Last season was the first for Tony Gibson as the Wolfpack's defensive coordinator and coaching linebackers.
NC State finished seventh among 15 teams (counting Notre Dame) in points allowed at 29.2 and yards per game surrendered at 415.0. It also finished seventh in total number of interceptions (10) and in rushing yards per game (173.9).
In other words, statistically, it was a middle-of-the-road defense in the ACC. But when you account for the fact that the new defense install was delayed by spring practices being canceled because of COVID-19, then it looks a little more successful in the final analysis.
Four of NC State's final five opponents scored 23 points or fewer, and the other was Syracuse, whose 29 points included a safety and a kick return for a score. Gibson is hoping to build off that momentum.
Here is part I of our Q&A with the NC State defensive coordinator.
Looking back at last season, what was good about the defense and what are some of the things you felt like were missing?
“I think our kids gained confidence as the year went on. I thought we were playing our best football at the end of the year. Those last four or five games, I thought the kids really, really started understanding the system.
"That was due to a lot of different things, but the biggest thing I attribute that to is there was no spring football, a new system, and I think our kids started getting more comfortable as the year went on with it.
"Excited about where we are at. I saw our individuals get better, I saw us get better as a unit and gaining confidence as we went through it. Excited about that.
“Some of the things I thought we were missing — injuries, our secondary got beat up a little bit. Playing some guys that weren’t quite ready or moving guys week-by-week just trying to fill the hole where we had injuries. You can’t really control injuries, but hopefully we’ll have some better luck with that.
"The last two years injuries has really gotten us.”
Last year you said secondary depth was your main concern, especially at safety, and lo and behold that is where your injuries were. Are you more comfortable with the depth now?
“A lot more comfortable with it. Derrek [Pitts Jr.] is a guy that could play corner or safety for us. He’s played in this scheme, understands the terminology.
"Cyrus [Fagan] has played a lot of football. We really needed some older, experienced guys, and went out and filled that need. And also getting Teshaun [Smith] and Chris [Ingram] back. We feel really good about where we are at.
"Now we just got to continue to get better and keep those guys on the field.”
