The Balls: Burton’s new contract helps program revamp the defense
Tuesday, Apr. 8, 2008 @ 1:01 am
The Nevada athletic department made a huge statement this week in Carson City during the Board of Regents meeting.
When it gave newly acquired football defensive coordinator Nigel Burton $130,000 for two years plus benefits and compensation for postseason, Nevada athletics stood for a change in the program.
A change that was much needed.
After last season’s defensive breakdown with some great talent on the sideline, Burton gained the trust of the coaching staff and the University of Nevada, Reno hoping the big pay day will bolster the team’s defense to superiority in the Western Athletic Conference.
They went out and got one of the best recruiters in the west coast in Burton, who coached five years as a defensive back’s coach at Oregon State, and a young, exuberant personality to instill confidence in a team that was sure to be lacking after last season.
Do we need to go over last year’s stats? For the purpose of contract justification, we will.
- Total defense: 79th in nation, 415 yards allowed per game
- Rushing defense: 78th in nation, 174 yards allowed per game
- Pass defense: 76th in nation, 241 yards allowed per game
- Scoring defense: 95th in nation, 32 points allowed per game
- Pass efficiency defense: 86th in nation, quarterbacks had a 135.5 rating
- Sacks per game: tied for 64th in nation, two per game
The department needed a new presence and Burton has a lot of hype that will make Wolf Pack fans excited next season.
With his hiring in mid-January, Burton helped out in the recruiting of three defensive back and a defensive tackle, according to Rivals.com.
This already gives him a head start in rebuilding for next year. Some coaches get hired after the national letter of intent day and don’t get any recruits for their first season.
Since two of his recruits are transfers, they can work right away with the staff and contend for starting spots.
While fans will likely expect a sudden turn around, he is still a first-year coach at a new program in a new conference.
It’s only fair to give Burton a little slack. I mean he has to saddle up a defense to battle Texas Tech and Missouri in the non-conference schedule, which is an arduous task for any new coordinator.
But it’s not like he hasn’t seen offense like that before. Oregon State took on USC every year, which is a perennial power. At least he knows what to expect.
The two-year deal is a good start for the Wolf Pack football team. Nevada hasn’t had this much hype in the coaching staff since head coach Chris Ault came back for his third stint.
I’m impressed they went out and got someone and didn’t hire within. Good programs do that.
We’ll see if the statement can pay off.
Scott Oxarart is the sports editor of The Nevada Sagebrush. He can be reached at soxarart@nevadasagebrush.com
Photo is a File Photo/Nevada Sagebrush
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