A&M taps South Florida's Snyder for DC

  • By ROBERT CESSNA

  • Posted: Tuesday, January 10, 2012 7:00 a.m.
  • Text size: A A A


South Florida defensive coordinator Mark Snyder has been hired by Texas A&M head coach Kevin Sumlin, according to Gigem247.com, The Eagle's Internet partner.


The 47-year-old Snyder, who has head coaching experience and spent four seasons as an assistant at Ohio State, just completed his second season with the Bulls. South Florida was 39th in total defense, allowing 351.3 yards per game. That included 15th in rushing defense (107.3 ypg) and 84th in pass defense (244 ypg). South Florida was 37th in scoring defense (22.7 ppg). Snyder also coached the linebackers at South Florida, which was 5-7, including 1-6 in the Big East.


Last season, South Florida was 17th in total defense (317.9 ypg), 22nd in scoring defense (20.0 ppg) and 22nd in rushing defense (125.6 ypg).


"Mark Snyder sticks with a 4-3 over/under scheme and uses a lot of multiple looks, mixing blitzes, both in man-to-man coverages and zone," said Bulls247.com beat writer Corey Dowlar. "He is a linebackers coach by trade, and USF has had some pretty good ones over the last two years."


A&M used a 3-4 defensive alignment the last two seasons under defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter, who was hired as Fresno State's head football coach last month.


Before USF, Snyder was the head coach at his alma mater, Marshall, for the five seasons, going 22-37.


"Snyder is a front-seven guy, first and foremost," said 247's Jamie Oakes, who covers Marshall. "His background as an assistant in coaching linebackers and defensive ends shined in the development of his defenses at Ohio State and South Florida, as well as when he was head coach at Marshall.


"Snyder's play-calling as a defensive coordinator reflects that core position-group focus. He likes to play aggressive on the line with stunting and intricate pass-rush schemes, while bolstering the pressure with varying blitz packages from across the defense."


Snyder was an assistant coach under Jim Tressel at Ohio State for four seasons, including defensive coordinator the last season, 2002.


"Mark was a quality assistant at Ohio State," said 247's Steve Helwagen who covers Ohio State. "After [Mark] Dantonio left for Cincinnati, Tressel made [Snyder] the defensive coordinator. That season Ohio State had a young team and only finished 8-4, but it wasn't because of the defense -- the Buckeyes still finished in the Top 25 in points defense.


"He was a good recruiter and a great guy, nobody really has anything bad to say about him."


Snyder has also coached at Minnesota, Central Florida and Youngstown State.


Other assistants Sumlin has reportedly hired include Stanford special teams and recruiting coordinator Brian Polian, Houston running backs coach Clarence McKinney, UH co-offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, UH offensive line coach B.J. Anderson, former Kansas co-offensive coordinator/receivers coach David Beaty, and current A&M defensive line coach Terrell Williams.


A&M is expected to confirm all of Sumlin's hires when he has completed his staff.