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DEFENSIVE ALTERATIONS
The SEC has eight new defensive coordinators for the 2015 season: SCHOOL COORDINATOR COMMENT Auburn Will Muschamp Muschamp is Auburn’s fourth DC in past five seasons Florida Geoff Collins Collins spent the past four seasons at Mississippi State LSU Kevin Steele Served last season as Alabama’s inside linebackers coach Mississippi State Manny Diaz Was State’s DC in 2010 before leaving for Texas Missouri Barry Odom Worked as safeties coach of the Tigers from 2009-11 South Carolina Jon Hoke Spurrier’s last DC at Florida, replacing Bob Stoops Texas A&M John Chavis Spent 14 years as Tennessee’s DC and six with LSU Vanderbilt Derek Mason Was DC for Stanford’s Pac-12 champions of 2012-13
It’s easier to name the Southeastern Conference football teams with the same defensive coordinator as last season.
Alabama’s Kirby Smart, Georgia’s Jeremy Pruitt and Tennessee’s John Jancek comprise half of the league’s defensive coordinators who retained their jobs from a year ago, with eight of the 14 members having undergone changes. Will Muschamp is in his second go-around as Auburn’s defensive coordinator, as is Manny Diaz at Mississippi State, while Vanderbilt head coach Derek Mason has added defensive coordinator responsibilities in his second season with the Commodores.
“I’m excited to take on the duty,” Mason said. “The way I look at it, there are several offensive head coaches across the country calling plays, and I believe there is an opportunity for a defensive coach to do it as well. This is that opportunity, and I spend time with my staff making sure that my day is structured to where I can split it.