Sonny Lubbick's Defense (89-92)

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1991 Sonny Lubick D was the best I've seen. I only remember the specifics of the bigger games on the schedule, but if you look at the entire schedule, *no one* scored meaningful points on that defense. We played a couple supposedly high-flying "West Coast" style offenses, too - I know everyone remembers the famous Klingler Houston game in the Orange Bowl, but we also played San Diego State, a team that was putting up some numbers in the WAC on offense. Both those teams combined only managed 22 points. Then of course there was Wide Right 1 against one of the better Bowden-coached FSU teams we've faced. Didn't matter, no one put up points.

I actually had a couple classes with Sonny's daughter at Gables High....I think she was only there for one year or so.

That unit actually gave up under ten points a game in 91. It was an incredibly well-coached unit on every level. They were incredibly good at getting off the field on 3rd downs. 'The Bermuda Triangle' was incredible, Lubick never event went to that much nickel or dime, he just kept Smith, Armstead and Barrow on the field at all times

And I still say Darryl Williams is the most underrated 'great' Miami player of all-time. Its a shame he's overshadowed by the likes of Reed, Taylor and Blades but he was a great free safety
 
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Wannstedt's D was really JJ-s D......
Where Lubbicks was Lubbicks....

What I liked about Sonny was that he just didn't stick to the 4-3 base all the time, I remember him using a bit of the 'Bear/46 front' at times and with Jimmy Johnson's recruits it was a monster back then. He blitzed a bit more than the previous defensive staff

Lubick was a very good coach, once he left and the first members of Erickson's staff started getting picked off for other jobs, the overall quality of our coaching staff suffered in my view the last couple years of his run at Miami
 
I believe Jim Tressel was also offered the job, and he turned us down as well. Was at Youngstown St at the time.

No, that I didn’t know. Had no idea Tressel was in the running.

BTW, I found an old archived article.

Lubbick was definitely in the running for the job, in fact he was considered the favorite to get the job, until he withdrew his name.

So he definitely rejected Miami. People might like his defense, and correctly so, but guess what? Fūck Lubbick. I guess he was too good for Miami.
 
What I liked about Sonny was that he just didn't stick to the 4-3 base all the time, I remember him using a bit of the 'Bear/46 front' at times and with Jimmy Johnson's recruits it was a monster back then. He blitzed a bit more than the previous defensive staff

Lubick was a very good coach, once he left and the first members of Erickson's staff started getting picked off for other jobs, the overall quality of our coaching staff suffered in my view the last couple years of his run at Miami
Exactly....He tweaked JJs Defense....and it was even Nastier....
 
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