Huskies Switch to New Look on Defense - Spokane, North Idaho News & Weather KHQ.com

Washington Huskies Football

Huskies Switch to New Look on Defense

Updated:
by Jared Frank, KHQ.com/SWXRightNow.com - email
Josh Shirley is learning a slightly new position with new defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox. Josh Shirley is learning a slightly new position with new defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox.
SEATTLE -

While the Huskies have done much to tweak their offense during the offseason, including adding a new offensive coordinator, the defensive front is also in need of a tuneup.

Washington was embarrassed in a bowl loss to Baylor last season. They have since turned the defense over to new coordinator Justin Wilcox. And with the change on the headset also comes a change in the lineup.

The biggest change includes pass rusher Josh Shirley, who will now be a standup defensive end flanking the three downlinemen. Not quite a defensive lineman, but not a linebacker, either.

"[Shirley] has a good skill set but we also don't want to take away what he does best by having him become a linebacker, per se," said Wilcox. "It's definitely kind of a hybrid spot but he is with the D-line in meetings and we're excited about his potential at that spot."

Head coach Steve Sarkisian said the move to more of a 3-4 look better suits the kind of players he has on the defensive side of the football – especially against the spread offenses of the Pac-12.

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