Building a Defense from Scratch-Fronts and Movements

by Nick Davis

Description

Fronts

Odd 3 Down

Odd 4 Down

Odd 5 Down

Odd 6 Down

Even 4 Down

Even 5 Down

Even 6 Down

Movement

3 Man Rush

4 Man Rush

5 Man Rush

6 Man Rush

Lessons

1 Defensive Player ID, Gaps, Personnel 8:09 2 How to set the Front 6:19 3 Odd Spacing Fronts 15:48 4 Even Spacing Fronts 14:21 5 Movement Rules 5:54 6 Odd Spacing Movements 18:39 7 Even Spacing Movements 23:38 8 Combo Spacing Movements 35:26

The Coach

Nick Davis

Spread Defense

Nick Davis enters his ninth season on the Rose-Hulman staff and his sixth year as defensive coordinator in 2020. He was promoted to assistant head coach and recruiting coordinator for the 2018 season.

Davis has led one of the nation's top defenses over the last four years. His spread defense has led the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference in total defense (2015) and scoring defense (2016).

His 2017 team featured Associated Press first-team All-American defensive lineman Mike Riley, who led all NCAA football players in sacks during the 2017 regular season. Riley was also named Defensive Most Valuable Player as part of a unit that included three all-region honorees (Riley, Kaelen Garner, Alec Thompson).

The 2018 and 2019 squad combined for eight first-team all-conference performers, including three in the most recent 2019 campaign.

Seven defensive players earned all-conference accolades in 2016, led by first-team selections Tyler Brutofsky, Kevin Nowak, Alec Thompson and Kaelen Garner. Nowak and Thompson were also chosen all-North Region by d3football.com. Most importantly, the Fightin' Engineers qualified for the NCAA Division III Playoffs for the first time in program history in 2016.

Prior to his promotion to defensive coordinator, Davis served as special teams coordinator, video coordinator and running backs coach. Before joining the Fightin' Engineers, Davis coached on the defensive side of the ball for two years at Ottawa University (Kan.). He currently serves as defensive coordinator, strength and conditioning coordinator, and linebackers coach for the Fightin' Engineers.

In addition to his on-field work, Davis serves as the team's strength and conditioning coach and holds a USA Weighting certification.

During the early years of his Rose-Hulman era, Davis has coached an all-conference or honorable mention all-league running back each season. The standouts included Kyle Kovach in 2012, Danya Francis in 2013 and Greg Lee in 2014.

The special teams also enjoyed success under his direction in 2013 and 2014. In 2013, seniors Matt Angel and Eric Schaible earning second-team all-conference recognition. Schaible competed in the DIII Senior Classic following a historic career that included career school records for punting attempts and yards. In 2014, junior Craig Larew set a school record with 45 extra points made.

Prior to his stint at Rose-Hulman, Davis spent two years at Ottawa University on the defensive side of the football, coaching defensive backs in 2010 and linebackers in 2011. He helped coach 10 all-conference defensive players and also served as the junior varsity defensive coordinator. His efforts also included coaching three NAIA All-Americans.

Davis previously served as a strength and conditioning football intern at the University of Michigan and Western Illinois University in 2010.

As a player, Davis earned three varsity letters and captured academic all-conference honors at NCAA Division III Monmouth College. He later served as a defensive line assistant at Monmouth.

Davis earned a bachelor's degree in physical education with a minor in communications from Monmouth in 2010. He also completed a master's degree in education curriculum and instruction at Ottawa University.

Davis resides in Terre Haute with his wife Heather and their dogs Scout and Annie.