In the Colorado Buffaloes’ first press conference of fall camp, new defensive coordinator Chris Marve took to the stand and gave updates on his defense. Now that he’s fully comfortable in his new role, he opened up on his process. He explained how he’s gone about implementing his system and becoming a leader for his new team.In addition, he gave insights into the development of some of Colorado’s key players, including cornerback Cree Thomas and linebacker Gideon ESPN Lampron.What Chris Marve said:MSU defensive run game coordinator Chris Marve speaks to reporters at Media Day on Saturday, August 10, 2019 at the Leo Seal Complex. Photo by Keith Warren
Msu Football Media Day | USA TODAY Network via Reuters ConnectOn former NFL linebacker Xavier Adibi joining the staffSept 13, 2009; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans linebacker Xavier Adibi (52) reacts after a tackle against the New York Jets in the second quarter at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect“Yeah, [Adibi] is a phenomenal human and phenomenal coach, elite teacher,” Marve said. “We bonded pretty quickly when we started working together at a different institution, you know, and a year ago, when I was not in coaching, we kept in really strong contact, and all he's done is be successful in everything he's done. So, you know, there was an opportunity to bring him on. It was a no-brainer for me.”On what he’s seen in the Colorado Buffaloes’ first two fall camp practices“Yeah, so certainly growth between practice one and practice two,” Marve said. “I haven't had a chance to evaluate the tape. You know, we have an adage in coaching: it's never as good as you think, or it's never as bad as you think. Until you watch the tape, then you get a sense of reality. So you know, I think they're communicating really well. They're playing together. You know, we preach a lot about violence and aggression, relentless effort. I think that's been pretty visible. So, I think the pads come on tomorrow, so now we can play some real football.”On what having 2025 off did for him“I could write a book about that. I plan to one day, actually,” Marve said. “But what I will say is that, in a nutshell, if I can encapsulate it, a lot of things that I fundamentally believe as a football coach were reinforced, and some things that are innovative or cutting edge I had access to, that you typically don't when you work at an institution and you have a logo on your chest. You may be friends with these colleagues or peers in your profession, but because you're at a particular institution, they can't let you behind the walls. I had access to pretty much anywhere I wanted to go, and so I got to really be in the rooms for some innovative coaching and teaching and leading. But also, I really was able to reinforce some things that I fundamentally believe.”On implementing his scheme“Yeah, so I'm a former educator, right? And you know, when I was teaching, they taught us this framework of lesson planning in terms of backwards planning,” Marve said. “Where do you want to end up, right? And so then you take the incremental steps backwards to figure out what the boxes are that you need to check, and what are the boxes that you don't even realize that are there yet that you need to check, right? And so we did that.""So there's been a tremendous amount of assessment and evaluation post spring ball, and in terms of what we did in April and May, I didn't go on the road. I went out for one day, excuse me, but the majority of the time, I was there with a bunch of our staff evaluating, asking the questions as it relates to why are we doing this, how are we teaching this, is this the best way, not just because I've done it before or we have taping examples of it, but does it suit the personnel that we have to help us deploy the most effective defense?” “Because our mission is winning here, right?” Marve said. “And our role in that is to deploy the most effective defense that allows us to reach that mission and accomplish that mission. So it's not about what I've done in the past. It's about what our players can do and what we can get taught and go do it at a high level consistently. I love that part of my job. I love it.”On how valuable his summer evaluations were“Yeah, I think the time even before summer, I'll talk April after the spring game, in May, was not foundational, but it was very important for us as a defensive staff,” Marve said. “What it allowed was it gave us the time to mesh and figure out how to work with each other and our working styles, the way that I lead, and the way that I communicate, and the way that my colleagues lead and communicate as well, right? And how we want to improve as teachers and as leaders and communicators to effectively allow our players to go be successful, right? So that time was invaluable.”On if the Colorado Buffaloes are ahead of the curveFSU linebackers coach Chris Marve at the FSU National Signing Day Party on Feb. 5, 2020.
