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Peter Sirmon: Most Pressing Issues for the New Defensive Coordinator

By Justin Strawn

Aug 30, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans coach Steve Sarkisian (left) and linebackers coach Peter Sirmon before the game against the Fresno State Bulldogs at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 30, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans coach Steve Sarkisian (left) and linebackers coach Peter Sirmon before the game against the Fresno State Bulldogs at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 30, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans coach Steve Sarkisian (left) and linebackers coach Peter Sirmon before the game against the Fresno State Bulldogs at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 30, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans coach Steve Sarkisian (left) and linebackers coach Peter Sirmon before the game against the Fresno State Bulldogs at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Peter Sirmon is the new Defensive Coordinator for the Mississippi State Bulldogs, and he has some work to do.

Dan Mullen has found the new leader for his defense. Peter Sirmon was the linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator for the USC Trojans. Many, myself included, thought Dan Mullen would take a candidate with coordinating experience from a Group of 5 school. Instead, Mullen opted to go for an up and coming position coach within a Power 5 school.

Sirmon played for the Oregon Ducks in the late 90’s and was drafted by the Tennessee Titans where he played seven seasons from 2000 through 2006. His coaching career has included stops at Central Washington, Oregon, Tennessee, Washington, and most recently USC.

Besides his responsibilities coordinating the defense, Peter Sirmon will also be the linebacksers coach, just like previous defensive coordinator Manny Diaz was. Sirmon is not expected to be the recruiting coordinator as well. That role will be assigned in the not too distant future.

The linebacking corps for USC was led by Outside Linebacker Su’a Cravens. Cravens led the team in tackles with 86 in 2015 and also had 15 tackles for loss on the season. The talented linebacker also led the Trojans in sacks with 5.5. It was a good year for Cravens, and he decided to leave USC and enter the NFL Draft a year early.

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Another standout performance by Sirmon’s linebackers was that of freshman Cameron Smith. Smith only played in 10 of the Trojans’ 14 games, but he still was second on the team in tackles with 789 and was tied for a team high three interceptions.

We know Peter Sirmon can coach. He’s developed the linebackers into a solid unit for the USC Trojans.

But what does he face in the immediate future and long termas the defensive coordinator for the Mississippi State Bulldogs? Here are the most pressing issues he faces as he takes on his role in Starkville.

Next: Replacing NFL Talent

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