Bill Brechin (right) begins his ninth season on Chuck Martin's Miami staff and his first as defensive coordinator
Defense Developing as Camp Winds Down
8/17/2022 9:45:00 AM | Football
OXFORD, Ohio— Check out a few minutes of football practice at Yager Stadium this August and you'll see plenty of 'new' as you watch the Miami RedHawks' defensive drills.
New players.
(Of course, that's to be expected for a team tasked with replacing nine of its top 12 tacklers from a unit that ranked second in the MAC in points allowed last season.)
New assistant coaches.
(Including on every level of the defense: Ron Burton takes over defensive line, Joe Bowen coaches linebackers and Robert Blanton works with the cornerbacks.)
New positions.
(For example: Is Matthew Salopek a linebacker or safety? It might depend on the day.)
New defensive coordinator.
(Bill Brechin played for head coach Chuck Martin and has worked for him ever since, but has added the coordinator title to his responsibilities in his ninth season at Miami.)
So yes, the consistency and the comfort level for everyone involved is coming along.
But overall, while the first two weeks of practice have included plenty of ups and downs, the general trajectory of growth has been encouraging.
"We're looking good," said Salopek, one of the veteran leaders and the top returning tackler from last season. "We've got a lot of young guys that are getting reps…they're learning.
"But the main thing we're trying to focus on is: Play fast, play physical, and get to the ball."
Brechin hopes that his group can make up for what it lacks in experience with effort. "We're trying to get guys to do the little things right to start," Brechin said. "That starts with communication, then focusing on your job individually on each play, and then—big picture—focusing on what we're going to hang our hat on as a defense. That's running to the football and trying to overwhelm teams with our athleticism.
"We obviously want to be right on every snap, but even if you're not right, you can always run to the football and pursue. That's what we've been preaching every day. No matter who's on the field, no matter what the call is, overwhelm them with your pursuit and your angles: Try to get to the football."
John Saunders Jr. led Miami last year with three interceptions, and the sophomore is looking forward to the challenge facing the RedHawks' rebuilt defense this fall. "We've got a young secondary, but we're all hungry and ambitious," said Saunders. "They're ready to learn, so we're going to learn on the fly, make plays as we go along, and get that experience."
Martin has been thrilled with the leadership his returning starters have demonstrated, making special mention of the example set by Salopek, Saunders, Austin Ertl, and Jacquez Warren, as well as Ryan McWood, who missed most of the 2021 season due to injury.
"Those guys have all been outstanding – their leadership on how to play the game the right way and then how to prepare," said Martin. "Most young guys come out here and compete, but what do you do the other 23 hours of the day? How well are you prepared for being at practice? Or do you just show up to practice and then you try to flip a light switch?
"Those five are always prepared for everything that's happening [ahead of time] and that's why they're successful. They're confident players. They all know they can play; they all know they're talented. And they're all working hard to improve their game."
The RedHawks are only a couple of weeks from the first test of the season, and it's a significant one. Miami will begin the 2022 campaign at No. 20 Kentucky on Saturday, Sept. 3.
"That's the advantage of going to an SEC team and playing a Saturday night game," Martin said. "The environment and the talent level and the intensity: You find out a lot about yourself."
Kentucky boasts a top NFL Draft prospect at quarterback in Will Levis, but the Miami defense has benefited throughout camp from going up against Brett Gabbert and the Miami offense day-in and day-out. The RedHawks' defenders said it's the best possible preparation to help them know where they stand and where they still need to improve.
"If we're slacking, Brett's definitely going to show where we're slacking at," Warren explained. "We see it on film…We're young, and we definitely have a lot of potential back there. We're just taking it day by day and understanding that we have to work hard, understand the concepts, and understand where teams are trying to hit us."
"This is the process of how you get better," Martin agreed. "We've got more experience on offense, which puts some pressure on the defense. That's awesome because it's what those guys need.
"Anytime you're competing against somebody that's as good or better than you, it's the best-case scenario to learn and get better. That's what you hope for…When you make mistakes, Brett's going to make you pay. J-Walk [Jalen Walker] is going to make you pay. Hip [Mac Hippenhammer] is going to make you pay. Bester, Tyre, Coldiron: Those guys are going to make you pay. But that's how you learn and get better."
August has been a solid test run for the RedHawk defense heading into Kentucky. Kentucky will undoubtedly be a great measuring stick for the rest of the non-conference schedule (including a showdown with No. 23 Cincinnati two weeks later). And the key, of course, is for Miami to come out of September ready to pursue the program's 17th MAC championship.
"We've got to start fast," Brechin said. "Kentucky is a challenge, there's no doubt…[but] if we can start fast, compete until the end, and play smart, I think we'll give ourselves a chance…
"I don't think it's any more important or less important than any conference game. It's an opportunity for us as a defense to see where we'll be and where we need to get to."
Single-game and season tickets are on sale now. Come meet the 2022 RedHawks and watch practice at Kickoff with the Community on Saturday, August 20 in Yager Stadium!
