When Derek Nicholson first got to Miami, I reported that he was viewed as a future defensive coordinator. It didn’t take long, as he’s officially been promoted to Co-DC of the Hurricanes. He shared his thoughts on the new title and more when he spoke to reporters after practice:
On the first day of full pads: The first day of pads is always awesome. Getting after it, a lot of back and forth. That’s what you like to see in spring. I thought the guys competed hard and and got better today.
On linebackers playing multiple spots: We are fairly young but very talented. It's very fluid. We cross train, where you'll have a different Mike (MLB) and a different Will (WLB). You saw that last year with guys like Kiko [Mauigoa] playing Mike and Will. Same with Wesley [Bissainthe] playing Will and Sam. We're still continuing to do that.
On Raul “Popo” Aguirre: Popo has done a great job. He's continued to take steps, leaps and bounds from where he was at the end of the year. Continued to understand and has a great concept of the defense. He communicates well and he's confident in what he's doing. This is his first spring. He didn't come early last year, so he has improved each and every day.
On Aldarius Hayes: Aldarius, full pads, he was thumping. That was really good to see. You could see him confident, strutting around there, which you like to see from a young player.
On Cameron “Bobby” Pruitt: He just has flashed. Every day seems like he's making some type of flash play. He’s done a real good job of learning and having a clear understanding of the defense and playing with confidence. One thing you notice is his speed, his overall athleticism, and his feel of the game, knowing his way around the football field in different spots. Because he's also playing different spots as well, depending on the package and what we're doing.
On the importance of Kiko Mauigoa’s return: It’s his presence. He is an extension of the coaching staff. I’ve been messing with him calling him “Coach Kiko,” just because how involved he is with the guys in the classroom and then carrying that out here on the field. He's constantly communicating and coaching, giving little tips and reminders of what we should be doing on every given play. He's very involved mentally.
He's able to play a multitude of different positions. He affects the game in different ways. He had 7.5, 8 sacks last year. So not only is he a really good run stopper and a true middle linebacker, but he can also get after the quarterback when asked. I'm excited about what he brings to our football team.
On his relationship with Coach Guidry since earning the Co-DC title: It hasn't changed at all. I'm blessed and fortunate enough to work with Coach Guidry. Unbelievable leader, unbelievable man. He may not know, but I hang on every word he says. I’m like a sponge. Just learning, growing and trying to find a way to improve myself as a teacher, as a motivator, as a communicator, as a coach. Being underneath him has been a blessing.
On Coach Cristobal: What a great man. What a great leader. Everything he's instilled, culture, the buy-in, everybody's on the same page, on the same tune. When I get up in the morning, I can't wait to get here. It's like a race to get here. I'm thinking about the next meeting, the next practice. I'm excited about it. That's why I ain't got no voice right now. It starts from top down with Coach Cristobal and Coach G. I look forward to each and every day being around those men.
On the opportunities for the young linebackers: It's the next man up. We’ve had two young players (Pruitt and Hayes) come in here this spring. But you also get new roles and new opportunities for guys like Marcellus Pulliam and Popo and Bobby Washington. Bobby’s continuing to take steps, and he's continuing to grow. He didn't play a lot for us last year, but he's had a really good offseason so far.
On Wesley Bissainthe: He’s taken a huge step mentally. He's getting bigger. He's getting stronger. He's more explosive. He has a clear understanding of not only what he's doing, but what the 11 pieces on the puzzle are doing defensively, and he understands what the offense is trying to throw at him. Wesley has taken a jump. He's had a really good offseason. I'm really proud of his progression.
We got a long way to go, and he understands that. Where he also has taken a step is being a leader, and doing that by actions. Knowing that actions speak louder than words, and setting the example, and knowing there's a standard at linebacker here at the University of Miami.
