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Indiana DC Chad Wilt speaks about working with defense, expectations at spring practice presser
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Indiana lost DC Charlton Warren on Jan. 8, but was quick to hire someone to fill his role on the team. New Hoosiers DC/LB coach Chad Wilt got hired no less than a week later, and spoke at a press conference on Thursday.
Wilt most recently spent the last 2 seasons at Minnesota as the DL coach. He has also been at Cincinnati, Army, Maryland, and Ball State in similar roles in recent years. He has coached the likes at Yannick Ngakoue, Quinton Jefferson, and Darius Kilgo while at Maryland to name a few NFL talents.
One of the 1st things that Wilt was asked about was about the difference between coaching LBs and the D-line. Under Wilt, the Terrapins allowed the 9th-fewest yards rushing per game with 100.2 per game. Indiana allowed 148 yards rushing per game in 2021.
Wilt was also asked about the depth chart situation, and what it’s going to be like replacing players like Micah McFadden. McFadden declared for the 2022 NFL Draft in December. He lead the team in total tackles (77) and sacks (6.5) last season.
Lastly, Wilt was asked about what it’s been like adding transfer such as Bradley Jennings and Jared Casey.
Here’s everything that Indiana’s next DC said at his presser:
Zoom presser with new IU DC Chad Wilt today. He was asked about coaching linebackers as opposed to DL as he always has. Says there are some difference, but there’s a lot of similarities in coaching the front seven.
— Dustin Dopirak (@DustinDopirak) March 24, 2022
Wilt: “I’ve never thought that I walk into a meeting room and it was a lecture and I was a dictator. I look at it as a conversation.”
— Dustin Dopirak (@DustinDopirak) March 24, 2022
Wilt talking about the value of the experience of adding Power 5 transfers Jared Casey and Bradley Jennings. Said they’ve come in humble and haven’t acted like they know everything, but have been willing to add to conversations.
— Dustin Dopirak (@DustinDopirak) March 24, 2022
Wilt asked about replacing McFadden. Talks at length about how great of a player he was. But says strength is in numbers on a defense, and it’s never about one guy on the defensive side of the ball.
— Dustin Dopirak (@DustinDopirak) March 24, 2022
Wilt said there’s not a depth chart right now, there’s an organizational chart, but they’re not trying to divide into the Mike (McFadden’s position last year) and Stinger (Cam Jones’ spot). Said they’re teaching concepts and teaching everyone everything.
— Dustin Dopirak (@DustinDopirak) March 24, 2022
Grant Bricker covers the B1G for Saturday Tradition. His previous stops include the Williamson Homepage and Nashville Post.