Special Teams Great Article Please Read

[lovethenecks]

Big reason they are Winning


Coastal Carolina football thriving with special emphasis on special teams[/b


CONWAY, S.C. -- Twice a week in his scheduled media sessions, each Wednesday to forecast the upcoming opponent and Saturdays after the game, Coastal Carolina football coach Joe Moglia gives his assessment of how he feels the Chanticleers are handling the three phases of the game.

Always all three.

He's been vocal at times about the shortcomings on defense certain weeks. He's even critiqued the Chants' usually reliable offense, bemoaning excessive penalties and red zone mishaps.

But in regard to special teams, Moglia has had nothing but praise ... and pride.

From the time he took over in Conway nearly four years ago, Moglia has emphasized special teams as much if not more than most college programs and the Chants continue to reap the benefits.

"Across the board special teams are outstanding and they have been all season," Moglia said in his latest news conference this Wednesday. "Our special teams are playing at a championship level."

As they head into the start of Big South play this week with a home game against Presbyterian on Saturday at Brooks Stadium, the No. 1/2-ranked Chants rank first in the conference in punt returns (15.5 yards per attempt), kickoff returns (26.4 yards per attempt), kickoff return touchdowns (2), kickoff return defense (15.48 yards per return allowed), kicking points (7.8 per game) and PATs (18-of-18) and rank second in net punting (35.6 yards per punt) and field goal percentage (7-of-10, including 7-of-9 from Ryan Granger).

Coastal Carolina (5-0) has been so smothering on its coverage units that none of its first five opponents have even attempted a single punt return against freshman punter Evan Rabon or sophomore Masamitsu Ishibashi. The Chants are the only FCS team and one of only two teams across Division I and Division II that can make that claim, and they rank eighth in the entire FCS in kick return defense (15.48 yards per return).

For comparison's sake, Coastal Carolina's average starting field positions is at the 36 while its opponents are starting at the 19.

"Because we firmly believe in special teams as a staff from the top down with Coach Moglia, to see it show up on game day is extremely rewarding because we actually believe in it," said assistant coach Renato Diaz, who coordinates the team's kick return unit as well as the punt returners.

"There's some programs that pay lip service to special teams and they don't put a lot of time and effort into it, some put a lot of time and effort into it but they really don't believe in it as much, but we firmly believe in special teams being a difference-maker, a competitive advantage for us and because of that when we see it actually crystallize on the field on Saturdays it's extremely rewarding."

[sealhall74]

Big reason they are Winning


Coastal Carolina football thriving with special emphasis on special teams[/b


CONWAY, S.C. -- Twice a week in his scheduled media sessions, each Wednesday to forecast the upcoming opponent and Saturdays after the game, Coastal Carolina football coach Joe Moglia gives his assessment of how he feels the Chanticleers are handling the three phases of the game.

Always all three.

He's been vocal at times about the shortcomings on defense certain weeks. He's even critiqued the Chants' usually reliable offense, bemoaning excessive penalties and red zone mishaps.

But in regard to special teams, Moglia has had nothing but praise ... and pride.

From the time he took over in Conway nearly four years ago, Moglia has emphasized special teams as much if not more than most college programs and the Chants continue to reap the benefits.

"Across the board special teams are outstanding and they have been all season," Moglia said in his latest news conference this Wednesday. "Our special teams are playing at a championship level."

As they head into the start of Big South play this week with a home game against Presbyterian on Saturday at Brooks Stadium, the No. 1/2-ranked Chants rank first in the conference in punt returns (15.5 yards per attempt), kickoff returns (26.4 yards per attempt), kickoff return touchdowns (2), kickoff return defense (15.48 yards per return allowed), kicking points (7.8 per game) and PATs (18-of-18) and rank second in net punting (35.6 yards per punt) and field goal percentage (7-of-10, including 7-of-9 from Ryan Granger).

Coastal Carolina (5-0) has been so smothering on its coverage units that none of its first five opponents have even attempted a single punt return against freshman punter Evan Rabon or sophomore Masamitsu Ishibashi. The Chants are the only FCS team and one of only two teams across Division I and Division II that can make that claim, and they rank eighth in the entire FCS in kick return defense (15.48 yards per return).

For comparison's sake, Coastal Carolina's average starting field positions is at the 36 while its opponents are starting at the 19.

"Because we firmly believe in special teams as a staff from the top down with Coach Moglia, to see it show up on game day is extremely rewarding because we actually believe in it," said assistant coach Renato Diaz, who coordinates the team's kick return unit as well as the punt returners.

"There's some programs that pay lip service to special teams and they don't put a lot of time and effort into it, some put a lot of time and effort into it but they really don't believe in it as much, but we firmly believe in special teams being a difference-maker, a competitive advantage for us and because of that when we see it actually crystallize on the field on Saturdays it's extremely rewarding."

I was in Conway for our game and have to say their kickoff return coverage guys were the absolute fastest guys I have seen AT ANY LEVEL (granted I don't watch too much FBS ball). They pinned their ears back and came full force. Our guys were retreating and wanted nothing to do with them. When I was playing ball years ago, I think we were taught to pick out someone and knock 'em down on kickoff returns. Maybe rules have changed today and you can't do that anymore, not sure. It certainly did not happen in Conway on that night. Regardless, if you watch some video of them, you will notice their coverage guys are at near full speed when they cross the 35 yd line because of their alignment and "sweeping" run path. We do the traditional thing which is line up at 30 and head straight down field and stay in our lanes. Whatever works, but with their speed, they have one hell of an efficient coverage system in place.