By
Maxx Wolfson
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Editor's Note: In the final installment of a three-part series, newly hired defensive coordinator Larry Mac Duff met with the Arizona Daily Wildcat after the first day of spring practice.
Mac Duff, 52, who coached special teams for the NFL's New York Giants the past four seasons, discussed his reasoning for leaving a Super Bowl team to take on a more challenging position at the college level.
Mac Duff was the defensive coordinator for the Wildcats from 1987-96 and was credited with helping create the double-eagle flex defense, a trademark of Arizona football for the past 15 years.
WILDCAT: How was the first day of spring practice?
MAC DUFF: I think it was a good start. The enthusiasm was good. I think the guys worked hard and they tried. I think they did a lot of things that they have done in the past, so that allows them an opportunity to do things a little faster and more aggressively because they have some familiarity on what they are doing. I think all in all it was a good start.
WILDCAT: Will there be any differences to the defense that you will run?
MAC DUFF: We will add some different twists to it, but the foundation will be the same. So during practice (Saturday), it was the same defense that they have been used to.
WILDCAT: From what you have seen or talked to the players about, how happy are they about keeping the defensive scheme intact?
MAC DUFF: They may not be too happy after I yelled at them a bunch today. I think there is sure a learning curve if you have to change defenses again, and today when we were getting in the huddle and called the defense, a lot of guys already knew what to do. We believe in it. The coaching staff believes in it, and hopefully the players believe in it too. I think they do. It gives us a good chance to have success if we all believe in it and have the ability to execute it.
WILDCAT: How has it been working with Coach Mackovic so far?
MAC DUFF: It's been going good. I wouldn't have come here if I didn't have a high level of respect for him. I did a huge amount of research and I am sure he did (research) on me, too. We really didn't know each other than through mutual respect and competing against each other. I have found him to be very well organized, very positive, and he has a clear idea on what he wants.
WILDCAT: You left a team that was in the Super Bowl last season to coach a team that you left five years ago. Why?
MAC DUFF: You know what? I love college football. Professional football is challenging and there are a lot of positives about it, but I like college football. I like working with student-athletes and getting involved with their growth and possibly encouraging them the way some coaches did to me when I was growing up. College game day is a special experience. It's neat, it's a lot of fun and I like a lot of things about this community and about this university. The main thing is the people involved here. I have a great affection for the people here and the people in Tucson, and I'm glad to be back.
WILDCAT: Can a player stand out during spring practice?
MAC DUFF: (They can't) at one practice, but the best players are going to play, whoever they are. It doesn't matter what their background is. It doesn't matter if they played last year or not. We're looking for guys who will line up and do it right and do it with enthusiasm and aggressively and help us win. It could be that just because a senior has had more (repetitions) that a freshman couldn't come in and play. The seniors and the upperclassmen will get the first opportunities, and from then on it will all be based on performance. They will make the decision for us as far as who will be able to play because they will say something in the way they perform as to "hey, we will need him on the field."
