Jimbo Fisher evaluates DJ Durkin’s current job performance

Coming off a loss in which Texas A&M allowed 48 points, defensive coordinator DJ Durkin is in the spotlight. The Aggies won’t win many games giving up 48 points.

Texas A&M allowed 451 yards in the contest against Miami, of which 374 came in the air.

Asked about his defensive coordinator this week, head coach Jimbo Fisher seemed to defend him and stand by him.

“Good job right now. We played the run extremely well, played a great first game, gave up a couple deep ball passes and we’ve got to get a little more pressure,” Fisher said. “But DJ’s a very good coach who does a good job and knows what he’s doing.”

Durkin is in his second season as Texas A&M’s defensive coordinator, and he had a decent debut in Year 1. The Aggies ranked first in passing defense and 22nd in scoring defense, while checking in at No. 51 in total defense.

The real issue last year was Texas A&M’s run defense, which ranked 122nd. So far, the Aggies seem to have fixed that problem, but now it’s the secondary that is in question.

Through two games, Texas A&M ranks 29th against the run but just 98th against the pass. The scoring defense ranks near the bottom of the country at 100th, leaving DJ Durkin with work to do.

Texas A&M pass rush needs fixing

If there’s one thing that’s clear from Texas A&M’s first two games, it’s that the pass rush isn’t up to snuff. That’s making life difficult on the secondary.

But the problems are fixable to Fisher.

“It can be (fixed),” said Fisher. “Also from schemes, twists games, and rush games. Then, also, when young guys are transitioning from run to pass? What I mean is you’re in a run look, they give you a run look, and you realize it’s pass. And it’s transitioning to the edge of getting that rush? Yes, it can (be fixed). It can.

“It can be fixed, it can be done well. That’s experience, that’s coaching, and those guys recognition and then getting to that side.”

Through two games, Texas A&M only has four sacks on the season. That has helped New Mexico QB Dylan Hopkins and Miami QB Tyler Van Dyke to go 36-54 (66.7%) for 489 yards, five touchdowns that all came from Van Dyke, and one pick that came from Hopkins. It also means that 651 of the 862 yards that the Aggies have allowed (75.5%) have come through the air.

“We’ve got some guys that can rush the passer. We’ve got some interior guys that can rush the passer,” said Fisher. “(Miami) did a good job of sliding the protection and maximizing a slide and what we call a double-bump on the edge that were slowing it down. They got some one on ones. It does affect coverage.”

On3’s Sam Gillenwater also contributed to this report.

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