New Mexico’s Defensive Coordinator Jordan Peterson Brings Passion, Energy
Get to know the new Lobos DC
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Maybe energy is what the New Mexico defense needs.
Jordan Peterson takes the helm as the new defensive coordinator for the New Mexico Lobos after head coach Bob Davie made the decision the change things up after last years 3-8 season.
After promoting Petersen, Davie commented on his new, young defensive coordinator with praise.
“Jordan gives us our best option to become better on defense,” Davie said. “I feel like he’s a rising star in this profession. His energy, his knowledge, his relationship with players, I feel like he’s really a bright, young coach.”
Coach Davie has a history of good instincts with hiring young bright young coaches if you look at his coaching tree. Many of these coaches went on to be head coaches.
Some of his most notable hires at Notre Dame; Urban Meyer, Charlie Strong, Mike Sanford, Dan Mullen, and Steve Addazio.
With the upcoming football season just right around the corner, there is a very enthusiastic and energetic coach at Lobo spring practice, that would be Jordan Peterson.
Who is Peterson?
He is 31 years of age and has a young appearance. But don’t let his young looks fool you, as he has a great resume for college football and carries himself very well.
It was a beautiful sunny day in Albuquerque at Dreamstyle Stadium at the Lobos fifth Spring practice was underway.
You could feel the energy and excitement as Lobo players on both sides of the ball are all giving their best effort trying to prove to their coaches that they belong at the top of the depth chart in the fall.
After practice, it good to get to speak to UNM’s defensive coordinator and get his thoughts on his new position and the defensive as well.
When asked by a local reporter on being UNM’s new defensive coordinator, Peterson liked who the change has gone to take over the top defensive position.
“It’s been a much easier transition as I have been on staff and know the guys as well and, its also great honor,” Peterson said. “I want to bring more energy and get this thing rolling”
“The transition has been much easier as coach Davie and I have a prior relationship and his defensive background as well. We are gelling our ideas together and that has been fun.”
UP NEXT: Q&A With Coach Peterson
What is your philosophy and what are you trying to instill?
“Number one is aggressiveness, that’s the mentality, the aggressive nature of playing defense. Flying to the ball. Play fast, play hard and play aggressive!
“From a schematic standpoint, bring more multiple looks to bring pressure, different coverages. Bottom line for us is to make the offense earn everything they get.”
When asked what the Lobo base defense will be this year?
“Base personnel will be 3-3-5 look but we are going to be very multiple in everything we do, we are not going to stay in one package.
“But the basis of this defense is aggressiveness and be multiple in our looks, multiple in coverages in the secondary and up front.
“We have to be very active in our alignments in everything, make the quarterback earn everything. In this day and age with spread offenses, if we just sit in one spot and they know where we are at, you don’t have a chance.”
“Make that quarterback have to make a split second hesitation to make a decision gives the defense time to get after it, get in his face and give more time to react in the secondary.”
“We are making progress with these young guys but obviously its only day. We have to find the pieces of those guys who are playmakers.”
“I see this defense as being multiple and aggressive. The great thing about spring is we can see what guys can retain if they can retain we can go forward and feed them more.”
What are your thought on junior college players?
“We have new guys from Junior College who are just figuring out this defense our my expectation of them.
“Nobody has earned a starting spot and we are just figuring out all pieces out at this point, so we will figure that out as spring ball continues and coming into fall camp.
“The scheme changes are allowing our guys to play faster, use their aggressive nature that they have to make plays. That’s why we recruited these guys! I think that part is playing into it! “
UNM ranked 119th among 128 Football Bowl Subdivision teams in total defense in 2018 and was 104th in passing yards allowed.
So it would seem that the Lobo football has nowhere to go but up from last year.
It will interesting to see how the Lobos fair on defense with their upcoming schedule.
But Jordan Peterson is very excited to be the Lobos new defensive coordinator and make this defense something Lobo fans can be proud of.
