Four Takeaways From Monmouth University Football 2025 Media Day

WEST LONG BRANCH – Monmouth University football held its annual media day Monday with selected coaches and players on hand to answer questions from participating media members and shed some light on the upcoming 2025 season.

MONMOUTH HEAD COACH KEVIN CALLAHAN STILL LOVES HIS JOB

Entering his 33rd season as head coach of the Hawks and the only head coach in Monmouth football history, Callahan is still head over heels in love with coaching the Hawks and doesn’t plan on retiring anytime soon. Since Monmouth’s humble beginnings in 1993, Callahan has compiled a 188-148 record at Monmouth, and his teams have captured seven conference titles while qualifying for three FCS playoff appearances. He is the longest tenured FCS head coach, and his 188 career FCS wins are first among active coaches in the FCS.

“I still love what I do every single day,” said Callahan. “If there is ever a day when I wake up and I don’t feel like coming to work, it’s time to retire. I’ve never had a day like that in the 48 years I’ve been coaching. It’s a pleasure, first of all, an honor to be able to come and work with these guys every day. I have a great coaching staff that has been together for a fairly significant time, and I love doing it every single day. I’ve always heard that when you think about retiring, you should probably retire. Well, I’ve never thought about it.”

MONMOUTH’S OFFENSE HAS A SHOT AT BEING HISTORIC, BUT DON’T TELL THEM THAT

The Hawks' offense finished the 2024 season ranked first in the FCS in total offense per game (489.9) and second in passing yards per game (332.5), and return virtually the entire starting unit, along with quality depth at each position. The orchestrator of the Hawks' high-powered offense, quarterback Derek Robertson, is a unanimous FCS Preseason All-American selection after garnering numerous All-American honors a year ago. During the 2024 campaign, Robertson set the Monmouth single-season record for passing yards in a season (3,937) and passing touchdowns (31) - third and fifth, respectively, in the country. Monmouth is ranked 21st and 22nd nationally in the two major FCS Preseason football Top 25 polls.

However, Robertson is as soft-spoken and humble as he is an assassin on the football field. When asked about his success last season, he is quick to point out that it means nothing when the team finished 6-6 and missed the FCS playoffs. He’s totally focused on what he needs to do to become a better football player and leader of the team. All the hype surrounding him and the offense goes in one ear and out the other; he doesn’t want to hear it. And the rest of the offense has followed his lead. To the man, you would never know by talking to them that they are part of something special that could conceivably bring Monmouth football to new heights.

“It’s sort of cool, but at the end of the day, it means nothing,” said Robertson of all the preseason hype surrounding him and the team. “What matters is what we do as a team on a daily basis, so we can win football games starting August 29. I’m just focused on this team right now and how we can get better heading into our first game. And that’s all that really matters. I just want to take this as far as we can. We’re not focused on last year; it’s a completely new year. There are a lot of improvements that we can make, and that’s all that really matters, is getting better every single day.”

The Hawks' wide receiver room is stacked with talent, including two All-CAA Preseason selections, Josh Derry and T.J. Speight, and they all have the same mindset that Robertson has: team first. “The biggest thing for us is just to win the game,” said Derry, who was a second team All-CAA selection last season. We know we all can make a play at any time, but it’s all about winning for us.”

DON’T FORGET ABOUT MONMOUTH’S RUNNING GAME

With all the hype surrounding Monmouth’s prolific passing attack, it’s easy to overlook the Hawks' underrated running game. A year ago, the Hawks averaged 157.4 rushing yards per game while averaging 5.1 yards per attempt. Returning sophomore Rodney Nelson led the team with 809 yards on the ground on 133 carries while averaging 6.1 yards per attempt last season. He was an FCS Central and Phil Steele freshman All-American and fourth team Phil Steele All-CAA selection. A CAA Preseason Honorable Mention selection, Nelson has looked stronger and faster than ever this fall camp. His backfield mate, senior Makhi Green, carried the ball 55 times last season, gaining 278 yards for a 5.1 yards per carry average. With the departure of bruising back Sone Ntoh, Green will be more involved this season. Look for redshirt freshman Elijah Jennings and true freshman Kenny Smith to contribute as well.