Find more Front Row Features at MiamiRedHawks.com/FrontRowFeatures.
New players.
(Of course, that's to be expected for a team tasked with replacing nine of its top 12 tacklers from a unit that ranked second in the MAC in points allowed last season.)
New assistant coaches.
(Including on every level of the defense: Ron Burton takes over defensive line, Joe Bowen coaches linebackers and Robert Blanton works with the cornerbacks.)
New positions.
(For example: Is Matthew Salopek a linebacker or safety? It might depend on the day.)
New defensive coordinator.
(Bill Brechin played for head coach Chuck Martin and has worked for him ever since, but has added the coordinator title to his responsibilities in his ninth season at Miami.)
So yes, the consistency and the comfort level for everyone involved is coming along.
But overall, while the first two weeks of practice have included plenty of ups and downs, the general trajectory of growth has been encouraging.
"We're looking good," said Salopek, one of the veteran leaders and the top returning tackler from last season. "We've got a lot of young guys that are getting reps…they're learning.
"But the main thing we're trying to focus on is: Play fast, play physical, and get to the ball."
Brechin hopes that his group can make up for what it lacks in experience with effort. "We're trying to get guys to do the little things right to start," Brechin said. "That starts with communication, then focusing on your job individually on each play, and then—big picture—focusing on what we're going to hang our hat on as a defense. That's running to the football and trying to overwhelm teams with our athleticism.
"We obviously want to be right on every snap, but even if you're not right, you can always run to the football and pursue. That's what we've been preaching every day. No matter who's on the field, no matter what the call is, overwhelm them with your pursuit and your angles: Try to get to the football."
John Saunders Jr. led Miami last year with three interceptions, and the sophomore is looking forward to the challenge facing the RedHawks' rebuilt defense this fall. "We've got a young secondary, but we're all hungry and ambitious," said Saunders. "They're ready to learn, so we're going to learn on the fly, make plays as we go along, and get that experience."
Martin has been thrilled with the leadership his returning starters have demonstrated, making special mention of the example set by Salopek, Saunders, Austin Ertl, and Jacquez Warren, as well as Ryan McWood, who missed most of the 2021 season due to injury.
"Those guys have all been outstanding – their leadership on how to play the game the right way and then how to prepare," said Martin. "Most young guys come out here and compete, but what do you do the other 23 hours of the day? How well are you prepared for being at practice? Or do you just show up to practice and then you try to flip a light switch?
"Those five are always prepared for everything that's happening [ahead of time] and that's why they're successful. They're confident players. They all know they can play; they all know they're talented. And they're all working hard to improve their game."
The RedHawks are only a couple of weeks from the first test of the season, and it's a significant one. Miami will begin the 2022 campaign at No. 20 Kentucky on Saturday, Sept. 3.
"That's the advantage of going to an SEC team and playing a Saturday night game," Martin said. "The environment and the talent level and the intensity: You find out a lot about yourself."
Kentucky boasts a top NFL Draft prospect at quarterback in Will Levis, but the Miami defense has benefited throughout camp from going up against Brett Gabbert and the Miami offense day-in and day-out. The RedHawks' defenders said it's the best possible preparation to help them know where they stand and where they still need to improve.
"If we're slacking, Brett's definitely going to show where we're slacking at," Warren explained. "We see it on film…We're young, and we definitely have a lot of potential back there. We're just taking it day by day and understanding that we have to work hard, understand the concepts, and understand where teams are trying to hit us."
"This is the process of how you get better," Martin agreed. "We've got more experience on offense, which puts some pressure on the defense. That's awesome because it's what those guys need.
"Anytime you're competing against somebody that's as good or better than you, it's the best-case scenario to learn and get better. That's what you hope for…When you make mistakes, Brett's going to make you pay. J-Walk [Jalen Walker] is going to make you pay. Hip [Mac Hippenhammer] is going to make you pay. Bester, Tyre, Coldiron: Those guys are going to make you pay. But that's how you learn and get better."
August has been a solid test run for the RedHawk defense heading into Kentucky. Kentucky will undoubtedly be a great measuring stick for the rest of the non-conference schedule (including a showdown with No. 23 Cincinnati two weeks later). And the key, of course, is for Miami to come out of September ready to pursue the program's 17th MAC championship.
"We've got to start fast," Brechin said. "Kentucky is a challenge, there's no doubt…[but] if we can start fast, compete until the end, and play smart, I think we'll give ourselves a chance…
"I don't think it's any more important or less important than any conference game. It's an opportunity for us as a defense to see where we'll be and where we need to get to."
Single-game and season tickets are on sale now. Come meet the 2022 RedHawks and watch practice at Kickoff with the Community on Saturday, August 20 in Yager Stadium!
Find more Front Row Features at MiamiRedHawks.com/FrontRowFeatures.
Players Mentioned
Defensive Line
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Quarterback
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Wide Receiver
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Linebacker
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Linebacker
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Defensive Back
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Wide Receiver
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Defensive Back
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