The Florida State defense has been atrocious so far this season despite a 3-1 start, giving up 35 points a game —- last in the ACC —- and giving up over 200 yards of rushing per game. Defensive coordinator Charles Kelly has taken the brunt of the criticism for that despite it has been his players missing tackles and blowing assignments.
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Senior cornerback Marquez White came to the defense of his embattled coach Monday, several days after senior defensive end DeMarcus Walker said FSU's defensive struggles were not on Kelly. White put the blame on the defense and its players rather than the coach.
"A lot of people want to blame Coach Kelly, it's not him. Nobody is perfect, he's not perfect, he'd be the first to admit, but it's on us to make those plays. You go back on the film and see guys loafing or missing tackles or busting coverages, or letting guys run free. It's really on us to step up."
The Seminole defense is in the bottom half of the conference when it comes to total defense and passing yards as well so there are certainly some improvements that can be made next week against North Carolina and in the following weeks as well before a big matchup with Clemson on October 29.
Coach Jimbo Fisher said Monday that he has never considered relieving a coach in the middle of the season. He saw the dysfunction that making wholesale changes on a staff caused when he was at Auburn as a position coach in the 90s and has regularly expressed his loyalty and confidence in Kelly. Changing coordinators in the middle of the season would likely only exacerbate the problem and lead to an even worse defense. It's worth noting that the defense is missing a huge piece in safety Derwin James so that could help explain the bad secondary play.
[h/t 247Sports]
