. Not talk about “family business” or internal affairs
3. Be honest

“When (the season) is not going well, to do all three of those things becomes very hard,” Diaco said, “and the answer can become a little nonsensical as you try to make sure you protect your beautiful players and you protect the integrity of the family business, because airing out your family laundry doesn’t help anyone do anything.”

And he wasn’t even halfway done.

Tackling was by far the lengthiest topic. Following the 2015 season, Nebraska’s defense switched to more rugby-style tackling, which emphasizes using the shoulders and wrapping around the legs to make tackles.

This safer form of tackling has already been picked up by schools like Ohio State, Washington and Michigan State, and is being encouraged in the NFL to prevent head-to-head contact.

Diaco said when he first started working with the Huskers this past spring, “there was a mandated tackling fundamental teaching progression. That they were going to tackle that way mandated from the administration, which didn’t sound like anybody really believed in.”

Diaco said this mandated system led to the tackling “degenerating” among the players.

“When you think about a player showing up here who’s a really great tackler and then becomes a worse tackler, that doesn’t make any sense,” Diaco said.

Mark Banker, Nebraska’s defensive coordinator in 2016 who was let go at the end of last season, told sources Tuesday night that the switch to rugby-style tackling was not mandated by the administration, and had in fact been embraced by the team and led to better results.

The Huskers went from ranking 64th in the country in total defense in 2015 to 30th in 2016, despite allowing 62 points to Ohio State, 40 to Iowa and 38 to Tennessee.

Diaco said Tuesday that the defensive unit was “spectacularly frustrated” on the first day of spring ball during tackling drills.

“They’re willing, they’re talented enough to tackle,” Diaco said. “They’re tough enough to tackle. They’re willing tacklers. They want to do well, but they don’t fundamentally know any more how to tackle. So, we’ve been working hard on just that one thing. It’s been present in every single day of every practice.”

“We’ve worked hard at tackling is my point. You’re going to work at tackling, but this has been an over emphasis. One that I didn’t personally anticipate making at the level we’ve had to make it.”

Diaco said the tackling was “alarming” when he first came to Nebraska, but says it’s now coming along. But how long will it take for his 3-4 system to be fully effective?

“It’s a year long (process), and it’s really years long,” Diaco said. “It’s collecting personnel that intangibly suits the university and the team, perfect in alignment that way, that physically suits the traits and jobs that you’re going to ask (players) to do.”

“We are going to create a great defense here. We are going to create one of the best defenses, and there is no doubt about that. We’re going to continue to add personnel, but the personnel that’s on the defensive unit right now that’s coming back will be just fine to accomplish that.”

Injury Update

So. linebacker Tyrin Furgeson (turf toe) and So. cornerback Eric Lee (concussion protocol) were the only two players on this week’s injury list that weren’t seen at practice Tuesday.

Jr. LB Luke Gifford (hip) has suited each of the past two weeks, but was once again on the exercise bike. Head coach Mike Riley said he’s “doubtful” for this Saturday.

Jr. safeties Antonio Reed (knee) and Aaron Williams (neck), Fr. RB Jaylin Bradley (ankle), Sr. LB Chris Weber (stinger) and RFr. LB Ben Stille (groin) all suited Tuesday, and are hopeful/questionable for Minnesota.

Additional Practice Audio

You can contact Tommy at 402-840-5226, or you can follow him on Twitter @Tommy_KLIN.