With Ron Collins taking over as defensive coordinator for the retiring Jimmy Burrow, what changes will we see? He has a background as a defensive coordinator. He was the defensive coordinator for four years at Boise State (2002-5), and from 2006-2010 at Colorado, and before that, at Washington University. He's not stepping into something he hasn't done before.

On the one hand, he has spent 7 years working with Burrow. On the other hand, he no doubt has some ideas of his own, from his prior experience. What changes will we see this Fall? Will he be more aggressive calling blitzes and stunts, or less aggressive? Will they continue the Cover-4 and attack-and-react philosophy of recent years, or move back to the Cover-2 and read-and-react philosophy that is more conventional, and using the Cover-4 more selectively?

One thing I know is that a good defense will be a key to Ohio winning a MACC this year. The offense lost a lot of good players, and will probably not be as good as the last couple years, but it will still be good. If the defense steps up and has a great year, Ohio will win the MACC. If they are 109th best defense in the country, as Connelly projects, I doubt the offense can carry them to a MACC via MACation.

I would guess that Ohio's Defense won't be the 109 best in the country. The back seven will be good and the front four isn't chopped liver. The defense came on strong the last few games of the 2018 season.

An interview with Collins from a couple years ago.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGOSW-55eU0

I had no idea he was DC at Boise State for 4 years. Impressive. Those rankings you might as well throw in the waste basket because they don't go into the G5 with much depth. In MAC play the big play defense that we didn't have for a while was back forcing a ton of turnovers. That's on the coaching staff. Regardless of the experience chart there is no reason to think they can't deliver in 2019.

He actually comes into the position with better credentials than Burrow had when he took the DC position. The fact that he has been on staff for several years is a strong asset as well.
I am not sure how Solich keeps these guys on staff knowing they could be earning more at other places.
It has something to do with coaching stability and not having to move around the country every few years. Quality of life.
Collins probably has Head Coach credentials if he chose to go that route.