Texas A&M DC D.J. Durkin deserves credit for the Aggies’ defensive dominance in 2023
Second-year Texas A&M defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin, a man who needs no introduction for most, quickly became the villain for the fan base after the Aggies’ 48-33 Week 2 loss to Miami. This game saw the Hurricanes quarterback pass for 374 yards and five touchdowns against what looked to be a porus A&M secondary.
I’ll admit, as someone who has covered the program for quite some time, I initially joined the vocal denouncement of Durkin not only because of the struggles in pass coverage but the blatant lack of pass rush or pressure of any kind among on the most talented defensive lines in the country if recruiting grades meant anything.
Well, credit to head coach Jimbo Fisher for sticking with his guy just days after the debacle because ever since that trip to the Sunshine State, Texas A&M’s defense under Durkin’s tutelage has been on an absolute tear.
“D.J. (Durkin) is a very good coach that does a good job and knows what he’s doing.”
Yes, sitting at 4-3 and 2-2 in the SEC is not ideal, especially for Fisher’s future, but you can’t blame Durkin or the defense, currently ranked 10th overall while leading the country in sacks with 29 through the Aggies Week 8 bye week. A criticism in 2022, Durkin’s lack of consistent four-man defensive fronts placed the Aggies at a constant disadvantage compared to the amount of blue-chip talent who can beat their man-on-one.
With a year of added experience mixed with Durkin’s new scheme, sophomore DL Walter Nolen has lived up to his lofty expectations, currently 5th on the team in tackles (26) and second in sacks with 6, as he has thrived in run defense while utilizing leverage as a much-improved pass rusher.
The Aggies secondary has continued to have its up-and-down games, but currently ranked 13th in passing yards allowed, this group limited Tennessee quarterback Joe Milton to just 100 yards and an interception through the air last week. Progress!
Furthermore, Durkin’s additional duties include being the linebacker coach, a position he has made a career out of for the past 20-plus years.
Coming into the season, Texas A&M’s linebacker depth outside of star junior Edgerrin Cooper was problematic, as freshman LB Taurean York would likely need time to develop. Well, fast forward to mid-October, as Cooper, who has played like the best linebacker in the country, leads the team in tackles (45) and sacks (6), while York’s fall camp buzz based on his advanced maturity and intelligence has come to fruition as the starting MIKE LB, calling nearly every defensive play, and second on the team in tackles with 41.
Credit to GigEm247’s Carter Karels for noting how elite A&M’s defense has been historically this season, as the Aggies have only allowed 277.9 yards per game, their lowest average since 1995 (257.7). Also, A&M’s sack record stands at 56 during the 1991 season, so with 29 through seven games in 2023, they’ll need 29 more to break the record, which is very doable based on their consistent production, even in their last two losses.
While Texas A&M’s offense has plenty of issues to iron out this week, It’s time to give credit is due: D.J. Durkin has done one heck of a job.
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