[msqueri]

I'll take your analysis.  I feel bad for April, but the results seem to show no substantial drop-off.  Whether Thompson's status as primary-DC-in-practice was Reich's idea or whether that was a TT decision that didn't get overturned is of interest since they're both listed as co-DCs.

Bobby April inherited a Stanford defense that had a miserable five year median of #84 and attrition and the portal weren’t doing him any favors when he came in. In April’s first year the defense was #115 and in his second year it was #90. Now this year, with the big caveat that we are only a quarter of the way through, it’s #62. SP+ shows an inherited three year median of #103, first year under April of #116, second year of #112, and quarter of the way through 2025 currently #82. Not as bullish on the defense but the arc of improvement applies to both of these fairly sophisticated measures.

It’s a longer conversation on the merits of bringing Thompson on, the current power-sharing, whether we should consider keeping some or all of the defensive staff, etc. but I just wanted to share that yes, the data does show that the defense has been on an upward trajectory.

[msqueri]

I'll take your analysis.  I feel bad for April, but the results seem to show no substantial drop-off.  Whether Thompson's status as primary-DC-in-practice was Reich's idea or whether that was a TT decision that didn't get overturned is of interest since they're both listed as co-DCs.

Bobby April inherited a Stanford defense that had a miserable five year median of #84 and attrition and the portal weren’t doing him any favors when he came in. In April’s first year the defense was #115 and in his second year it was #90. Now this year, with the big caveat that we are only a quarter of the way through, it’s #62. SP+ shows an inherited three year median of #103, first year under April of #116, second year of #112, and quarter of the way through 2025 currently #82. Not as bullish on the defense but the arc of improvement applies to both of these fairly sophisticated measures.

It’s a longer conversation on the merits of bringing Thompson on, the current power-sharing, whether we should consider keeping some or all of the defensive staff, etc. but I just wanted to share that yes, the data does show that the defense has been on an upward trajectory.