The Oregon Ducks welcome a new defensive coordinator coming up from the University of California. Tim Deruyter is a 31 year coaching veteran who has a diverse experience with teams like Texas A&M, Air Force, Nevada and Navy. He spoke with The FAN Tuesday and explained what culture he hopes to instill starting in 2021.
“The secret sauce is guys playing hard for each other,” Coach Deruyter told Dusty. He says it’s about “guys understanding each other not just as football players, but as people.” Deruyter also expressed how difficult this can be to achieve during COVID-19 protocols.
Oregon’s defense will bring back many starters including linebacker Noah Sewell. Coach told us his initial impressions of the sophomore boarder on amazement. “Absolute phenome,” he said.
“He came in and right away acted like he was a four-year veteran. I think the guys around him saw that.” Sewell finished the protracted COVID season with 44 tackles. His play making will be in need is the Ducks have hopes of getting to a Rose Bowl, next season.
Coach Deruyter also expressed desire for his players to learn trust as the season becomes more arduous. “Our job as coaches isn’t just to light them (players) up with X’s and O’s,” he said. “It’s putting guys through the crucible of the winter program, the spring program, and having to lean on each other in order to make it through.”
At the end of the day, Coach has one goal in regards to getting a defense ready. “Making a tackle is not the objective, “he said. “Getting the ball back to our offense is our objective… They’ll be trained into how to get these take aways, and then we can put them in positions where their natural ability will help them get those take aways.”
