TERRE HAUTE — Have you ever wondered what is the football equivalent of the farm-to-market story?
You know the kind, the type of story or film on how milk makes it to the store or how mail goes from your mailbox to someone else’s.
How does a new football staff take offensive and defensive theory and map out a plan to put it into action? That’s a task any new coach faces and it was no different when Indiana State hired Trent Miles in December.
The nuts and bolts of it really starts with the coordinators. When Miles hired offensive coordinator Bill Diedrick and defensive coordinator Shannon Jackson, he had men he felt he could trust, and that’s half the battle.
“I know them as people and I know them as football coaches. We have the same philosophies. They know what I want, they know how I want to go about getting it done and they’re experienced,” Miles said.
“I’m not going to change their style. We come to a conclusion on how we want it done and I let them do it.”
But like any management team in any vocation, every coach works with his subordinates in a different way. It’s one thing to join an established staff and fall in line, it’s another to start from scratch.
Jackson and Diedrick offered some recent insight into how they fit into ISU’s blueprint.
DEFENSE
Jackson is not new to ISU, but his coordinator position is. Jackson was a Sycamore defensive lineman from 1995-99, a graduate assistant under Tim McGuire in 2000, and a defensive assistant coach from 2000-04. He subsequently spent three seasons at Eastern Illinois as a defensive assistant.
“You kind of form ideas you have as a coach after working with three different coordinators. I took something from each of them. Trent has been a lot of places too, so he brings what ideas he has for defense,” Jackson said.
Jackson had not worked with Miles before, but Miles was familiar with him because of his ISU lineage.
“Once I got here, we just sat here and talked. We talked about philosophies, techniques and expectations on defense. What do we want to be as a defense? Then it goes to the personnel. What personnel do we have? These are the guys we have now, so when we recruit our first class, these are the kids we want on the defense. Those are the kinds of things we talked about,” Jackson said.
It helped that the system Miles and Jackson wanted to run, Jackson calls it a 4-2-5 with 4-3-3 principles, was already put in place by interim coach Dennis Raetz in 2007. That doesn’t mean the defense was ready to run right out of the box. Due to graduation among the linebackers and a general paucity of quality defensive line personnel, recruiting sheer numbers was vital if a defensive foundation was to be laid in 2008 for the future.
“I thought when we got here, our secondary was OK number-wise. Up front? We were short on defensive line and linebackers. So we had to recruit. It’ll be the same thought process for next year’s class,” Jackson said.
With so many bodies absent during spring drills on both sides of the ball — 42 new Sycamores hit the practice field last week when fall training camp began — laying a defensive foundation required a soft touch. If the coaches hit the players with too much, it ran the risk of being counter-productive.
“During the spring, we kept it simple. We put in two coverages and two fronts. We wanted to be sure that this is our philosophy as we go forward. We wanted to establish what our character is going to be on defense,” Jackson said.
And what will that character be? Given that the Sycamores conceded 49.1 points per game in 2007, they’re starting from scratch. But the immediate goals are to improve defense against the run (the Sycamores gave up a whopping 329 yards per game), force more turnovers and just force more three- and four-down situations.
“The key for us is not to go off our plan or vision. This year is about laying the foundation and not getting off course. It’s exciting to lay the foundation and in a couple years, we’ll see what work the coaches and players put in becomes,” Jackson said.
OFFENSE
Unlike Jackson, who is working with Miles for the first time, Diedrick and Miles are long-time cohorts.
The pair began their working relationship in 2001 at Stanford when Diedrick was the offensive coordinator and Miles was the Cardinal’s wide receivers coach. When Diedrick was named offensive coordinator at Notre Dame in 2002, Miles went with him and coached the receivers for the Fighting Irish until 2004.
The pair were split when Miles became the tailbacks coach at Washington from 2005 to 2007, but the bond never disappeared. The offensive plan was a matter of re-establishing symmetry between the two men.
