Five Questions with Scottie Hazelton
8/21/2025 7:42:00 AM | Football
“Your habits are your habits. So trying to create those habits and traits, and getting guys to use their training.” - Scottie Hazelton
Wake Forest Football season is upon us, as the Demon Deacons take the field at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. against Kennesaw State to open the exciting 2025 campaign.
New Wake Forest defensive coordinator Scottie Hazelton, who joined the staff after successful stops at Kansas State, Michigan State and Texas, spoke with Deacon Sports Xtra for a Five Questions feature toward the end of spring camp to discuss the progress they made during the 15 spring camp practices.
One of the things Nick Andersen has said was that they're starting to understand more about the defense and are actually able to play instinctually and just play ball. Do you feel like everybody's catching on to what you're trying to get them to do?
Hazelton: "Yeah, it takes a while. No matter what kind of system you put in, it's like phases. The first part of spring before we got to the first scrimmage is really like, 'Hey, what are we trying to do?' And right now, what's cool is you can put on tape and know what the call is—because they're all doing what they're supposed to. Now, how to do it well? That's what we're getting into. We've been trying to teach that all along, but it doesn't always stick. Your habits are your habits. So trying to create those habits and traits, and getting guys to use their training—that's really this next phase. And then when we get into summertime and fall camp, we can redo it again. Then we start looking at what the offense is telling us—what are the things you can use for cheats? Especially good football players—they notice things anyway, but you help 'em along. If they know what to do and how to do it, they'll play real fast."
You have a lot of returning experience in the linebacker room. Is that a double-edged sword in terms of having to unteach some things?
Hazelton: "Yeah, I don't think so. With experienced guys—even in the NFL—you just have to learn how to use your language and reteach. 'Okay, this is what we called this here before—now we call it this.' That way, you can start to communicate. And because they have that experience, they have something to lean on. You try to say, 'It's almost like this,' or, 'It's this, but we're tweaking this part.' So that stuff helps them, and it really helps them get where you're going faster."
Coach Dickert mentioned that he was told the secondary was a big area for improvement, but they've been playing pretty well so far. How has that progressed, and do you think that's a reflection of the impact you guys have made as a staff?
Hazelton: "Yeah, I don't know. There are some really good players back there. You've got Ru (Rushaun Tongue), and Von (Davaughn Patterson) and of course Nando (Nick Andersen)—he's the guy coming back. Those guys do a great job running the room. It's always a good sign when the secondary is playing well—it usually means your D-line is playing well too. It all works hand in hand. You can't get a rush, then you can't cover well. But if you get a rush, your coverage looks great. So it's a combination, and they're working really well together right now."
But for you, nobody's really a returner?
Hazelton: "Right, that's right. And that's great. The good news for the guys is that different coaches see players through different lenses. Our impression is to just go out there and let them play. As they play, we figure out who they are and what roles they can have. It's like a reset—for both sides. Guys who maybe were told they'd never be something, well, we just see who they are. Let's see what they can do and where they can play. It makes it easier for them and for us. Everyone gets a fresh start. Just put it on tape and we'll play you. That's how it works."
How would you best describe your defensive philosophy to Wake Forest fans who haven't yet seen a Scottie Hazelton team in action?
Hazelton: "Sure. I mean, our base is a 4-3. We're a 4-3 team. We have to end up playing a lot of nickel because of all the 11 personnel stuff. We just rally to the ball. The basics are: you play Cover 1, Cover 2, Cover 3, mix in a little quarters, and add pressure. First and second down—it's kind of boring. It's really about getting somebody off schedule so you can make a play. Then when you get them to third down, that's where the fun comes in. If you can get them off schedule and into third, you can disguise pressure, bring it from different places. That's where the players have fun, and that's what they're starting to embrace."
New Wake Forest defensive coordinator Scottie Hazelton, who joined the staff after successful stops at Kansas State, Michigan State and Texas, spoke with Deacon Sports Xtra for a Five Questions feature toward the end of spring camp to discuss the progress they made during the 15 spring camp practices.
One of the things Nick Andersen has said was that they're starting to understand more about the defense and are actually able to play instinctually and just play ball. Do you feel like everybody's catching on to what you're trying to get them to do?
Hazelton: "Yeah, it takes a while. No matter what kind of system you put in, it's like phases. The first part of spring before we got to the first scrimmage is really like, 'Hey, what are we trying to do?' And right now, what's cool is you can put on tape and know what the call is—because they're all doing what they're supposed to. Now, how to do it well? That's what we're getting into. We've been trying to teach that all along, but it doesn't always stick. Your habits are your habits. So trying to create those habits and traits, and getting guys to use their training—that's really this next phase. And then when we get into summertime and fall camp, we can redo it again. Then we start looking at what the offense is telling us—what are the things you can use for cheats? Especially good football players—they notice things anyway, but you help 'em along. If they know what to do and how to do it, they'll play real fast."
You have a lot of returning experience in the linebacker room. Is that a double-edged sword in terms of having to unteach some things?
Hazelton: "Yeah, I don't think so. With experienced guys—even in the NFL—you just have to learn how to use your language and reteach. 'Okay, this is what we called this here before—now we call it this.' That way, you can start to communicate. And because they have that experience, they have something to lean on. You try to say, 'It's almost like this,' or, 'It's this, but we're tweaking this part.' So that stuff helps them, and it really helps them get where you're going faster."
Coach Dickert mentioned that he was told the secondary was a big area for improvement, but they've been playing pretty well so far. How has that progressed, and do you think that's a reflection of the impact you guys have made as a staff?
Hazelton: "Yeah, I don't know. There are some really good players back there. You've got Ru (Rushaun Tongue), and Von (Davaughn Patterson) and of course Nando (Nick Andersen)—he's the guy coming back. Those guys do a great job running the room. It's always a good sign when the secondary is playing well—it usually means your D-line is playing well too. It all works hand in hand. You can't get a rush, then you can't cover well. But if you get a rush, your coverage looks great. So it's a combination, and they're working really well together right now."
But for you, nobody's really a returner?
Hazelton: "Right, that's right. And that's great. The good news for the guys is that different coaches see players through different lenses. Our impression is to just go out there and let them play. As they play, we figure out who they are and what roles they can have. It's like a reset—for both sides. Guys who maybe were told they'd never be something, well, we just see who they are. Let's see what they can do and where they can play. It makes it easier for them and for us. Everyone gets a fresh start. Just put it on tape and we'll play you. That's how it works."
How would you best describe your defensive philosophy to Wake Forest fans who haven't yet seen a Scottie Hazelton team in action?
Hazelton: "Sure. I mean, our base is a 4-3. We're a 4-3 team. We have to end up playing a lot of nickel because of all the 11 personnel stuff. We just rally to the ball. The basics are: you play Cover 1, Cover 2, Cover 3, mix in a little quarters, and add pressure. First and second down—it's kind of boring. It's really about getting somebody off schedule so you can make a play. Then when you get them to third down, that's where the fun comes in. If you can get them off schedule and into third, you can disguise pressure, bring it from different places. That's where the players have fun, and that's what they're starting to embrace."
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