2008 Woodie Awards
Coaching continuity comforts players
By: Daniel Monson
Issue date: 4/7/08 Section: Sports
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Players and coaches scatter to their respective areas of the field and the next segment of practice continues.
This spring marks the first time since the 1997 season the entire coaching staff has remained in place from the previous season.
"You can't say enough about continuity," said head coach Butch Jones. "Continuity within any organization is critical. The players are hearing the same lingo, the same terminology."
Each of the 12 full-time football coaches return from last season's Mid-American championship team, and Jones said dedication was a main factor.
"We've got loyal guys, loyal coaches," he said. "A couple of them had opportunities to leave, and they chose to stay here and not only be loyal to CMU football, but to Central Michigan University as well."
From 1994 to 1997, Dick Flynn's staff stayed together after winning the 1994 MAC championship. This spring, the coaches spend less time getting comfortable with their systems and more time with each player.
"The guys that are here now from last year's team - you know them now," said assistant head coach and wide receivers coach Zach Azzanni. "You didn't know them last year in spring. You were trying to figure them out, what they're good at, what they're mentality is. Now that we know that, we can put them in different situations. Last year it was kind of trial and error."
The comfort level has increased, said defensive coordinator Tim Banks.
"The system is the same - a lot of carry over for the guys," Banks said. "We're not making as many mistakes as we were this time last year."
Junior quarterback Dan LeFevour was adjusting to a new offense in spring 2007. LeFevour, who works with offensive coordinator Mike Bajakian, said player-to-coach communication is much better this spring.
"It was kind of tough (last year) because they didn't know at what point to let you go and do stuff on your own," he said. "If I make a mistake now, (Bajakian) doesn't have to beat it into the ground as much. He knows I'll get better at it if we hit it once."
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