Wildcat Coaches to Gang Tackle

Defensive backs coach Jerry Brown has been Northwestern’s interim defensive coordinator since Ron Vanderlinden left to become Maryland’s head coach. However, the defense is being coached by committee, with outside linebackers coach Tim Kish and defensive line Vince Okruch also contributing opinions.

Brown said the deployment of the Wildcats’ secondary will depend on Tennessee’s formations.

“I guess to a degree, it could scare you a little bit to face Peyton Manning and their great receivers,” Brown said. “You look at their game films and you say, ‘They’re a doggone-good football team.’ But we’re a doggone-good football team also. It’s a matter of coming up with a plan and executing it.”

Kish will leave Northwestern after the Citrus Bowl to become offensive coordinator at Illinois. Quarterbacks coach Craig Johnson is expected to join Vanderlinden at Maryland.

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Tennessee offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe said he’s eager to see what effect Vanderlinden’s departure might have. His biggest concern is the Wildcats’ size and their varied defensive looks.

“We’re not playing boys. These guys are men,” Cutcliffe said.