“It was an easy transition, Trent and I have known each other and worked together for a while. We don’t have to figure each other out. There’s an understanding there. We each have a similar type of philosophy, not only of what we want to do, but how we want to do it,” said Diedrick, who has been a recipient of the American Football Coaches Association Lifetime Award.
It was easy, in part, because Miles’ way of working with his assistants was heavily influenced by working under Diedrick.
“I think as a coordinator, I’ve always wanted the rest of the offensive staff to be very involved in the decisions, the game-planning, the scouting and all of that. It’s our offense. It’s not my offense,” Diedrick said. “I think Trent is very much like that. He gives input, he’ll add what he wants to the gameplan, but using that philosophy gives him freedom to do other things. That’s why I look so forward to working with him.”
So what is that philosophy? ISU will run a multiple offense with an emphasis on the run. Personnel was added to bring that along, notably quarterback Calvin Schmidtke, who is competing with Charles Dowdell for the starting spot, and tackle Zach Duke, who joins an almost completely new offensive line. Beyond that, Diedrick won’t accept quick fixes.
“We won’t take any short cuts. There’s no quick fixes, especially with the situation the program was in. It was about as low as you can go,” Diedrick said. “You can build a house, but if it doesn’t have a foundation, it won’t last long. We want to build a program that will be successful for a long time.”
Laying the foundation becomes a mix of keeping things simple in the short term.
“Instead of giving the receivers 25 goals, like last year, I want them to give effort every play, consistently. Can they do that every play? Probably not, but can they get close to that? Yes. The closer they get, the more it gives them a chance to be the football player they’re capable of being. You challenge them individually, but you challenge them as a team,” Diedrick said.
Jackson and Diedrick have been given the freedom to challenge the players on their units as they see fit. Miles doesn’t think it’s productive to do it any other way.
“I’ve been with some coaches that weren’t willing to listen. I think you need to communicate, be on the same page at all times, and just do it. The coaches I worked with that weren’t willing to listen to anybody, what are [the assistant coaches] there for? Why are you paying them to be there?” Miles said. “In the long run, [the vision of the program] is exactly what I want done, but I’m smart enough to listen if there’s a different suggestion. I’d be stupid not to listen. I know what I want, but there’s different ways to go about getting it.”
College
Related Photos
-
Joseph C. Garza
-
Joseph C. Garza
Discussion
From theory to action: Trust of coordinators is part of Miles’ ISU plan
- College
-
-
Indiana State connects on all 12 of its 3-point shots vs. SIU and sets three NCAA records in process
When you’re a shooter and you’re in a slump, the boilerplate cure is to summon amnesia, forget about your struggles and keep on shooting.
-
ISU's Webb wins heptathlon
Indiana State’s Robert Webb captured the heptathlon Saturday at the Grand Valley State Big Meet as he totaled the second most points in ISU history while dominating the event. Webb scored 5,140 points, which is second only to former Sycamore Anthony Bertoli’s 5,189 points in 2008.
Webb, a senior, established three more personal best efforts enroute to the overall victory as he ran 8.45 in the 60 meter hurdles and 2 minutes, 50.73 seconds in the 1,000 meters while also clearing 13-1 1/2 in the pole vault. Webb entered the second day of the event in the lead with 2,893 points after winning three of the four Friday events and setting personal bests in the long jump and shot put. -
Perfect game: ISU shoots NCAA record 12-for-12 from 3-point range in win over SIU
Indiana State set an NCAA record for 3-point percentage and consecutive 3-pointers made Saturday afternoon in Hulman Center, connecting on all 12 attempts during a 78-68 win over Southern Illinois.
-
‘Frustrated’ Sycamores regroup to face Southern Illinois
Indiana State’s men’s basketball struggles have hit one Sycamore senior hard.
-
Thomas nets double-double as ISU women end losing streak
The halftime speech is one of the most time-worn clichés in sports, but once in a while, it’s meaningful. It certainly was for the Indiana State women’s basketball team on Friday against Bradley.
-
Sycamore women looking to snap six-game losing streak
The Indiana State women’s basketball team is in dire need of a victory in Hulman Center this weekend.
