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Originally Published: September 4, 2009

Tip Sheet: Shakeup at D-coordinator

High, wide-ranging turnover at defensive coordinator the result of several factors

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By Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com
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Turnover at defensive coordinator has been so wide-ranging for 2009 that half of last year's 12 playoff qualifiers will have new defensive bosses for this season.

And three of those six changes by 2008 playoff clubs were by choice, not attrition.

"That's a lot [of changes] for one year," said Tampa Bay's Jim Bates, who is in his first season with the club, but is with his fifth different team as a defensive coordinator.

It certainly is.

The 20 changes are nearly double the league average (10.3) for the previous 10 seasons, and represents the most switches on the defensive side for at least the past 10 years. It tops the previous high for that period of 15, in 2001 and 2004, by five. By comparison, there were only five defensive coordinator switches for the start of 2008.

INSIDE TIP SHEET
Here's some of what you will find in this week's Tip Sheet notes. Mendenhall to break through? Steelers talking extension with Reed Franchise values take a hit Mixed results for Texans' D-linemen Steep fall for Porter, Hill Falcons shaky at corner Panthers get help at DT Rams' weak 2006 draft

This past offseason for the NFL definitely evolved into a perfect storm when it came to settling on defensive coordinators.

Much of the makeover is attributable to the fact there are nine new head coaches since the end of the 2008 season, and all nine replaced their defensive coordinator. But there were also six defensive coordinator changes made by choice, not necessity, and that's a very high number.

Carolina, Indianapolis and Arizona all made changes after reaching the playoffs, and the Cardinals switched defensive coordinators despite advancing to Super Bowl XLIII. Change certainly wasn't just limited to porous units. Eight of the clubs that ranked among the bottom 10 in total defense changed coordinators, but so did five of the top-10 units.

The changes for three teams (Denver, Green Bay and Kansas City) were precipitated because the clubs are transitioning from a 4-3 scheme to a 3-4 front. One tragic switch was forced by the death of renowned Philadelphia coordinator Jim Johnson, who will be replaced by Sean McDermott.

Just two coordinators, Dick LeBeau of Pittsburgh and Washington's Greg Blache, have worked more than four straight years for their current clubs. Only five other defensive bosses have worked three or more consecutive seasons for their present employers. On the flip side, a dozen franchises are now working on their third different coordinator in just four seasons.

"It's a results-driven business," said Ron Meeks, who resigned from the Colts after seven seasons and was quickly hired by the Panthers. "In my case, I felt like I needed a new challenge … but, yeah, it is an occupation with a pretty short shelf life. There are a lot of people [scrutinizing] what you do."

One of the most closely examined new coordinators for 2009 is New Orleans' Gregg Williams, who is in his 10th season as a coordinator and with his fourth different franchise. Known for his aggressive approach and well-conceived blitzes, Williams is expected to quickly transform the Saints' defense.

Most of the new coordinators are in pressure-cooker situations, but the expectations for Williams, 51, might be loftier than most.

"He might be the most important guy we've brought in," said Saints safety Roman Harper, who figures to have increased blitz opportunities with Williams presiding over the New Orleans defense.

Under head coach Sean Payton, the Saints have been a superb half-team: a club with a Super Bowl-caliber offense but a miserable defense. Over the past three seasons, which coincides with Payton's head-coaching tenure, New Orleans has ranked first (2006), fourth (2007) and first (2008) in the league in total offense. But the club's defense has rated, respectively, 11th, 26th and 23rd during that stretch.

The inference is clear for the Saints, who have finished no higher than third in the NFC South in the Payton era.

"[Williams] was brought here to do a good job … and do it quickly," said New Orleans middle linebacker Jonathan Vilma.

Nineteen other defensive coordinators pretty much have similar missions.

Note: Chart does not include the Dallas Cowboys, who do not have a nominal coordinator. Head coach Wade Phillips replaced then-coordinator Brian Stewart in 2008 as the defensive playcaller.

Len Pasquarelli, a recipient of the Pro Football Hall of Fame's McCann Award for distinguished reporting, is a senior writer for ESPN.com.