USF's Tresey used to be one of 'them'

It seemed like a simple observation, an obvious thought.

University of South Florida defensive coordinator Joe Tresey was reflecting on Thursday night's nationally televised Big East Conference showdown between the 23rd-ranked Bulls (5-0) and the No. 8 Cincinnati Bearcats (5-0) at Raymond James Stadium.

"This is a big game," Tresey said. "We haven't beaten them the last three seasons."

True: USF has dropped three straight against Cincinnati.

But the past two years, Tresey was one of "them."

He was Cincinnati's defensive coordinator, helping the Bearcats to nation-leading figures in turnovers and interceptions for 2007, then the No. 31 total defense national ranking for last season's Big East championship team.

On Feb. 9, Bearcats coach Brian Kelly fired Tresey.

Kelly maintains it was a difference in philosophy. The Bearcats have shifted to a 3-4 defense, which runs counter to Tresey's core beliefs. According to some reports, Tresey had interviewed for a spot on the University of Miami's staff, perhaps hastening his departure. Tresey, who realizes he's a major story line for this week's game, simply wants to move on.

"I'm really focused on South Florida, our defense and our football team, not what occurred at Cincinnati," Tresey said.

So far, USF has been a beneficiary. When veteran defensive coordinator Wally Burnham moved to Iowa State, Bulls coach Jim Leavitt hired Tresey. In keeping with Tresey's reputation, USF's defense has shown muscle and ball-hawking ability, its 16 turnovers in five games ranking third nationally heading into the weekend.

"Coach Tresey has brought a lot to the table here," USF linebacker Sabbath Joseph said. "He's not showing much emotion right now, but I know deep down, he really wants to beat those guys."

Last season, those guys were Tresey's guys. He expects it to be strange Thursday night when he walks onto the field and sees the Cincinnati players he once coached.

After that? Just another big game.

"Once the first snap happens, you're just coaching against the team you're playing," Tresey said. "And no matter who it is, you want to win."

Kelly echoed that attitude.

"Joe does a great job and he'll have his defense ready to go," Kelly said. "It's not about Joe Tresey and Brian Kelly. It's about our players and how they play."

Bob Diaco, the former University of Virginia assistant who was Kelly's co-defensive coordinator at Central Michigan in 2005, has taken over the Cincinnati defense. Despite implementing the new 3-4 scheme - and losing 10 starters - the Bearcats haven't missed a beat.

"I just thought the 3-4 defense would be a way to combat all the different looks (in modern college football)," Kelly said. "Just trying to evolve with the times, trying to stay ahead of the curve."

USF may have a way to stay ahead of the curve, too.

Last Sunday, Tresey met with USF offensive coaches, including coordinator Mike Canales. He went through Cincinnati's defense, player by player, offering his impressions on strengths, weaknesses and tendencies.

"It was invaluable," Canales said.

Leavitt said that information could cut both ways. After all, Kelly is familiar with Tresey's style.

"It's probably a wash," Leavitt said. "Our advantage is their advantage also. You put people in position to make plays. But in the end, the players have to make the plays."

Like Tresey said, it's still a football game.

"It's funny how we are," Tresey said. "Coaches are creatures of habit. You adapt to your own environment. There are ties there, obviously, but I'm focused on South Florida."