Ruffin was the DC at Tech for the 2008-2009 seasons. Instead of using yards or points/game, lets look at the efficiency stats that account for pace of play, opponent, and throws out garbage time stats. I believe they are the truest grade for defense:
ESPN Defensive Efficiency:
2008 - 49th, 57.5
2009 - 30th, 66.7
OU last 3 seasons:
2016 - 43rd, 59.1
2017 - 58th, 52.3
2018 - 83rd, 44.8
S&P+ Defensive scoring efficiency:
2008 - 84th, 30.2 pts
2009 - 27th, 21.1 pts
OU last 3 seasons:
2016 - 55th, 27.9 pts
2017 - 101st, 32.2 pts
2018 - 69th, 29.6 pts
So 2008 was the only year that Ruffin had a defense that even approached anything Mike put out. His 2009 defense puts Mike's last 3 years to shame.
Is Ruffin the final answer? No. No one is asking him to be. But look at the stats, he simply isn't going to be worse than retaining Mike moving forward. He is a warm body in a seat until we fill it in December.
ESPN Defensive Efficiency:
2008 - 49th, 57.5
2009 - 30th, 66.7
OU last 3 seasons:
2016 - 43rd, 59.1
2017 - 58th, 52.3
2018 - 83rd, 44.8
S&P+ Defensive scoring efficiency:
2008 - 84th, 30.2 pts
2009 - 27th, 21.1 pts
OU last 3 seasons:
2016 - 55th, 27.9 pts
2017 - 101st, 32.2 pts
2018 - 69th, 29.6 pts
So 2008 was the only year that Ruffin had a defense that even approached anything Mike put out. His 2009 defense puts Mike's last 3 years to shame.
Is Ruffin the final answer? No. No one is asking him to be. But look at the stats, he simply isn't going to be worse than retaining Mike moving forward. He is a warm body in a seat until we fill it in December.
