Cavalot
Cornerback
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Names of Interest. No inside info. Listened to Wilson Dittman talk about this. Thoughts? Any other names?
Jim Leonhard
Justin Wilcox
Jim Knowles
Joe Rossi
Scott Simmons
Jess Loepp
Brent Pry
Here’s a quick summary of what’s publicly known about each of those defensive coordinators — their background, roles, and some highlights.
Jess Loepp
Pros
- Sounds like a heavy pressure scheme, with focus on takeways, TFL's, Sacks
- Texas connections, also coaches at SMU previously
- Broyles award semifinalist
Cons
- No P5 experience as a coordinator (huge thing for me, preferably someone who knows what Big 10 football is about)
- Safeties is a specialty, but I like Addy back there right now
Brent Pry
Jim Leonhard
Justin Wilcox
Jim Knowles
Joe Rossi
Scott Simmons
Jess Loepp
Brent Pry
Here’s a quick summary of what’s publicly known about each of those defensive coordinators — their background, roles, and some highlights.
Jim Leonhard
- Former NFL safety — after his playing career he transitioned to coaching. Wikipedia+1
- Became defensive backs coach at Wisconsin Badgers (his alma mater) in 2016. Wikipedia
- In 2017 he was promoted to Defensive Coordinator at Wisconsin, replacing Justin Wilcox. Wikipedia+1
- Under Leonhard, Wisconsin’s defense was often among the nation’s best — he was also a finalist for the Broyles Award (top assistant-coach award) as a defensive coordinator. Wikipedia+1
- After his Wisconsin DC stint he moved to the NFL (as a pass-game / secondary coach), so he combines experience from both college and pro levels. Eleven Warriors+1
Justin Wilcox
- Played college football at Oregon Ducks as a defensive back (safety / cornerback). Wikipedia+1
- Began coaching as a graduate assistant at Boise State Broncos (2001–2002), then coached linebackers at California Golden Bears. Wikipedia+1
- Became Defensive Coordinator at Boise State (2006–2009), then held DC posts at several major programs: Tennessee Volunteers, Washington Huskies, USC Trojans, and finally Wisconsin Badgers (2016). Wikipedia+2NCAA.com+2
- His defenses were frequently among the country’s top units — for example, his Wisconsin defense in 2016 finished 11–3 with a Cotton Bowl win. Wikipedia+2NCAA.com+2
- Later, he moved from defense-coordinator roles into head coaching (at California), so his trajectory includes both DC and head-coach experience. NCAA.com+1
Jim Knowles
- Longtime college coach and former college player (defensive end at Cornell Big Red). Wikipedia+1
- Over ~37 years of coaching, including about 17 years as a defensive coordinator, and six years as a head coach (at Cornell). Penn State - Official Athletics Website+1
- Has served as DC at multiple major programs: Western Michigan Broncos, Oklahoma State Cowboys, Duke Blue Devils, Ohio State Buckeyes — most recently (2022–2024) at Ohio State. Wikipedia+2Ohio State+2
- Under Knowles, Ohio State’s defense in 2024 ranked first nationally in total defense and scoring defense — a sign of his impact. Penn State - Official Athletics Website+2Eleven Warriors+2
- As of 2025, Knowles accepted a Defensive Coordinator position with Penn State Nittany Lions. Penn State - Official Athletics Website+1
Joe Rossi
- Former college defensive-end player (at Allegheny Gaytors 1997–2000). Wikipedia
- Began coaching in early 2000s at small college levels (e.g. DL coach at Thiel College), then gradually worked up: defensive coordinator / LB coach at Thiel (2003–2006), defensive coordinator at Maine Black Bears (2009–2011), then various roles at Rutgers Scarlet Knights and Minnesota Golden Gophers. Wikipedia
- From 2019–2023, Rossi was the Defensive Coordinator & Linebackers Coach at Minnesota. Wikipedia
- In 2024 he became Defensive Coordinator & Linebackers Coach at Michigan State Spartans. Wikipedia
Scott Simmons
- Scott Simmons is the current DC at SMU I believe.
Jess Loepp
Pros
- Sounds like a heavy pressure scheme, with focus on takeways, TFL's, Sacks
- Texas connections, also coaches at SMU previously
- Broyles award semifinalist
Cons
- No P5 experience as a coordinator (huge thing for me, preferably someone who knows what Big 10 football is about)
- Safeties is a specialty, but I like Addy back there right now
Brent Pry
🛡️ Defensive Reputation & Coaching Style
- Penn State produced a highly disruptive defense — pressure-heavy, aggressive front-seven play, solid against both run and pass. Over a multi-year span, the Nittany Lions ranked among the national leaders in sacks, pressures, fewest passing TDs allowed, and tackles-for-loss. Penn State - Official Athletics Website+1
- Throughout his overall career, Pry has been associated with multiple top-10 or top-25 total-defenses at different programs (Penn State, Vanderbilt, Georgia Southern, Western Carolina, and early in his career at his former school Virginia Tech Hokies) at various times. News Journal+2Virginia Tech Athletics+2
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