Greg Robinson: Michigan’s New Defensive Coordinator
Coach Robinson is a high-energy hands-on type of football coach. He has a wealth of experience as defensive coordinator and as a defensive line coach. He has also worked with linebackers in the past.
The last time we had a chance to hear Coach Robinson speak, he talked a lot about being strong fundamentally, and even demonstrated proper stance to help get off the ball quicker.
He talked mostly about playing “four” fronts and gave two reasons for this preference:
1) He said playing “four” fronts gave the defense more opportunity to be/play aggressive, his exact words.
2) Coach Robinson also said playing “four fronts” allowed for more penetration and up-field play.
He talked about three goals on defense:
1) Stopping the run.
2) Creating turnovers.
3) Creating sacks / getting to the quarterback.
The other thing Coach Robinson is known for is his zone-blitz schemes which have been described in terms like “exotic” and “crazy.”
In zone-blitz schemes, you blitz a player — or players — from the back seven. To replace them in coverage, you drop a defensive lineman into coverage. This type of scheme can really confuse an offensive line, but it can also create some unfavorable match ups.
This is what we said about him earlier last week:
“Robinson: Top-notch defensive coordinator with excellent resume — including Super Bowl rings. Has a very good defensive mind and an outstanding resume. Would take Robinson over the other defensive coordinator that was on the list going around the message boards and blogs.”
We will give a more in-depth write up on Greg Robinson after the Coaches Clinic this spring.
Greg Robinson’s resume:
Coaching Experience:
• 2005-08 Head Coach Syracuse
• 2004 Co-Defensive Coordinator/LBs Texas
• 2001-03 Defensive Coordinator Kansas City Chiefs
• 1995-2000 Defensive Coordinator Denver Broncos
• 1994 Defensive Coordinator New York Jets
• 1990-93 Assistant Coach/Defensive Line New York Jets
• 1989 Offensive Coordinator UCLA
• 1982-88 Assistant Coach/Defensive Line UCLA
• 1980-81 Assistant Coach North Carolina St.
• 1977-79 Assistant Coach Cal State Fullerton
• 1975-76 Assistant Coach Pacific
Coaching Accomplishments
Syracuse University (2005-08)
• In his three seasons at Syracuse, 11Orange players have earned All-BIG EAST honors and six have been selected in the NFL Draft
• In 2007, the Orange set the school record for the most passing yards (2,750) in a season
• In 2006, the Orange tied for fourth nationally in passes had intercepted (5), ranked ninth in turnover margin (+.92), tied for 11th in fewest turnovers lost (17) and tied for 22nd in turnovers gained (28)
• Syracuse’s 2.83 sacks per game ranked 19th nationally in 2006
• Syracuse tied for 23rd in Division I-A victory improvement in 2006
• The 2005, defensive unit ranked 21st in pass defense and 37th in pass efficiency defense, climbing from 2004 rankings of 90th and 97th, respectively
University of Texas (2004)
• Defense ranked 18th in scoring defense (17.92), 16th in rushing defense (107.42) and 23rd in total defense (320.08) in the country
• Two first-team All-Big 12 selections and five others who earned recognition among the All-Big 12 second, third and honorable mention teams
Kansas City Chiefs (2001-03)
• In 2002 and 2003, the defense produced 70 sacks and forced 68 turnovers (43 interceptions/25 fumble recoveries). During that time, Kansas City posted a 21-11 record
• 2002 defense ranked third in the NFL, led AFC in turnover margin (+16) and registered 34 sacks, 18 interceptions and forced 31 total miscues
• 2003 led NFL in turnover margin (+19), tied for sixth in sacks (36) sacks, third in interceptions (25), fifth in forced turnovers (37)
Denver Broncos (1995-2000)
• 1999 defense ranked seventh in total defense (297.1 ypg) and eighth in pass defense (188.5 ypg)
• The performance of Robinson’s defense throughout the ‘98 playoffs was paramount to Denver’s quest for a second straight title. The Broncos allowed opponents just 25 total points, 53.0 rushing yards per game and forced a remarkable 13 turnovers in the three postseason games.
• 1998 ranked third in run defense (80.4 ypg) and eighth in scoring defense (19.3 ppg)
• 1997 defense ranked fifth in total defense (291.9), sixth in scoring defense (17.9 ppg), and fifth in pass defense (179.3 ypg)
• 1996 defense ranked fourth in total defense (279.4 ypg), seventh in scoring defense (17.2 ppg), 10th in pass defense (214.3 ypg), and led the NFL in run defense (83.2 ypg)
• 1995 defense ranked eighth in pass defense (206.1 ypg)
Championship and Bowl Games as a Coach
• Robinson’s Bowl Record (Super Bowl and Collegiate): 10-0
• 2004 Rose Bowl Champions, Texas
• 2003 NFL Playoffs, Kansas City Chiefs
• 2000 NFL Playoffs, Denver Broncos
• 1999 NFL Playoffs, Denver Broncos
• 1998 Super Bowl Champions, Denver Broncos
• 1997 Super Bowl Champions, Denver Broncos
• 1996 NFL Playoffs, Denver Broncos
• 1991 NFL Playoffs, New York Jets
• 1988 Cotton Bowl Champions, UCLA
• 1987 Aloha Bowl Champions, UCLA
• 1986 Freedom Bowl Champions, UCLA
• 1985 Rose Bowl Champions, UCLA
• 1984 Fiesta Bowl Champions, UCLA
• 1983 Rose Bowl Champions, UCLA
• 1982 Rose Bowl Champions, UCLA
Prominent Players Coached
Flipper Anderson
Steve Atwater
Steve Gregory
Tanard Jackson
Derrick Johnson
Ryan LaCasse
Jeff Lageman
John Mobley
Ken Norton
Quinn Ojinnaka
Roman Phifer
Bill Romanowski
Anthony Smith
Jerome Woods
James Wyche
Written by CoachBt and ErocWolverine