Technically you can say this, but neither has experience as a DC at a major college program. I doubt we would have hired these guys had they not been a part of the program already, so that is what most concerns me. But I have learned to have faith and patience with Les Miles.
If the injuries alone are what cause the defensive meltdown, then that's like saying that Pelini wasn't much of a DC at all. Many times, we knew what was coming, and still couldn't stop it (see: Woodson, McFadden, Schaffer).
That irritated me too, but those were good runners and Pelini may have had to compromise other parts of the defense if he were to try to lock down the potent running attacks we faced late in the season. I'm just guessing, but it seems like a possible argument.
