D.K. McDonald on utilizing multiple defenses, preparing for Wagner

Kansas put together a strong defensive performance in Week 0 against Fresno State. The Jayhawks allowed just seven points, none after the first drive, forced three turnovers, and limited the Bulldogs to 216 total yards. Defensive coordinator D.K. McDonald talked about the depth that allows Kansas to be multiple, preparing the defense for Wagner, and how he goes about coaching from the sideline.

Depth up front allows Kansas to be multiple

D.K. McDonald used a lot of different looks on Saturday, using three defensive tackles up front with a lot of different players off the edge. Dean Miller was unavailable with injury, but McDonald thought the depth allowed Kansas to do different things.

“We’re just always going to be multiple,” McDonald said. “We got the capability to be really multiple, and I believe in that. So that’s what we’re going to do. So sometimes you may see three guys out there, sometimes two defensive tackles. Whatever it takes to win a game is what we’re going to do and try to keep it as simple as we can for our guys and play fast, physical and for each other.”

The amount of moving parts can make it difficult for a defense to get lined up the right way. McDonald has stressed communication with his players, and he thought things went well Saturday. He wants the defense to be multiple while also being simple enough for his guys to play fast.

“We didn’t have blown coverages, we didn’t have misalignments, we didn’t have guys in their own gaps or anything like that,” McDonald said. “Like I keep saying, it’s a simple defense. So our guys picked it up great. Our guys work their butts off to try to understand it. And then we do a great job communicating and helping each other out if guys are out of place. So, you know, simplicity just helps you play faster and helps you understand it better and gives you better results.”

‘Good is the enemy of great’

While Kansas put together a pretty complete performance defensively last week, coaches can always find areas for improvement. Fresno State drove the ball down the field easily on its first drive thanks to a poor tackling effort. D.K. McDonald wants the tackling to improve to start the game and for his defense to not get complacent.

“I think the communication was good, but the good is the enemy of great,” McDonald said. “And so we got to be just a little click better with that, you know, just running around, different things like that. It’s just so many things just scheme-wise that I think we can clean up and really take our game to another level that hopefully we can do this game and continuing on.”

Kansas will look to continue its strong defensive start to the season against Wagner on Friday. McDonald said he expects the Seahawks’ offense to be multiple. Also, like last week, a new coaching staff presents some of the element of the unknown.

I know last year they did a lot of stuff that we do here offensively, and I know how much of a challenge that is for us each and every day going against our own offense,” McDonald said. “And the tough part is, just like last week, we’re not quite sure what they’re going to do. So we’re going to have to come out and we’re going to adjust and we’re going to have to just play fast and let everything go from there and then make adjustments on the fly just like we did last week.”

McDonald comfortable coaching from the sideline

Each coach has different preferences for where they like to call plays from. Offensive coordinator Jim Zebrowski likes calling plays from the booth so he can see the back end of the defense better. McDonald said he’s comfortable from the sideline, moving around so he can see different aspects of the game.

“Sometimes when I’m way back, I’m just kind of looking at angles and kind of seeing how our fits look and different things like that,” McDonald said. “Sometimes I like to stand at the line of scrimmage and see how the battle of the line of scrimmage is going, if we’re getting penetration on their side of the line of scrimmage. And then sometimes there’s just so many people around me when I’m standing there that I just need to move.”