Slanting Monster

While athletic director and head football coach at Auburn, Pat Dye’s office was the size of most condos rented to families of four on Dauphin Island during a summertime vacation. If one had the privilege of visiting his office they would have seen a large walnut bookshelf lined with great works of literature. These books ranged from “The Shooter’s Bible” (a Sears-Roebuck sized magazine about shotguns and rifles), to a biography of Bear Bryant. One book in particular, however, was front and center. Its pages were frayed, many of them dog-eared, and there were notes scattered on and in it.

This great work of literature was written by Dale Foster. The 224 page hardback volume was published by Parker Publishing Company in 1970. The title of the book: “The Slanting Monster Defense in Football.” Pat Dye was a disciple.

Dye believed strongly in the slanting monster defense, and entrusted the strategy to arguably his most devoted assistant coach. The coach who had followed him from East Carolina, to Wyoming, and then to Auburn. Wayne Hall was also a devout follower of the slanting monster, and in 1988 had the tools to use it to perfection. By the end of the year, his defense would be ranked #1 in the country in total defense, scoring defense and run defense. Anchoring the defensive line was the great Tracy Rocker.

An example of how strong the defense was took place on October 22, 1988. Coach Dye had warned his team all week that though his Auburn Tigers were a heavy favorite, the Mississippi State Bulldogs were “a dangerous team”. This was especially so given the fact that during the week preceding the game with State, Tracy Rocker had headed the list of a dozen players nominated for the prestigious Lombardi Lineman of the Year Award. Media from all over the country had swarmed to Auburn that week to get more information about young Mr. Rocker. Wayne Hall, when interviewed, said, “There are really no number ones on our defensive, and that includes Tracy. We’ve got good players who help each other out and we have good kids who look out for each other. They all play sound, fundamental football.”

Auburn went on to shut out Mississippi State that Saturday by a score of 33-0. The nation’s number one defense picked off 5 passes that day, and only allowed 68 yards rushing. James Joseph, who was moved from halfback to fullback for the game, led the offense with 126 yards rushing and one touchdown.

Auburn visits Mississippi State on Saturday, and as coach Dye said twenty years ago, they are “a dangerous team”. We saw that last year, as Auburn virtually gave them the ballgame. But, if Coach Rhoads has the highly rated Auburn defense ready, and the offense can hold onto the ball without turning it over, Auburn should win. If that happens, the following game week should be one of high drama.

War Eagle!
WJLaneSr