North Carolina State University Athletics
Defensive Coordination
8/20/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 20, 2002
By Tony Haynes
Raleigh, N.C.-Because he has the benefit of playing a first game only once, NC State head football coach Chuck Amato is trying maintain a certain level of confidentiality when it comes to certain 'little' details. It's all about preserving the element of surprise that exists before every season opener. With that in mind, don't even think about asking him which one of his coaches will be flashing defensive signals during Saturday's season opener against New Mexico.
"I'm not going to tell you that," Amato said to the media on Monday. "We're going to let the other team figure that out."
The Wolfpack defense this season will be orchestrated by what Amato calls his "law firm" of Demarest, Diaz, Pate and Williams. Instead of hiring a defensive coordinator to replace Buddy Green, who left NC State to accept a similar position at Navy during the off-season, Amato decided that his four defensive assistants would coordinate the defense this season. Of course, don't think for a minute that the head coach, a longtime defensive coach himself, has completely removed himself from the process.
The newest member of the defensive staff is Greg Williams, a former Wolfpack defensive back who is in charge of coaching the cornerbacks. Williams, who was a part of the famed "White Shoes Defense" in 1967, has experience as a defensive coordinator, having served in that capacity at Connecticut (1992-94), Maryland (1987-91) LSU (1980-81) and West Virginia (1976).
"I've been really impressed how they have worked, and together, how they have accepted Greg Williams," Amato said of the cohesive working relationship that exists with his defensive coaches.
Defensive line coach Joe Pate, who has been an assistant coach for 33 years now, worked as NC State's defensive coordinator from 1986-89. Chris Demarest (defensive backs) and Manny Diaz (linebackers) are the youngest members of the defensive staff. All four coaches will be involved in coordinating weekly game plans, while also making significant contributions to game-day adjustments and strategies.
"Greg Williams will be upstairs (in the press box)," Amato said. "We may put either Manny or Chris Demarest up there as well. We're still discussing that. For Greg, that's the only place he's ever been and he's good at it up there."
For the players, the coordinator-by-committee approach hasn't been a problem. Some, in fact, think the new power structure is working out beautifully.
"I don't think it's been strange or different," said senior linebacker Dantonio Burnette. "One thing that was good is that we didn't have to get used to a new coach that would come in and make changes. Coach Pate has really stepped up to the table and become the coach on defense who has gotten the team together and disciplined everybody. We'll have a guy on the sidelines who will call the plays and that's all we're worrying about. They'll call the plays and we'll go out there and execute the defense that they call."
And who will be making those defensive calls? Only Burnette and his teammates will know the answer to that question before Saturday.
