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Takeaways from Bob Shoop's first press conference as Mississippi State defensive coordinator

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MSU defensive coordinator Bob Shoop answers a question during a press conference.

MSU defensive coordinator Bob Shoop answers a question during a press conference.

STARKVILLE — Bob Shoop jokingly said that the half-mile between Mississippi State’s football complex and Davis Wade Stadium was about the same distance from his family’s home growing up in Pittsburgh to where Joe Moorhead lived.

In reality, the distance was a bit longer than that, but the point is well-taken. They are both Yinzers-turned-Bulldogs. They didn’t know one another well back then, though; Shoop is seven years older than Moorhead and was therefore friendlier with Moorhead’s older brother.

The ties don’t stop there, and the connections are a major reason why Shoop is Moorhead’s first defensive coordinator at Mississippi State.

More: How Joe Moorhead assembled his first staff at Mississippi State

When Penn State had an opening for an offensive coordinator in late 2015, it was Shoop, as Shoop recalled Wednesday, who recommended Moorhead to Nittany Lions coach James Franklin.

When Mississippi State had an opening for a defensive coordinator after Todd Grantham followed Dan Mullen to Florida, it was Moorhead who reached out to Shoop with a text.

“Listen, don’t worry about those last two years (at Tennessee),” Moorhead told Shoop as Shoop recalled. “I got this situation at Mississippi State. I know the job you did at Vanderbilt. I know the job you did at Penn State. Sit tight. It’s going to work out.”

Story continues below gallery.

Tennessee’s defenses under Shoop struggled. The Volunteers surrendered 5.94 yards per play last season, with opposing teams having success on third down and in the red zone. The Vols had only five interceptions in 2017, which ranked last in the SEC. Shoop’s track record prior to his stop in Knoxville was much better than that with successful defenses at Penn State and Vanderbilt.

“The last six or seven weeks of last season were probably the toughest I ever had to deal with professionally,” Shoop said.

Things are expected to be much different for Shoop in Starkville, where he inherited a defense that returns eight starters and allowed 5.3 yards per play last season (No. 48 in the country).

Shoop was introduced to the media in Starkville for the first time on Wednesday, and while much more will be learned when the Bulldogs start spring practice on Mar. 20, here are the important takeaways as far as first impressions go.

More: What Mississippi State’s defensive players want from new coordinator Bob Shoop

What Shoop’s defense is expected to look like

Shoop is good friends with Manny Diaz, and he said his scheme is similar to the former Mississippi State and current Miami defensive coordinator’s.

Shoop’s base defense features four-down linemen, so expect to see more 4-2-5 (nickel), 4-3 and dime than 3-4. That could be helpful to MSU because the Bulldogs are deep on the line and at safety and aren’t as deep at linebacker. Still, MSU thrived in Grantham’s 3-4 and Shoop said that three-down linemen fronts will still be used and he will encourage feedback from holdover assistants Terrell Buckley and Brian Baker.

MSU has a lot of versatility and player positions among the hybrid guys will be worth watching this spring. Gerri Green, Montez Sweat and Marquiss Spencer can all play either end or outside linebacker, and Shoop specifically said Green’s role may change and that would mean him becoming more of an end. Keep in mind: Defensive end Chauncey Rivers will be eligible after needing to sit out last year.  

MSU performed well in nickel packages last year and Shoop said Brian Cole, who redshirted last season, may see action there or at corner, where the Bulldogs graduated two starters.

Interestingly, Shoop referred to Erroll Thompson as the team’s middle linebacker and the signal-caller. MSU needs someone to replace Dez Harris and Thompson, Willie Gay Jr. and Leo Lewis are all capable.

There is no shortage of possible lineups for certain situations and downs, and Shoop intends to use that versatility to the Bulldogs’ advantage.

“I’m a pretty lucky guy,” Shoop said.

More: John Cohen talks future of Mississippi State baseball

Acknowledging the continuity issue 

Shoop is MSU’s fifth defensive coordinator in as many seasons.

“It’s weird,” Shoop said.

Players are again asked to trust a new voice, and Shoop needs guys to believe in his way of doing things after they had so much success under Grantham last season. That’s why Shoop met with every defensive player for 30 minutes each after players returned from the winter break. They discussed families, high school careers, why they’re in Starkville and Shoop’s background.

“It’s that,” Shoop said. “It’s about developing meaningful relationships and showing how I can help them take their game to the next level.”

 


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