TRENGTH
N NUMBERS
Though a move to the 3-4 defense is on the horizon, new
defensive coordinator Dave Aranda's philosophy is less about
formations and more about developing an 'attacking' mindset
BY MIKE LUCAS • UWBADGERS.COM
S
eated in his Camp Randall Stadium office, Dave Aranda is so good-natured,
even-keeled and mild-mannered ―
barely raising his voice ― you would
never guess that Wisconsin's first-year
defensive coordinator would have the temperament to coach on defense. But looks can be deceiving.
"My kids enjoy football, and they try to sit with
me and watch games (on television),'' said Aranda, identifying his two young daughters (ages 6
and 7) and 3-year-old son. "But when they go to
practice, they ask, 'Papa, what is that voice you're
using?' In football, you flip a switch automatically.''
Along with focusing on hitting all the right buttons with his players, the 36-year-old Aranda is
in the process of evaluating the returning personnel. As such, he has a vision for Wisconsin's
defense that calls for a heightened awareness to
takeaways and the potential for a new math with
the front seven.
Looks can be deceiving, and that's by design
on the line of scrimmage, whereby such numerical deception can lead to an edge. So whether
the Badgers are operating out of a 4-3 front, 3-4
look or a hybrid combination, Aranda will put an
emphasis on measurables: rips, strips, bats and
picks.
"We'll keep track of those things throughout
spring ball and fall camp,'' said Aranda, who
spent one season with Gary Andersen at Utah
State before joining him in Madison. "We want
someone who wants to get on the field and get off
the field. We want someone who wants to get the
ball out.''
If you're looking for a visual, a reference point,
maybe even a poster boy, for some of Aranda's
concepts on defense, it would be Chicago Bears
cornerback Charles (Peanut) Tillman, who has 36
forced fumbles and 33 interceptions to go along
with eight career defensive touchdowns.
On Nov. 4, Tillman forced four fumbles in a
rout of the Tennessee Titans. In the same game,
Brian Urlacher returned a pick for a score. Aranda's connection to Tillman and the Bears was
