Coaching continuity comforts players

When CMU equipment coordinator Mike McPike blasts an air horn every 15 minutes at football practice this spring, there is little confusion.

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. Dan 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."

The championship season allowed the coaches to grow closer, Azzanni said. However, it will be in the back of their minds when the season starts.

"We know all the coaches, we know each of their styles," Azzanni said. "We're building relationships, too - we're getting close to each other. And that helps when coaches know each other and have each others' back."

Dominant D?

The last hour of Saturday's practice featured a scrimmage in which the defense beat the offense 50-21.

The defense gained points for forcing turnovers and stopping the offense.

Banks said he is cautiously optimistic.

"We did well - we were really trying to execute. But we don't want to get into a false sense of security," he said. "The offense has a lot of guys who are hurt, and you've got to play the cards that you're dealt. Right now, our guys are taking advantage of it, trying to be better both physically and mentally."

CMU ranked last in the MAC in total defense last season as it gave up an average of 450.2 yards per game. But with one more year of experience, Banks said the unit is at a much better place this spring.

"We lost some productive guys with Ike Brown and Red Keith, which are guys that are going to be hard to replace, especially from a leadership standpoint," he said. "But hopefully with a Nick Bellore having a year under his belt, and our secondary a year older - I think they're playing with a little bit more confidence - hopefully that can translate to us playing better on defense."

Jones said the familiarity of the defensive game plan also is a positive.

"Our players know what to expect, they know the expectations," Jones said. "This is the first time in seven years we haven't had a new defensive coordinator."

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