2012 Defensive Coordinators and Schemes

This article will be updated throughout the off-season and contains valuable information pertaining to NFL defensive schemes and coaching changes for the 2012 Season. When selecting an IDP, it is important to not only know what position he plays, but also the defensive scheme he plays in as well. For example, having a SLB in a 4-3 defense is typically not a favorable fantasy situation since they have to get through an extra blocker to get to the ball and consequently have lower tackle numbers.

Here are the current situations around the NFL:

BASE DEFENSES
4-3: CIN, TEN, NYG, PHI, SEA, ATL, DET, DEN, CLE, OAK, CAR, IND, CHI
*3-4: SD, PIT, DAL, GB, ARI, KC, HOU, SF, WAS
Multiple Front: BAL, NYJ, NO, BUF, NE
TBD: MIN, TB, MIA, JAX, STL

*1-gap/2-gap notations on the 3-4 teams are the favored front, most teams are using a lot of 1-gap now

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Note: Anything listed in RED is a change from the 2011 season.

AFC EAST
Team	Head Coach	Defensive Coordinator	Defensive Schemes
Buffalo Bills	Chan Gailey	Dave Wannstedt	4-3
Miami Dolphins	Joe Philbin	Kevin Coyle	?
New England Patriots	Bill Belichick	Matt Patricia	Multiple Front
New York Jets	Rex Ryan	Mike Pettine	Multiple Front

AFC NORTH
Team	Head Coach	Defensive Coordinator	Defensive Schemes
Baltimore Ravens	John Harbaugh	Dean Pees	Multiple Front
Cincinnati Bengals	Marvin Lewis	Mike Zimmer	4-3
Cleveland Browns	Pat Shurmur	Dick Jauron	4-3
Pittsburgh Steelers	Mike Tomlin	Dick LeBeau	3-4

AFC SOUTH
Team	Head Coach	Defensive Coordinator	Defensive Schemes
Houston Texans	Gary Kubiak	Wade Phillips	3-4
Indianapolis Colts	Chuck Pagano	Greg Manusky	3-4
Jacksonville Jaguars	Mike Mularkey	Mel Tucker	4-3
Tennessee Titans	Mike Munchak	Jerry Gray	4-3

AFC WEST
Team	Head Coach	Defensive Coordinator	Defensive Schemes
Denver Broncos	Jon Fox	Jack Del Rio	4-3
Kansas City Chiefs	Romeo Crennel	Romeo Crennel	3-4
Oakland Raiders	Dennis Allen	Jason Tarver	Multiple Front
San Diego Chargers	Norv Turner	John Pagano	3-4

NFC EAST
Team	Head Coach	Defensive Coordinator	Defensive Schemes
Dallas Cowboys	Jason Garrett	Rob Ryan	3-4
New York Giants	Tom Coughlin	Perry Fewell	4-3
Philadelphia Eagles	Andy Reid	Juan Castillo	4-3
Washington Redskins	Mike Shanahan	Jim Haslett	3-4

NFC NORTH
Team	Head Coach	Defensive Coordinator	Defensive Schemes
Chicago Bears	Lovie Smith	Rod Marinelli	4-3
Detroit Lions	Jim Schwartz	Gunther Cunningham	4-3
Green Bay Packers	Mike McCarthy	Dom Capers	3-4
Minnesota Vikings	Leslie Frazier	Alan Williams	4-3

NFC SOUTH
Team	Head Coach	Defensive Coordinator	Defensive Schemes
Atlanta Falcons	Mike Smith	Mike Nolan	4-3 (hybrid?)
Carolina Panthers	Ron Rivera	Sean McDermott	4-3
New Orleans Saints	Sean Payton	Steve Spagnuolo	4-3
Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Greg Schiano	Bill Sheridan	?

NFC WEST
Team	Head Coach	Defensive Coordinator	Defensive Schemes
Arizona Cardinals	Ken Whisenhunt	Ray Horton	3-4
St. Louis Rams	Jeff Fisher	Gregg Williams	4-3 (multiple?)
San Francisco 49ers	Jim Harbaugh	Vic Fangio	3-4
Seattle Seahawks	Pete Carroll	Gus Bradley	4-3

Source: Footballguys - IDP Forum

Last Updated: February 17, 2012

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