The Wolfpacker

July 2019

The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports

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82 ■ THE WOLFPACKER SAFETIES BUILDING DEPTH First-Year Position Coach Tony Gibson Inherits A Deep Group BY MATT CARTER S afeties coach and co-defensive coordinator Tony Gibson has only been at NC State a few months, but after going through spring drills and studying the past year he is already con- fident about one thing. "I think we have more depth here than we've ever had from my understanding," Gibson said. "Obviously I wasn't here, but we've got a lot of guys that have played a lot of football." Gibson hit the film room when he arrived in Raleigh fresh off a six-year stint coaching various defensive positions at West Virginia, including coordinating its defense for the past five seasons. He wanted to get a good idea of what he was walking into, and he also wanted to provide some fresh feedback to his new players. That included areas for improvement that were the focal point of the spring. "I think that the biggest thing we need to keep improving on is our man technique and have confidence when we go play it," Gibson said. "Not to give up that 10-yard route because you are afraid to get burnt." Gibson has experience coaching the entire secondary during his first stop at West Virginia (2001-07), his stint at Michigan (2008-10) and his one season at Pittsburgh in 2011. His expe- rience tells him that interchangeability among defensive backs is important. Thus he's not big on titles like free safeties or strong safeties, or even corners and nickels. "We have corners and we have safeties, but ultimately our goal is to get the best five guys on the field," Gibson explained. "That's kind of what we worked through in the spring. "Obviously summer and fall camp is going to tell the tale on who gets the nod at those spots." One safe bet is that there is a role for fifth-year se- nior Jarius More- head, who will be entering his third season as a starter. His 26 ca- reer starts are the most among re- turnees in 2019. He won the De- wayne Washing- ton Award for the YEAR-BY-YEAR INTERCEPTION TOTALS Year Int. Return Yards 2018 10 113 2017 14 202 2016 10 130 2015 13 77 2014 10 159 2013 12 146 2012 16 192 2011 27 381 2010 9 164 2009 8 65 "I think we have more depth here than we've ever had from my understanding. Obviously I wasn't here, but we've got a lot of guys that have played a lot of football." ■ Gibson on his safety group Senior Jarius Morehead has started 24 straight games for NC State, the longest active streak on the squad, and won the team's Dewayne Wash- ington Award as its best defensive back in 2018. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN

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