Oregon Football: Defensive Coordinator Tim DeRuyter Ready To Go To Work
Oregon Football introduced new Defensive Coordinator Tim DeRuyter to the media on Monday. He brings with him 31 years of coaching experience that could make an impact in 2021.
The pandemic limited Oregon Football on the field in 2020. There was no real spring practice, no non-conference games to tune up with, and an effort on the field on both sides of the ball that lacked in key moments of a shortened season.
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Add to that players that opted not to play and some new faces getting thrust into starting roles. Overall, the season ended with a Pac-12 Championship but could have ended without playing in a bowl game.
Defensively, several players stood out. Noah Sewell officially let it be known that he will be around for a while. Kayvon Thibodeaux continued to improve and Deommodore Lenore returned for 2020 and likely helped his NFL Draft stock in the process. The Ducks went on the road and lost to California and a Tim DeRuyter led defense that made it difficult on Quarterback Tyler Shough. Now DeRuyter will look to make it difficult for Oregon opponents.
On Tuesday he was introduced to the media and said he is looking to put the best players on the field, “We’re going to figure out who our best 11 football players are, and we’re going to attempt to put them in a simple system they can execute as fast as they can.” From a scheme standpoint, his plan is not to stray far from what the Oregon Football Defense has become recently. He will have multiple fronts and also have a ‘Star’ position that plays more over the top in key spots.
The potential star player of the Oregon Defense that DeRuyter will build around is Kayvon Thibodeaux who will find a new role and not always be on the defensive line. With his speed, DeRuyter will look to use Thibodeaux as an edge rusher to go after the opposing Quarterback, but he could also sit back in coverage against the pass.
The hope is that things return to normal for Fall Camp in 2021. DeRuyter already has a big priority when it comes to capitalizing on turnovers. Oregon was able to find the ball on Defense in just two games last season.