Aug. 20—The defensive line needed a change of management.
Improving in sacks, tackles for loss and pressures is crucial for the Idaho Vandals’ defense this upcoming season.
So Idaho coach Thomas Ford Jr. made the call. He let go of former defensive line coach Tevita Finau and hired a rather young coach, VJ Malo, to lead the defensive line.
Ford said that there was an “outstanding relationship” with Malo because Ford tried to recruit Malo to come play at Simon Fraser when he was the head coach there in 2018, and that the two kept in contact. Then he saw Malo go against Idaho last year as he coached the defensive ends at Portland State, a bright spot on that team.
“I just think we wanted someone that was going to really do a good job recruiting the Northwest,” Ford said about hiring Malo. “We wanted someone that was really hungry, and obviously coach Malo was a guy that we had competed against. … And when he got into coaching, (he) was always a guy that was kind of on my short list. But he was a no-brainer when we started interviewing. We interviewed I think four or five guys, but he was clearly the best guy.”
Malo also played defensive line at Portland State for two seasons in 2021-22. During the 2021 season, Malo set a Vikings’ FCS-level record for the most tackles for loss (20) and sacks (10.5).
Last year, Vandal linebackers had just one less sack than defensive linemen: defensive linemen had eight as a group and linebackers had seven.
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Matyus McLain was the only Vandal D-lineman to have more than one sack, with 4.5. He also led the team with tackles for loss with 13.5.
McLain has since transferred to Washington State and will suit up for the Cougs this season.
During fall camp, the Idaho defensive line has looked fresh and improved as a whole. Ford said that the unit has been very consistent.
Defensive coordinator Lee Stalker said that the defensive line has been disruptive.
“It’s been awesome. I think you see those three guys up front making a huge impact,” Stalker said. “Run, pass, first down, second, third down — (it) doesn’t matter. And the reality of the techniques and different nuances that we have up front with the defensive line, they’ve excelled.
“I think that (the defensive tackles and defensive ends) are playing as a unit. Not just individually, but impacting the game all across the field. We’ve got great talent, young and old, but it’s only made better because of the coaches in that room.”
Stalker and Ford mentioned multiple guys on the defensive line that have had good camps, including: fifth-year Mitch Jaskowiak, fifth-year Hikifo’Ou Maile, freshman Ocean Taufa, senior Freddy Lujan III, sophomore Ma’ake Apo, senior twins Jamarion and Javen Augustus, sophomore Mason Krahn and freshman Nui Meyers.
Stalker said that Malo has been an “incredible addition” to the coaching staff and that his passion for how he approaches the staff and his players is a factor in building that coach-player trust.
“From a relationship standpoint, long before we get on the field, there’s a huge, deep connection, and he cares for them as humans,” Stalker said of Malo. “You see the attention to detail when it comes to coaching. The specific details and techniques of what is the defensive tackle in our rooms. But honestly, for him, he’s willing to grow, willing to learn, wants to be the best coach there is in the country, and (I) can’t be more grateful to have him. I’ll be honest with you.”
Throughout fall camp, the D-linemen are getting simulated sacks on the quarterbacks often or just applying pressure to force a bad play from the offense.
Malo talked about the buy-in from the group.
“It’s these kids, man. They want it,” Malo said. “You give a steak to a pit bull, they’ll do whatever for you. You know what I mean? You show them love, you show them affection, and then you coach them hard. They’ll run through a wall for you.”
Malo said that the Nos. 1 and 2 units are basically set; the position battles that are going on in camp now are for depth pieces, deciding which young players will travel with the team.
“I think if you’re going to have a successful defense and play meaningful games in the end of December, your defensive line has got to make a huge impact and have competitive depth, and we have that here at Idaho,” Stalker said.
Stalker runs a multiple-style defense, with a base of 3-3-5 (three defensive linemen, three linebackers and five defensive backs), but at times the Vandals are in a 4-2-5 or even rush five players.
Learning the various techniques is important for a defensive lineman. Malo broke down how he teaches that technique and approach.
“Everything in the defensive line world comes from block destruction,” Malo said. “And I teach block destruction in three phases: your strike phase, your knockback phase, and your escape phase. So it doesn’t really matter what kind of block you get. They can either come at us, away from us, or to us. And maybe sometimes they go backwards.
“So it’s to get all the kids and get the defensive line to understand that it doesn’t matter who’s doing that, who’s blocking it. At the end of the day, we’ve got to have our strike, our knockback, and a bunch of penetration, then eventually escape and make tackles. And I feel like the kids have done a great job at just buying in, and I feel like it’s been paying (off) so far.”
Maile said last week that Malo is a “hell of a coach” and gets the defensive linemen in the right position to make plays. He gave credit to both Malo and Stalker for building a good plan for the D-line.
Malo said that an emphasis on attacking hard and causing issues for the opposing side will be a focal point for the rest of fall camp.
Malo also gave credit to Stalker for building an elite plan and allowing him to coach the D-line.
“Disruption. Disruption. I think good D-line play starts with disruption and havoc,” Malo said. “We don’t want any passive D-linemen. We’re not over here just putting hands on people and just taking up blocks. And coach Stalker, his defense, there’s an emphasis on defensive linemen making plays and causing disruption.”
Junt can be reached at 208-848-2258, tjunt@lmtribune.com or on X @TrevorJunt.
