College Football: Top 15 Defensive coordinators in 2015

Dec 7, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; (Editors note: Caption correction) Marshall Thundering Herd defensive coordinator Chuck Heater reacts against the Rice Owls during the first half at Rice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports

Yes, Marshall. You may not have heard a lot about their defense last season, but that’s because they were busy holding opponents to 21 points per game and taking care of business in Conference-USA.

While smacking heads in CUSA may not sound like a huge feat, Chuck Heater has a keen defensive mind and has helped to turn the Thundering Herd defense around in just two seasons. His previous successful coaching stops include Notre Dame, Colorado, Utah and most recently (prior to joining Marshall in 2013) Florida.

Heater knows defensive backs and coaches the secondary about as good as anyone in the country, and it shows in his work, as Marshall went from giving up 253 passing yards per game in 2012 (94th nationally) to only 196 in 2015 (24th nationally).

The Herd was right in the middle of the playoff chase coming out of the Group of Five teams last season, and they could push even harder in 2015.

Next: Brian VanGorder