Bob Chesney Profile: Johns Hopkins defense records historic season under defensive coordinator’s guidance

By: Sean Grybos

It is roughly seven hours before the end of the decade; the streets of Baltimore are filling with revelers eager to ring in 2010 at the city’s annual fireworks display in Inner Harbor. Outside residents of Charm City celebrate, but inside at the Johns Hopkins football offices, associate head coach/defensive coordinator Bob Chesney is going over recruiting files.

Much like the revelers, Chesney is eager to move into 2010 sans the noisemakers and fireworks, for it’s the 2010 Blue Jays season that he is focused on at this moment when I reach him via phone.

Photo Credit: Johns Hopkins Athletics
From Dickinson to Johns Hopkins

Chesney, a four-year letter winner at Pennsylvania’s Dickinson College, played safety for the Red Devils football team. At Dickinson, he began to formulate ideas about defense that would now serve him as the Blue Jays defensive coordinator. "[Playing safety] you take it all in; you are involved in both the pass and run," Chesney said, "You see the play progress."

After graduation, Chesney moved to Vermont in 2000 joining the staff at Norwich University to begin his coaching career. Stops at Delaware Valley College and Kings College followed before he ended up at Johns Hopkins where he has been for the past five seasons.

In his first two seasons, he worked with the Blue Jays defensive backs and special teams before being named defensive coordinator in his third season. This past summer Chesney was named associate head coach. With this title came added accountability to the program, its players, and coaching staff.

Chesney now was more involved in the decision making process for several facets of the program including recruiting, practice planning, and the strength and conditioning program. "Head coach Margraff and I work well together," Chesney said. "I am very thankful for the opportunity."

With new responsibilities in tow, Chesney also maintained his focus on his defensive coordinator duties. In 2009, the Blue Jays would venture into uncharted territory in the program’s greatest season ever. Hopkins made its deepest ever run in the NCAA Division III football tournament.

Along with a strong offense and special teams, the defense would play its role in Hopkins impressive season which culminated in a trip to the Division III quarterfinals after defeating two higher ranked opponents on the road.

No Centennial Conference program had ever before advanced to the third round of the tournament until the Blue Jays accomplished the feat this year. Hopkins, the Centennial Conference Champions, finished the season 10-3.


Photo Credit: Johns Hopkins Athletics
Intelligent Football

Chesney credits the student-athletes under his tutelage for the team’s 2009 defensive success. Accountability, trust, and performance on and off the field including academics are all important to the Hopkins football player.

"It’s obvious. These kids understand the bigger picture," Chesney said. "Not just on the field where they have a full understanding of what we are trying to accomplish, but off the field as well."

He added that the coaches have a saying for this combination of football prowess and academic pedigree. "We like to say that we practice smarter; we like to maximize our practice time and these players allow us to do that," Chesney said.

This "just do your job" mentality as Chesney described it allowed the defense to prosper into one of the greatest units in the history of the Hopkins program. "On the year, we averaged more than four turnovers a game," Chesney said.

"The defense finished first in the country in interceptions with 30 and placed in the top 25 of every other category. We had a very good year because our players were accountable and trusted one another," Chesney said.

The Prototype for the Next Decade

One such student-athlete was standout linebacker Colin Wixted who Chesney utilized all across the field. Wixted became the fourth Blue Jays player to be named Centennial Conference Defensive Player of the Year.

The linebacker finished third on the team with 76 tackles including 11 for loss. He also had four quarterback sacks, three interceptions, two forced fumbles, and added both a fumble recovery and a pass breakup. Wixted and his defensive teammates allowed just 16.5 points per game.

Blessed with a strong combination of intelligence and athleticism, Wixted lined up at nearly every position from the defensive line to the secondary.

"Colin broke the mold," Chesney said. "He was very good. Smart, fast, tough, able to blitz and put pressure on the QB. It was exciting to get a chance to coach a player like that."

New Year, Same Ideals

Bob Chesney understands and appreciates the collegiate coaching environment. Accountability, strength of character, belief in self, perseverance, and dedication to his job are all tools that the associate head coach/defensive coordinator utilizes throughout his weekly routines and duties at the Johns Hopkins football program.

These tools will be needed for capturing the ultimate prize – a Division III National Championship. Then it will be time to grab those noisemakers, maybe even some fireworks in Inner Harbor too.