https://latechsports.com/news/2020/1/22/...nator.aspx

Thoughts?

We only had him for one season. He took over a completely inept defense. I'm pretty sure consensus is he did a very good job. Defense greatly improved his year here. Did the same at ECU. Would have loved to kept him, but we may have gotten an even better one.
Bottom line, you can relax, your defense is in good hands.

Blackwell made a lot of fans here in his one season at ODU. If we had an even mediocre offense, he likely would have saved Bobby's job. Thank goodness we didn't. It was time for a new vision for this program..

He will do good things at LT.

One of the few from the old staff I’d have been ok staying on but new HC new staff. The ECU when we hired him generally had good things to say as well.

I'm a bit jealous and wonder whether UTSA even approached him about a potential position because we're still looking for a DC. Looks like a quality find for you guys and I'm surprised he wasn't already hired by someone.

I did a good job and was generally liked by fans. Held UVa to zero points in the first half, but was the DC on a 1-11 team. The only win was verse a low level FCS team and needed a last minute drive to win. I think he really pushes to slow the game down, had more impact to Offense than he should. He was very close to staying at ODU.

I wonder how much the slowing down of the ODU offense played into the "look" of being a lot better on defense?

ODU still gave up 2.5 points on avg than the teams (FBS) they played scored. Teams also gained more yards than they avg per-play . Just barely, couple 10th.

That was true especially in conference play where only 2 teams were held under their avg in points scored. One of those was Western, which was a totally different offensive team the last 5 games.

Points scored vs ODU Defense difference
Virginia Tech 0.2
(21) Virginia -4
East Carolina -2.8
Western Kentucky -5.4
Marshall 5.2
UAB 14.9
Florida Atlantic 4.6
Florida International -2.5
UTSA 3.7
Middle Tennessee State 8.1
Charlotte 5.6

(01-22-2020 09:36 PM)WKUYG Wrote:  I wonder how much the slowing down of the ODU offense played into the "look" of being a lot better on defense?

ODU still gave up 2.5 points on avg than the teams (FBS) they played scored. Teams also gained more yards than they avg per-play . Just barely, couple 10th.

That was true especially in conference play where only 2 teams were held under their avg in points scored. One of those was Western, which was a totally different offensive team the last 5 games.

Points scored vs ODU Defense difference
Virginia Tech 0.2
(21) Virginia -4
East Carolina -2.8
Western Kentucky -5.4
Marshall 5.2
UAB 14.9
Florida Atlantic 4.6
Florida International -2.5
UTSA 3.7
Middle Tennessee State 8.1
Charlotte 5.6

You can slow an offense down only so much, when you're 129th (I think) in total offense then your defense is going to spend a lot of time on the field. We were in the 120's in total defense the year before, there was definitely improvement and if our O had had a pulse it could have been even better.

(01-23-2020 09:24 AM)mturn017 Wrote:  

(01-22-2020 09:36 PM)WKUYG Wrote:  I wonder how much the slowing down of the ODU offense played into the "look" of being a lot better on defense?

ODU still gave up 2.5 points on avg than the teams (FBS) they played scored. Teams also gained more yards than they avg per-play . Just barely, couple 10th.

That was true especially in conference play where only 2 teams were held under their avg in points scored. One of those was Western, which was a totally different offensive team the last 5 games.

Points scored vs ODU Defense difference
Virginia Tech 0.2
(21) Virginia -4
East Carolina -2.8
Western Kentucky -5.4
Marshall 5.2
UAB 14.9
Florida Atlantic 4.6
Florida International -2.5
UTSA 3.7
Middle Tennessee State 8.1
Charlotte 5.6

You can slow an offense down only so much, when you're 129th (I think) in total offense then your defense is going to spend a lot of time on the field. We were in the 120's in total defense the year before, there was definitely improvement and if our O had had a pulse it could have been even better.

One thing that doesn't get affected by slowing down the pace of the game is the average yards conceded per play. ODU's defense under Blackwell was 47th in the nation in fewest yards conceded per play.

Looks like a good hire. It's nice to hear ODU fans liked him.

I think you got a good one. He's the main guy I wish our new coach had kept (or been able to keep). He's good.

(01-22-2020 07:59 PM)Volkmar Wrote:  I'm a bit jealous and wonder whether UTSA even approached him about a potential position because we're still looking for a DC. Looks like a quality find for you guys and I'm surprised he wasn't already hired by someone.

Skip has lots of contacts in CF and is really good at hiring assistants before they move up - it's both good and bad for us

Blackwell was a good hire by La Tech. Our next game against you will be a challenge for sure.

(01-25-2020 11:58 AM)CameramanJ Wrote:  Blackwell was a good hire by La Tech. Our next game against you will be a challenge for sure.

He'll be long gone before we ever play in the regular season. Maybe we'll meet in the CUSA championship game next year!

(01-25-2020 12:33 PM)deb025 Wrote:  

(01-25-2020 11:58 AM)CameramanJ Wrote:  Blackwell was a good hire by La Tech. Our next game against you will be a challenge for sure.

He'll be long gone before we ever play in the regular season. Maybe we'll meet in the CUSA championship game next year!

True