Tayler Polk Makes National Waves With Stellar Tulane Defense in Memphis Win
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When Tulane Green Wave head coach Will Hall was looking at who to hire on his coaching staff, his defensive coordinator hire in Tayler Polk was a popular choice, one that kept a lot of key leaders around on that side of the ball.
After a major conference win over the Memphis Tigers that saw his defense record seven sacks and six turnovers, he was rightly named as one of CBS Sports’ conference coordinators of the week.
The Tigers were touting one of the top offenses in terms of scoring and passing yardage in the American.
Much like they turned former UTSA Roadrunners quarterback Frank Harris back into a pumpkin in 2023, they rattled Memphis quarterback Marcus Stokes and completely stifled any chance of them coming back for a victory.
The impressive performance came just one week after his defense handily kept the Army Black Knights triple option in check – one that scored 56 points against top-of-the-conference FAU Owls over the week.
For that performance, they totally changed the defensive shell they run and put out a 4-3 front with linebacker Dalton Hughes primarily operating the “Spear” role in a totally different manner, sidelining spears TJ Smith and Kajuan Banks for the most part.
Smith was responsible for one of the three interceptions that he ran back for a pick-six in the Friday night victory.
It’s also a defense that has seen considerable injuries. For one, it’s missing top leader and playmaker Chris Rodgers at linebacker who got hurt against the South Alabama Jaguars.
Makai Williams and Dickson Agu have credibly covered up that loss, the unit that Polk is responsible for coaching in addition to the entire defense.
The defensive line was without d-tackle Ed Smith against Army, lost Kam Hamilton late in the game and was without Hamilton against Memphis.
The young guys Polk and his coaches have developed and coached up finally had their breakout campaign as a pass rush.
It was a risky hire elevating a 31-year-old who had no coordinator experience previously. But the players respond to him, and his scheme was masterful in shutting down the Tigers.
They now face a strong Roadrunners offense led by Owen McKown, but the confidence that was infused from that six-turnover victory should hopefully continue a spark on that side of the ball.
The best solution for an offense still finding its way is a shutdown defense, and Polk proved capable of coaching that in the landmark Week 7 win.
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