Monmouth football: 5 things that must happen after Hawks stumble in first CAA season

It was a would've, could've, should've season for Monmouth University football.

If the Hawks hadn’t gotten a punt blocked and returned for a score in the season-opener at New Hampshire, the eventual CAA co-champs; or blown a coverage in the final minutes of regulation in what eventually was a seven-overtime loss to Rhode Island; or they had been able to simply knock down a pass late in a 52-49 loss to Fordham.

But the Hawks didn’t, couldn’t, and finished 5-6 overall and 3-5 in the league, while New Hampshire and Fordham made it to the FCS Playoffs and Rhode Island was on the bubble but didn’t get in.

“I think the games we didn’t win this year we can point to and say ‘if this is done differently we do win that game,’ “ Monmouth coach Kevin Callahan said. “So I think it helps the confidence of this team, the confidence of this program as we move forward.”

Now it’s time to sift through the rubble to look at what has to change. There’s a slightly different vibe heading into the offseason after the season-ending 24-21 win over Stony Brook snapped a four-game losing streak.

“It was a hard season. Everyone can see that. It didn’t turn out the way anyone wanted it to,” said right tackle Justin Szuba, with the Brick Memorial product having played his final game. “But the way that the boys bounced back (Saturday) and responded to play our best team game the whole year, it means a lot.”

Here are five things that need to happen this offseason:

1. Keep offense together

In the age of the NCAA transfer portal, nothing is a given. But if Monmouth returns its key offensive pieces, including running back Jaden Shirden, who won the FCS regular season rushing title with 1,722 yards, including nine 100-yard games, quarterback Tony Muskett and receiver Dymere Miller, who did most of the work on Saturday's 72-yard game-winner.

Monmouth finishes with a Top 10 offense nationally, even though Muskett missed the final three games with a knee injury.

2. Overhaul the defense

Monmouth was last in the CAA in total defense, scoring defense and pass defense. Coordinator Andy Bobick’s unit has failed to keep pace as the offense, tops in the CAA, has risen over the past six seasons.

They don’t have enough playmakers on that side of the ball.  With four sacks, defensive end Pat Hayden was the only Monmouth player in the top 25 in sacks in the CAA, tied for 20th. Only two CAA teams had fewer sacks than the 20 Monmouth finished with.

Freshman defensive end Miles Mitchell finished with two sacks in limited playing time, while junior cornerback Mike Reid was their top defender and cornerback Eddie Morales, injured much of this season, will be back for one more season.

Monmouth has to rethink everything it does and how it does it on defense. And a few good transfer portal pickups would help.

3. Fix special teams

You’d be hard pressed to find a game where special teams didn’t hurt them in some way, whether it was missed field goals and extra points, allowing long returns and failing to break any returns of their own.

Monmouth needs to develop a reliable kicker and better coverage and return teams. On the list of things that held this team back this season, special teams is pretty high up.

They do get punter Ryan Kost back, with Kost’s 46.5-yard average leading the CAA.

4. Win recruiting battles

This marks the most important recruiting cycle ever for the program, because it’s the first full cycle going head-to-head against CAA rivals like Delaware, Villanova and Towson. And Monmouth needs to start winning those battles, because that’s the level of player they need.

Monmouth also needs better quality depth throughout the lineup. The weaknesses in the depth chart were exposed as the grueling league schedule wore on.

5. Get lights

At this level of college football, who doesn’t have lights on their field? Seriously, that needs to be job one for the administration this offseason. It’s just nice to have that option to have a Saturday night game every so often, which might help energize the fansbase a little.

It also gives you the opportunity to showcase the school and football program by hosting events, including NJSIAA high school football playoff games.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Monmouth NJ football: 5 things that must happen this offseason