Patke, Simpson making impression on defense
CORAL GABLES — Last spring, Jess Simpson was a defensive assistant for the NFL’s Falcons, watching film, helping evaluate players and working with Atlanta’s defensive line.
Jonathan Patke, meanwhile, was already in Coral Gables. He was working as a quality control analyst for the Hurricanes, helping put together scouting reports for Miami’s defensive coaches, breaking down film and helping defensive coordinator Manny Diaz with the Hurricanes linebackers.
Fast forward a year and Simpson is Miami’s defensive line coach and Patke, the Hurricanes outside linebackers coach. Both have spent the better part of the past three weeks continuing to get to know their players and finding ways to put their own fingerprints on a Miami defense that is looking to continue building on last season’s success. So far, both say, so good. “Being at ‘The U’ with the D-line tradition and the players that have come out of here, the whole staff, the guys on the defensive side of the ball, Manny’s a great leader, great guys in the room, great culture, so we’re having a blast,” Simpson said. “Really, I felt like it didn’t take long to fit in. A bunch of humble, hardworking guys, low egos. Been a lot of fun so far.”
Said Patke, “It’s an unbelievable breakthrough. This is what you work for. I was four years as a graduate assistant, two as quality control. All you work for is that first opportunity and it’s an unbelievable opportunity to be here at Miami with coach [Mark] Richt and coach Diaz. I’m so blessed it happened here.”
While both coaches are adapting to new jobs, it may be Simpson’s job that, at least early on, has required a bit more adjustment, particularly since he joined the staff in March.
After replacing Craig Kuligowski, who took the defensive line coach job at Alabama, Simpson’s had to jump in feet first. He already knew his group — one of Miami’s strengths last season — lost veterans Chad Thomas, Trent Harris, RJ McIntosh and Kendrick Norton, as well as promising underclassman DJ Johnson, who transferred.
Through nearly four weeks of practice, though, he’s seen potential from the line, thanks in part to the consistent play of both tackle Gerald Willis and end Joe Jackson, among others.
“They’ve all got to get better, but I’ve been really impressed with some of the older guys. Looking forward to getting Demetrius Jackson back healthy,” Simpson said. “I’ve been really fired up about Joe Jackson and the way he’s responded to what we’re doing and how we’re playing. He’s playing really hard. … G-Willis, like Joe, has set a great example. I don’t think either one of those guys have had a bad day in 10 days. They come out here with intent, ready to practice, ready to work, ready to be a day better. And when you have old guys in your room that have that kind of approach to ball, it makes everything a lot easier.”
For Patke, one of the challenges of the spring has been working with Diaz to create a new position in Miami’s defense, one they are terming the “Striker.”
Former safeties Romeo Finley and Derrick Smith have been working with the linebackers group all spring and have filled that new role, along with sophomore De’Andre Wilder.
The hope for that new spot, Patke said, is that players can use their speed and physicality to make plays, especially with veteran strongside linebackers Charles Perry and Zach McCloud limited in the spring as they continue recovering from injuries.
“We’re asking [the strikers] to do a little bit more things than CJ and Zach have done in the past, playing a little more man,” Patke said. “With their athleticism out there, it kind of changes the dynamic of our defense, I think. … You can do more things with those guys out there.”