Why has Jon Heacock been so much more successful than Wally Burnham?

[UnCytely]

Wally Burnham was VERY highly regarded when he came here, yet his defenses were never as good as this year's defense, in Jon Heacock's second year. Why was Wally never quite able to put together really good defensive teams here? Especially since his head coach was a former defensive coordinator himself.

 

[IcSyU]

Ray Lima.

 

[jkclone]

His defense was good. Wasn’t good the last few years but that was a recruiting issue.

 

[CyArob]

Good D Line

 

[packattack425]

Is helps our offense it better.

 

[LindenCy]

Different head coach for starters. It all trickles down.

 

[tim_redd]

They're both bend but don't break types. Early on Wally had some great LB talent to make up for an average DL. As the years went on he just didn't have the talent at LB and DL.

 

[CycloneErik]

D-Line, and CPR's defensive acumen has always been highly, highly overrated.

 

[FredCyclone]

Recruiting

 

[ianoconnor]

The Process

 

[madguy30]

CMC's team so far is more fundamentally sound than what I remember with Burnham although the missed tackles that last 2.5 games has been concerning.

Having the spy with speed like Lanning has helped.

 

[RedDog]

Jon Heacock ha... it's Jeff Heacock.

 

[ArgentCy]

Much better D-line and a lot more CB's. It helps to not have to play the whole game too.

 

[benjay]

One more thing - Joel Lanning at MLB. Need a smart player to make that work.

 

[TykeClone]

Jon Heacock ha... it's Jeff Heacock.

You sure it's not Steve heacock?

 

[khardbored]

All things considered, a FG aint too bad.

 

[CascadeClone]

Ray Lima.

And the rest of the DL. As stated above, Wally never had anything better than an OK d-line. When he had stud LBs to cover it up, he did well. Especially considering how bad the offense was most years.

Remember, there were more than a couple games where Wally conjured up a huge defensive performance and we were calling him the Wizard.

 

[bosco]

Defenses best friend is the offense. We have an offense that can actually move the ball instead of going 3 and out every series.

 

[chuckd4735]

I think ISUs 2011 and 2012 defenses were pretty good, however, the offense kept them on the field so much they tired as the game went on. That's the main difference this year, IMO, is the offense stays on the field longer.

 

[tolfbfan]

OH-IO