“We’ve got some very dynamic running backs,” said Callahan. “Everyone knows about Rodney Nelson and what he can do, and Makhi Green came on the scene last year and was very successful. Elijah Jennings is another really explosive back, and freshman Kenny Smith is a kid we feel really good about, too. The way we see it overall, we have four really good running backs that are all going to contribute in some way.”

Offensive coordinator Jeff Gallo is on the same page as Callahan. “I would echo that,” said Gallo in response to Callahan’s take on the running back room. “They’re all talented. They all have a little different trait in them, but they all have speed and power, and we can do a lot with them. I’m really happy with that whole room; it’s a really strong group.”

THE DEFENSE APPEARS TO BE VASTLY IMPROVED OVER LAST SEASON

Monmouth did lose six key players from last season’s defense through the transfer portal, but that’s from a defense that ranked 98th out of 123 FCS teams, so how significant a loss could that really be? The Hawks countered by bringing in 12 defensive players from the portal who look to challenge for a starting position and/or add valuable depth. Second-year defensive coordinator Lewis Walker named a few of those transfers who have stood out in fall camp: Edge rusher Josiah Graham, interior lineman J.J. Lewis, linebackers Evan Rutkowski, Spencer Kishbaugh, Ryan Russo and Brody Hock, safety Trey Mcleer, and cornerback Jalen Newman. He also called out returning tackle Bryce Rooks and linebacker Charlie Sasso, along with up-and-coming defensive linemen Lamont Lester and Hunter Watson.

Walker admits last season was a challenge, but he’s cautiously optimistic about this season and expects a huge turnaround out of his defense.

“It’s like anything,” said Walker about the difficulties of installing a new scheme in his first year. “You come in and overhaul a defensive scheme that the guys have been used to running for a few years, and there are going to be some growing pains, and we saw that a year ago. But the guys have bought in, they trust it, and are attacking the process every single day. They’re banding together and building a foundation of brotherhood within our program. But defensively, those guys are buying in, and right now we’re beginning to see the benefits. Obviously, there is still room to grow, and that’s the luxury of having a few more days of practice before game prep.”

The defense's accelerated improvement can in part be attributed to having to go up against the nation's number one offense on a daily basis.

“That’s the luxury we have. We get to go against these guys every single day,” added Lewis. “And when they’re throwing everything at us, we get to go out there and adjust to it. We’re playing against some of the best receivers in the country, the best running backs in the country, and obviously, Derek Roberstson. We’re about winning games here, and we have to step it up on the defensive side and strive to become just as explosive as the offense.”

The secondary might be the strongest position group on the defense this season after struggling mightily a year ago, due in good part to the youthfulness and inexperience of the unit. However, seven out of eight secondary players, either starters or backups, are back this season, and six of them were either freshmen or sophomores a year ago. Add to that the four defensive backs brought in through the transfer portal, and you have the makings of a deep and talented secondary.

Junior safety Deuce Lee, a Preseason All-CAA selection, is optimistic about this year's defense. “I see a lot of improvement and a lot of depth. I feel like the guys we've got right now; anybody can go in and make a big difference on the field. Since the spring, we’ve improved a lot. We’re taking the ball away more, we’re flying around, tackling, and doing a lot of good things. I’m very excited for the season.”

COACH CALLAHAN’S OPENING STATEMENT

“This is the start of what we think is going to be a very exciting year for us,” said Callahan. “Camp has been very good so far; today was practice number 15. We’ve had two extended scrimmages, and I like the work our team is doing. Specifically, from an offensive standpoint, we return 10 of 11 starters from a year ago, and the eleventh guy played a lot of football for us last year. So, I’m very excited about the productivity and experience they bring to the field each day. Then on the defensive side, we’re older than we were last year, more mature, and we’ve added a few pieces to that group that I think are going to make it a much more formidable group than it was in the past, so I’m excited about where we are on defense. The kicking game looks very good. Luke Schabel is doing a great job and will handle both punting and kicking, but we’ve got a couple of other guys that are in the mix for the kicking spot as well. So, I think all in all, we have all the pieces in place to have a successful season.”

The Hawks open on the road at Colgate on Friday, August 29, with kickoff scheduled for 7:00 p.m. The game will be streamed live on ESPN+.