How UM defensive coordinator Hetherman is using early days of spring to learn roster
Corey Hetherman isn’t concerned about setting a depth chart yet. He’s not establishing a pecking order for his players.
After all, it’s just two days into spring practices for the Miami Hurricanes’ new defensive coordinator.
Hetherman’s priority during the initial phases of spring ball is to get a better gauge of the roster he is working with overall and begin the process of figuring out where players might be best used to maximize Miami’s potential.
And with that comes some early experimentation.
“Everyone’s going to move around to play different spots,” Hetherman said after practice Wednesday, “because I want to see how fast we can be and how fast we can tackle from the point of attack. And then for our guys to figure out what situation is best for them. How do we put them in the best spot to make plays? When you watch practice, what we’re doing right now, it’s like positionless defense. Everyone’s going to be put in different spots. We’re teaching them fundamental techniques right now, and then we’ll find out where everyone fits as we get closer to the season.”
While it’s still too early for Hetherman to give a full assessment of the defense he’s working with — again, the Hurricanes have had two practices so far and aren’t in pads yet — but he is setting a standard early.
A reset is needed, considering how the team played last season. The Hurricanes ranked 68th nationally in scoring defense last season, allowing 25.3 points per game — a number that ballooned to 30.8 points per game in conference play.
Hetherman harps on bringing a disruptive and aggressive scheme to the defense, one that prioritizes relentless pressure up front that leads to turnovers. That was on display last year when he was defensive coordinator at Minnesota. The Golden Gophers ranked in the top 10 nationally in total defense (285.7 yards per game, fifth), passing defense (176.1 yards per game, tied for ninth) and scoring defense (16.9 points per game, ninth). Minnesota also held opponents to just a 41.2-percent success rate on fourth down — 15th best in the nation — and gave up fewer than 20 points in eight of 13 games.
“He brings the energy every day,” senior linebacker Wesley Bissainthe said.
Added defensive lineman Akheem Mesidor: “He knows a lot. He’s a technician. ... I love him. I love his defense, and I’m excited to see what he got for us.”
Since being hired in mid-January, Hetherman has spent the past month and a half trying to build relationships with his players and the coaching staff so that they could hit the ground running when practices officially began Monday.
The defense has a lot of turnover, especially in the secondary, but to Hetherman, everyone is starting on a level playing field.
“Everyone’s new,” Hetherman said. “Even if you’ve been here two years or you’ve been here three years, it’s a different defense. It’s a different style for everyone. Just getting to know one another, getting to know the rooms, getting everyone to connect. That’s what it’s all about — getting those DBs to play with the linebacker, linebackers to communicate with the D-line. Everyone’s going to fit in at every single level, and their communication has been great. ... We’re going to continue to push to make sure the standard is the standard.”
Mesidor moving back outside
After spending most of last season playing on the interior of the defensive line, Mesidor will spend his sixth and final college football season primarily playing on the edge.
He embraces the chance to play on the outside again.
“I love it,” Mesidor said. “I’m naturally a defensive end. I do like playing three technique as well on passing downs, but I’m happy to be back outside, and I’m excited to see what coach has got for us.”
Mesidor started 13 games for Miami last season, recording 32 tackles, nine tackles for loss and five-and-a-half sacks.
Bissainthe embracing leadership
Bissainthe will be working at both middle linebacker and weak-side linebacker this spring.
Just as important, he will be the veteran presence for the linebacker room this season after Francisco Mauigoa held that role for the past two seasons.
“I feel like I was vocal last year,” Bissainthe said, “but just this year, just stepping stepping up even more for the young guys because I know at the end of day, they’re watching me. Whatever I do, they’re gonna try to mimic it.”
During his first three years at Miami, Bissainthe has logged 133 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, four sacks and an interception.
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