INSIDE SLANT
First-year Miami coach Mike Haywood took a different view of the results his program produced in the 2009 season than many others might.
“We’re heading in the right direction, but just have to get mentally and physically tougher,” he said.
The assessment that the RedHawks need to be mentally and physically stronger than they were in 2009 is obvious. Miami posted a 1-11 record, setting a school mark for losses in a season.
Perhaps the most glaring shortcoming that was identified during the season was Miami’s inability to play on the same physical level as many of its opponents.
The RedHawks’ lineup was loaded with freshmen and sophomores. They clearly have to work diligently in the offseason to get up to speed with the rest of the Mid-American Conference.
“One of the things we have to do is get bigger, stronger and faster,” Haywood said. “We’re going to work on upper-body strength and speed and conditioning because those are areas we need to get stronger at. We have to get bigger and stronger.”
The season was one of learning for Haywood, too, as he became a head coach for the first time. He said he needs to define where his best fit is with the team in terms of making a more productive impact next season.
“I’m going to sit down and talk with the offense, defense, special teams, and let them know what I think my niche is and where I should be spending my time,” Haywood said. “(After that) I’m going to do more hands-on coaching because that’s what I do best.”
NOTES, QUOTES
Game Of The Year: Miami’s only victory came Oct. 31 (appropriately enough on Halloween) as it shut out Toledo in the fourth quarter to earn a 31-24 victory. Freshman QB Zac Dysert passed for 344 yards and a touchdown, and ran for two scores to fuel the win.
Players Of The Year:
QB Zac Dysert—The freshman entered the lineup as a replacement for Daniel Raudabaugh and started the final nine games of the season. Dysert passed for 2,611 yards and 12 touchdowns while completing 61.6 percent of his passes.
LB Jerrell Wedge—The sophomore was an outstanding playmaker for the defense. Wedge led the RedHawks with 114 tackles, and he topped the Mid-American Conference with 18.5 tackles for loss.
Fast Forward: Miami must re-establish its terrific football tradition. The RedHawks appeared in the Mid-American Conference championship game in 2007, but posted a 3-21 record in the two seasons since then.
Recruiting Trail: Miami needs to pick up its pace during the recruiting season. The RedHawks don’t have many scholarships to give, having lost only 11 seniors from this year’s team, but they’re off to a slow start in terms of quality. The best of the commits so far are RB Milton Greer and OL Justin Stumph.
Quote To Note: “We’re heading in the right direction, but just have to get mentally and physically tougher.”—Miami coach Mike Haywood.
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
Players To Watch In 2010:
QB Zac Dysert established himself as one of the top young players in the Mid-American Conference at his position. The redshirt freshman finished with 2,611 passing yards after taking over as the starter in the fourth game of the season.
DB Anthony Kokal provided a stopper on defense in the secondary. The sophomore ranked eighth in the MAC in tackles this season with 105.
WR Jamal Rogers will be a player to keep an eye on based on his finish in 2009. He caught a career-best eight passes in the next-to-last game, then topped it by snagging nine in the season finale.
Pro Prospect:
CB Jeff Thompson—He solidified the RedHawks’ secondary this season with a consistent effort. He made 75 tackles and broke up eight passes.
Roster Report
• Senior WR Brayden Coombs saved his best for last. He caught a school-record 14 passes for a career-high 100 yards in the final game of the season, a loss to Buffalo.
• QB Zac Dysert took over the starting job in the fourth game of the season. He gave a strong effort as a first-time player and proved to be a centerpiece to build around for 2010.
