Cincinnati's next group of players won't have the same coaching staff. Defensive coordinator Art Kaufman and defensive line coach Fred Tate will not be retained according to pretty much everyone, including Cincinnati.com. Both coaches followed Tommy Tuberville over from Texas Tech.
Cincinnati's defense was rated pretty highly in the raw numbers since they played a bunch of crap teams. In the Football Outsiders advanced ratings, UC's defense ranked 51 and ranked 56. Every time they played an offense with any kind of good skill players, they were exposed. Nathan Scheelhaase threw for a million yards. Teddy Bridgewater led the Louisville offense to over 430 yards and 21 4th quarter and overtime points. UNC didn't have as successful an offensive game, but they racked up nearly 350 yards and pounded the UC defense for long drives.
The only amazing thing the group had was it's run defense. Cincinnati ranked 7th best in the nation at rush defense giving up 423 yards. That is pretty impressive. But if you can name a running back from Purdue, Illinois, Miami, Temple, UConn, Memphis, SMU, or Houston, you are someone who is lying or just googled it.
Cincinnati's defense did seem to let people back in games. It was a decent defense though. I can see why UC would move in another direction. Every time UC gave up over 26 points, they lost. That was every loss. Not all of it was on the defense. But every season that ends in disappointment requires reflection and change. We have change.
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