New defensive coordinator and assistant head football coach Tim DeRuyter received his first standing ovation at Texas A&M on Saturday after being introduced to the 10,316 fans at the Aggie basketball game.
While he enjoyed the moment, he obviously is looking forward to much more across the street at Kyle Field on Saturdays.
"I've seen [the atmosphere at Kyle] on TV and I know you don't get quite the feel, but every time you see that it's impressive," DeRuyter said.
In his first official press conference as an Aggie, DeRuyter promised to deliver a style of defense that gets fans on their feet.
"We will be a multiple 3-4 defense that attempts to dictate the terms to an offense," DeRuyter said. "We are going to try and change tempos on a quarterback to where he should not feel comfortable in that pocket. If we get them in predictable down-and-distance situations, you've got a chance because of the structure of our defense to disguise defenses and disguise pressures to where we can force takeaways, and that is where we have been most successful the last five years or so."
DeRuyter has plenty of evidence to back his statement, with his 3-4 defense at Air Force ranking 11th in the nation overall and fifth against the pass, a category the Aggies have struggled in under the previous three defensive coordinators.
The Falcons, who held the top-ranked aerial attack of the Houston Cougars to more than 200 yards less than their average in a 47-20 Armed Forces Bowl victory, were known for making momentum-changing plays. They intercepted Houston six times and were seventh nationally with 20 on the season. In all they forced 34 turnovers, fifth in FBS.
The showing at the bowl in Fort Worth was sort of a dress rehearsal or first interview for DeRuyter.
"Obviously, Tim DeRuyter is someone we watched. We actually had someone go up and watch him in the bowl game, watch how he handled his defense," A&M head coach Mike Sherman said. "During that ballgame I thought it was an outstanding effort on the part of Air Force defeating Houston."
DeRuyter has plenty to do in his first month at A&M. He must hire a defensive line coach -- he said two candidates were interviewing Saturday -- get ready for the incoming recruiting class and start evaluating his personnel, which he admitted he didn't know much about two days after the official announcement of his hiring.
"I was very happy a week ago when I heard Von Miller was coming back," DeRuyter said of the nation's sack leader in 2009. "It's been a whirlwind with filling out forms in trying to get this year's class together, so I haven't had an in-depth look at our personnel yet other than talking to the coaches on staff still.
"Sometimes I think having an outside look at personnel gives you a different feel as opposed to the coaches that have just been coaching them. I like telling the players everyone has a new lease on life with the new eyes."
Eight of 11 starters return from last year's defense, which finished 105th in total defense and 66th in turnovers (22) during a 6-7 season.
DeRuyter has proven he can turn around a defense on a number of occasions, taking Ohio from 99th to 22nd in three years, Nevada from 79th to 48th in two and Air Force from 78th to 11th in three.
DeRuyter takes the place of Joe Kines, who was with Sherman the last two seasons.
"Joe has brought a lot to the table the last few years and I had asked him to give us three years, and then after the season was over with we sat down and discussed it and thought this was a better time for the transition as we move forward," Sherman said. "Joe has been on board with us and continues to be with this transition. He's been a valuable asset to me."
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