Wanted to link some of our Jon Hoke-related content for those that missed it, plus sort of summarize things and give a few more thoughts here.
Not much of a better place to go to find out more about coaching style/personality than a couple of guys that played for Hoke at Florida and went on to great success in the NFL. Subscribers-only Q&As below...
Former Gator/NFL DB Keiwan Ratliff gives his perspective
Former Gator/NFL LB Andra Davis talks Hoke
Veteran Florida writer Pat Dooley discusses Hoke
Like I said back on Thursday, when Hoke was hired the understanding between him and Spurrier would be that Hoke would be the lone addition (unless something changes in the future with another defection or something of that nature) to the staff. That was agreed upon and Hoke was fine with it.
Hoke has years of experience in many different types of defenses. He's well versed in the zone and man coverages and has seen a lot between the 3-4 (under Dom Capers), 4-3 (multiple guys including his own defense at Florida), and different fronts/pressure packages. When he was at Florida, the base defense was an "over" 4-3 front. On early downs, Hoke liked to pressure the front and confuse the front by having seven or eight defenders in the box and playing man coverage across the board with a high safety normally. On obvious passing downs/third downs, the pressure came from the zone blitzes. This is all stuff that Davis/Ratliff talked with us about and they have great perspective having been in the trenches playing for Hoke.
Hoke emphasizes carrying out assignments and doing it the right way and turnovers. The best anecdote I've heard so far came from Andra Davis when he said that Mississippi State beat Florida soundly (and gave up 371 rushing yards) during his junior year. The next season was a big revenge game, and he said Hoke had the guys dialed in and the Bulldogs put up a zero. Both Ratliff and Davis also both mentioned that Hoke would get the players' perspectives on the sidelines and even sought input on calls based on what was happening on the field.
This post was edited on 2/9 10:00 AM by Chris Clark
Not much of a better place to go to find out more about coaching style/personality than a couple of guys that played for Hoke at Florida and went on to great success in the NFL. Subscribers-only Q&As below...
Former Gator/NFL DB Keiwan Ratliff gives his perspective
Former Gator/NFL LB Andra Davis talks Hoke
Veteran Florida writer Pat Dooley discusses Hoke
Like I said back on Thursday, when Hoke was hired the understanding between him and Spurrier would be that Hoke would be the lone addition (unless something changes in the future with another defection or something of that nature) to the staff. That was agreed upon and Hoke was fine with it.
Hoke has years of experience in many different types of defenses. He's well versed in the zone and man coverages and has seen a lot between the 3-4 (under Dom Capers), 4-3 (multiple guys including his own defense at Florida), and different fronts/pressure packages. When he was at Florida, the base defense was an "over" 4-3 front. On early downs, Hoke liked to pressure the front and confuse the front by having seven or eight defenders in the box and playing man coverage across the board with a high safety normally. On obvious passing downs/third downs, the pressure came from the zone blitzes. This is all stuff that Davis/Ratliff talked with us about and they have great perspective having been in the trenches playing for Hoke.
Hoke emphasizes carrying out assignments and doing it the right way and turnovers. The best anecdote I've heard so far came from Andra Davis when he said that Mississippi State beat Florida soundly (and gave up 371 rushing yards) during his junior year. The next season was a big revenge game, and he said Hoke had the guys dialed in and the Bulldogs put up a zero. Both Ratliff and Davis also both mentioned that Hoke would get the players' perspectives on the sidelines and even sought input on calls based on what was happening on the field.
This post was edited on 2/9 10:00 AM by Chris Clark
