Editing Defensive coordinator

{{short description|Coach responsible for the defense on a gridiron football team}}
[[File:NY Football Giants Training Camp (28194413913) (cropped).jpg|thumb|[[Steve Spagnuolo]] has won four [[Super Bowl|Super Bowls]] as a defensive coordinator in the [[National Football League]] (NFL).]]

A '''defensive coordinator''' ('''DC''') is a [[Coach (sport)|coach]] responsible for a [[gridiron football]] team's [[Defense (American football)|defense]]. Generally, the defensive coordinator, [[offensive coordinator]] and [[special teams coordinator]] represent the second level of a team's coaching structure, with the [[head coach]] being the first level. 

The primary role of the defensive coordinator is managing the roster of defensive players, overseeing the assistant coaches, developing the [[American football strategy#Defensive strategy|defensive game plan]], and [[play calling|calling plays]] for the defense during the game (though some defensive-minded head coaches may hold play-calling duties instead). Several [[Position coach|position coaches]] work under the defensive coordinator, including [[defensive line]], [[linebacker]], and [[defensive back]] coaches.<ref name="dummies">"[http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/the-coaching-staff-in-american-football.html The Coaching Staff in American Football]," Dummies.com.  Retrieved: 6 October 2014.</ref>

While the job of a defensive coordinator is largely similar at the collegiate and professional level, college coaches are more involved in the [[recruiting (college athletics)|recruitment]] process. A successful defensive coordinator is often a stepping stone to the position of head coach.

Other major sports with strong delineation between offensive and defensive positions use similar coaching positions. For example, [[Phil Housley]] is a defensive coordinator in the [[National Hockey League]], working for the [[Nashville Predators]] from 2013 to 2017,<ref>{{cite web|last1=Bove|first1=Matt|title=Bove: Housley – the perfect fit for the Sabres|url=http://www.wkbw.com/sports/sabres/bove-housley-the-perfect-fit-for-the-sabres|website=WKBW|access-date=June 15, 2017|date=June 15, 2017}}</ref> the [[Arizona Coyotes]] from 2019 to 2022,<ref>[http://www.buffalohockeybeat.com/phil-housley-happy-for-sabres-success-doesnt-want-to-dwell-on-past/ Phil Housley happy for Sabres’ success, doesn’t want to dwell on past]</ref> and currently the [[New York Rangers]] since 2023.

==See also==
* [[List of current NFL defensive coordinators]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==

* {{cite web|last1=Brooks|first1=Bucky|title=Wade Phillips, Vic Fangio among top 10 defensive coordinators|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/wade-phillips-vic-fangio-among-top-10-defensive-coordinators-0ap3000000498479|work=NFL.com|access-date=3 August 2017}}
* {{cite web|last1=Kenyon|first1=David|title=10 Best Defensive Coordinators in College Football|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2649110-10-best-defensive-coordinators-in-college-football|work=bleacherreport.com|access-date=3 August 2017}}
* {{cite web|last1=Collins|first1=Geoff|title=Interview with Geoff Collins/Co-Defensive Coordinator Mississippi State|url=http://www.jobshadow.com/interview-with-geoff-collinsco-defensive-coordinator-mississippi-state/|website=www.jobshadow.com|date=4 August 2011|access-date=3 August 2017}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:American football occupations]]
[[Category:Coaches of American football]]
[[Category:NFL defensive coordinators]]


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