MOBILE, Ala. — South Alabama’s football program will use a 3-4 base defense, defensive coordinator Bill Clark said Wednesday during the noon broadcast of head coach Joey Jones’ radio show.
Clark, appearing as the coaching staff’s guest on the program, answered a caller’s question about the scheme the Jaguars plan to run when the program begins play in 2009.
Flexibility on Defense
Clark said the 3-4 will be South Alabama’s base alignment, but the Jaguars intend to be able to line up in a 4-3 front just as effectively. He emphasized flexibility, with the aim of showing opposing offenses a variety of looks.
A 3-4 defense uses three down linemen, typically two defensive ends and a nose tackle, behind which play four linebackers. The remaining four players are defensive backs, usually two cornerbacks and two safeties. The 4-3, which uses four down linemen and three linebackers, is common at the high school level.
Ticket Information Expected Soon
Ticket information and prices for the program’s first season are expected to be released within the next few weeks. Officials on the show said tickets will be priced to be affordable for fans throughout the area.
Building the Schedule
Athletic director Joe Gottfried is working on future football schedules. In addition to finalizing opponents for the 2009 and 2010 seasons, the department is working on schedules six, eight and as many as 10 years in the future as part of a long-term plan for the program.
Jones was hired as the first head coach in South Alabama football history and is building the program toward its first season.