Bradley visits Terre Haute tonight looking to sweep the season series from the Sycamores, who are in jeopardy of the program’s first seven-game losing streak since the 1995-96 season.
“I think it should [add to motivation]. There’s no doubt that group in the locker room in there is very disappointed,” Coach Teri Moren said. “As I keep saying, we’re in a rough patch right now, and there’s no group of kids that wants to get right back on track more than they do.” -
Leonard dominates in first half, but IU, Zeller earn the victory
The first half belonged to Illinois’ Meyers Leonard.
The win belonged to Indiana and Cody Zeller.
The 23rd-ranked Hoosiers (19-6, 7-6 Big Ten) took advantage of a glaring free-throw discrepancy to defeat the Illini 84-71 on Thursday. -
Rose women roll; Dickerson becomes all-time assists leader
Rose-Hulman senior Alisa Dickerson became the college’s career leader in assists as the Engineers cruised past Defiance 60-33 in Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference women’s basketball Saturday afternoon in Hulbert Arena.
-
MVC’s worst a tantalizing option for ISU
Even though the Indiana State men’s basketball team has played better of late, having won three of its last four games, there’s only one team with a worse record in the Missouri Valley Conference standings than the Sycamores.
-
Sycamores can’t stop Stutz, Shockers
All or nothing. It was that kind of game for Wichita State center Garrett Stutz. Unfortunately for Indiana State’s men’s basketball team, the “all” came in the second half.
-
McWhorter’s fortunes rise with ISU’s
More so than any other Sycamore, Steve McWhorter might embody the decline and the recent rise of the Indiana State men’s basketball team.
-
Johnson dominates again for ISU track
Felisha Johnson continued to dominate women’s weight throw while two Indiana State hurdlers moved into today’s finals after solid performances in the preliminaries Friday at the Meyo Invitational at Notre Dame.
-
Indiana State women lose at Illinois State
Playing short-handed again, Indiana State’s women suffered their sixth straight Missouri Valley Conference basketball loss Friday night, falling 78-67 to host Illinois State.
-
Indiana, Purdue meet with both looking to regain momentum
Indiana University’s stint in the Top 25 may be coming to an end. Purdue is just looking for a winning streak.
-
ISU women looking to end five-game losing streak at Illinois State
Within a few points in the final minutes, Indiana State had chances to win women’s basketball games at Missouri State and Wichita State last weekend.
But the Sycamores lost for the fourth and fifth straight games, also losing freshman Jessica Valley for the season at Wichita State. The promising backcourt player tore the ACL in her right knee and began strengthening exercises this week in order to make plans for surgery. -
ISU Senior Day game to be televised on ESPN
The Missouri Valley Conference announced Thursday that Indiana State’s regular season finale against No. 12-ranked Creighton on Feb. 25 in Hulman Center has been chosen as the MVC’s “wild card” game that will be telecast on either ESPN or ESPN2.
-
Hoosiers load up on in-state players
With a 1-11 record in his first season as IU football coach, Kevin Wilson knew there were a lot of holes to fill in terms of personnel.
- Wabash Valley verbal commitments
-
It’s on: Sycamores, Bulldogs to play at Hinkle on Feb. 18
How badly did Indiana State want to get Butler as its BracketBusters opponent?
-
METRO ROUNDUP: Four from Rose receive weekly honors
Four Rose-Hulman athletes earned Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference weekly honors, the HCAC announced Monday.
-
Hoosiers reclaim needed offensive momentum
Indiana hadn’t allowed an opponent to shoot better than 40 percent in three straight games heading into Sunday’s home game against Iowa.
-
Sycamores will have to match Aces’ toughness
Indiana State men’s basketball coach Greg Lansing has an enduring respect for the toughness Evansville coach Marty Simmons coaxes out of his Purple Aces.
-
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL ROUNDUP: Rose, The Woods post weekend victories
Rose-Hulman relied on a balanced scoring attack and a strong defensive effort to earn a 55-44 women’s basketball victory Saturday over Mount St. Joseph.
