University of North Carolina Athletics
A Q&A With Coach Dave Huxtable: Part I
July 29, 2002 | Football
By: Joe Bray
TarHeelBlue: How was your first spring as coordinator of the defense?
Coach Huxtable: "It went well, I enjoyed it.
"It was very busy. We hired Jim Fleming late, only about two weeks before we started practice. We worked day and night getting him caught up on the defense. The late start made it very busy.
"I work with a great group of guys, which makes it fun. There's a good chemistry on the defensive staff with the personalities we have.
"Also, I thought the kids really worked hard this spring. They were eager and anxious, they had a great attitude."
TarHeelBlue: How different is practice as a coordinator as opposed to not being a coordinator?
Coach Huxtable: "Out on the practice field, I coach the linebackers and that keeps my hands full. I don't really get into trying to coach the whole defense. That's what these other guys are hired to do.
"But, in the film room, I'll watch the entire defense, not just the linebackers. I make sure we're coordinated in the run game with our fits, with our support calls, plus make sure we're matching up correctly in the passing game.
"I look at the overall defense on film, but when we're out on the practice field, I mainly concentrate on just the linebackers."
TarHeelBlue: How close does your defensive philosophy match Coach Bunting's?
Coach Huxtable: "From a philosophical standpoint, John and I are very much alike. I'll be willing to change from week to week to do the things we have to do to give ourselves a chance on Saturday. If it means changing something with a scheme, as long as it's learnable for the kids, I won't have a problem doing those things.
"We've already talked about that. I don't think that will be a problem with Coach Bunting at all."
TarHeelBlue: How is the speed of your defense?
Coach Huxtable: "I think we've got great team speed on defense. I think our kids really run well. Hopefully, we can use that speed to our advantage and be a little more aggressive. We were an aggressive defense last year, but I want to be a little more aggressive this year."
TarHeelBlue: Who are the team leaders on defense?
Coach Huxtable: "Dexter Reid is the first guy that comes to mind. Dexter is a very vocal guy who knows the defense. He's not afraid to step out and be a leader.
"I think Malcolm Stewart will be a leader for us. Malcolm's kind of a quiet guy, but I think he's gaining more confidence and is willing to assume a leadership role.
"I think Will Chapman will be a leader. Kevin Knight is another one. Kevin's a special guy. Kevin is a guy who assumed a leadership role in the spring.
"We're going to have four or five guys who are going to be really good leaders for us."
TarHeelBlue: Who's the "quarterback" of the defense?
Coach Huxtable: "Dexter's the quarterback of the secondary. Our Mike (middle) linebacker will be the quarterback of our front. He's the guy who's going to be in the front of our huddle, making the call.
"Then when we break the huddle and the offense comes to the line of scrimmage, he's going to be the guy who makes our calls and gets our front set. Mike linebacker is the position most suited to be the quarterback up front. That looks to be Doug Justice backed up by Sean Williams."
TarHeelBlue: Would you comment on the defensive backs?
Coach Huxtable: "Our secondary has exceptional speed. Kevin Knight, who was basically our nickel back last year, will be a starting corner. Then you've got Michael Waddell at the other corner. Both those kids run extremely well.
"Dexter Reid has good speed and is a very good player. Chris Curry, who played basically on special teams last year, got better and better as the spring went along. He really finished strong. He felt more comfortable with what he was doing.
"Derrick Johnson, who runs really well, played some last year. Chris Hawkins has gotten bigger and stronger this summer.
"I'm really anxious to see DeFonte Coleman play. DeFonte played early last year on special teams, then got hurt. I understand he's doing a good job this summer with his conditioning.
"We've talked a couple of times lately, and he's really got a great look in his eye. He's very anxious to get back in the mix.
TarHeelBlue: What about your position, the linebackers?
Coach Huxtable: "At the Will (weak-side) spot, I think Malcolm Stewart is going to be a surprise. He had a great spring. He is so athletic and runs so well. He moves with such ease. I'm hoping he's going to be another David Thornton story.
"Behind Malcolm, Clay Roberson runs very well, he works hard, and he got better as the spring progressed. Hopefully he'll give us some positive downs this fall. His lack of experience at the linebacker position is my biggest concern.
"Doug Justice finished the spring as the number one Mike (middle) linebacker. Doug was on the scout team all last year and is young, but he did a nice job this spring with everything we asked him to do. I'm very excited about Doug.
"Backing him up is Sean Williams. Sean is just a tough kid who's going to give us some solid reps this fall. I see he and Doug playing a lot at the Mike linebacker position.
"Clarence Gaddy finished the spring as the number one Sam (strong-side) linebacker. He's worked very hard this summer at getting bigger and stronger, which he needed to do. He was not as strong as he needed to be in the spring. I saw him a couple of days ago, and he looks so much bigger. He needs to have a good fall camp.
"Jeff Longhany was a real surprise to me in the spring. I remember when he reported as a freshman and we were over on Navy Field on the turf doing one on one drills. He was struggling. But he finished with a good spring. He ran so much better. It seemed like he had so much better control of his body and was moving with more ease.
"We're very inexperienced at the linebacker position, but I think we have a group of guys who are eager and want the opportunity to go out and play and show what they can do. The biggest question mark is how well are they going to play on game day, because they are so inexperienced."
Part II: Wednesday, July 31: Coach Huxtable takes a look at the defensive line positions, then discusses motivation, the lack of defensive experience, David Thornton's improvement and more.