-
ISU's Stacia Weatherford sets school record in 60-meter hurdles
Indiana State junior Stacia Weatherford set the school record in the women’s 60-meter hurdles, while sophomore Greggmar Swift dominated the action in the men’s 60 hurdles during competition Saturday at the Indiana Relays.
-
Rose takes first in Engineer Track and Field Invitational
Rose-Hulman relied on nine event victories, 13 top-two finishes and three school records for a strong performance at the ninth annual Engineer Track and Field Invitational on Saturday.
The men’s squad captured first place honors in a meet that featured two of the nation's top 20 NCAA Division III squads and 12 institutions from seven states. The day’s competition also included 10 meet records. -
Mattox’s 31 not enough for ISU women
Indiana State pulled within 63-57 with a 6-0 run with 8 minutes, 50 seconds remaining Friday night at JQH Arena, but the Sycamores lost 84-70 to host Missouri State in a Missouri Valley Conference women's basketball game.
-
Mattox, Sycamores staying positive on road trip to Missouri State, Wichita State
Indiana State seniors Brittany Schoen and Deja Mattox are within striking distance of passing 1,000 points in their women’s basketball careers, and they would join classmate Shannon Thomas in that club. Schoen needs just 16 points, while Mattox is 89 points away.
But Mattox has been on a roll of late, scoring a team-high 15.1 points through ISU’s 4-3 start to Missouri Valley Conference play. -
IU triumphs
When Indiana’s Will Sheehey left the floor after receiving his second technical foul, the Hoosier fans cheered.
-
ISU women nipped at buzzer
Creighton sophomore Carli Tritz — blanketed by Indiana State senior Brittany Schoen — had just two points at halftime Friday in Hulman Center.
-
ISU needs to find chip on its shoulder
When one looks back at the totality of Indiana State’s 2010-11 men’s basketball season, there’s a recurrent theme that tied together the high points in a 20-14 campaign. A recurrent theme that might give ISU a lifeline in what has been a disappointing 2012 season.
- More College Headlines
-
Raw Video: Greek Rioting Ahead of Austerity Vote
Greece Passes New Austerity Deal Amid Rioting
Coroner: Houston Autopsy Results Weeks Away
Pop Music Superstar Whitney Houston Dies at 48
Raw Video: Child Rescued After Kosovo Avalanche
Raw Video: Whitney Houston's Last Performance
Reaction to Houston's Death at Clive Davis Party
Whitney Houston's Church Mourns Her Passing
Severe Cold Wreaks Havoc in China
Police: Houston Found Dead in Her Hotel Room
Fans 'Speechless' Over Houston's Death
Fuel Removal Under Way on Capsized Italian Ship
Snow Strands Italian Towns
79 Turtles Seized at Shanghai Airport
Video of M.I.A's Obscene Halftime Gesture
Paul Suffers Narrow Loss to Romney in Maine
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Recording Superstar Whitney Houston Dead at 48
Today in History for Tuesday, February 12th
Stocks Fall Sharply As Greek Deal Is Held Up
'Rumor Has It' Adele's Rolling in the Grammys
Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson after the Pebble Beach Pro Am-2/12
Exclusive Video: Bobbi Kristina Leaving Hospital
2012 Grammys: Rihanna
Raw Video: Aurora Borealis As Seen From Space
2012 Grammys: Taylor Swift
Exclusive Video - Whitney's Bodybag
FUEL TV: Punk Payback Gym tips
Whitney's Final Days - EXCLUSIVE
Romney Tops Santorum in CPAC Straw Poll
First glimpse of Blue Ivy Carter
Angry Dad Shoots Teens Laptop
Peek inside Barbie's closet
Absolute Lin-sanity
Madonna's Daughter Shaves Head
5 Killed in Wrong-way Crash on I-10 in La.
Test on Comforter in Powell Unit Shows Blood
Hero Driver Saves Kids From Burning Bus
