Sun Belt Media Days 2022 Recap

Sun Belt Main Takeaways - Media Days 2022

APPALACHIAN STATE:

Speed over Size everyday. Speed always wins.
5 Runningbacks all worthy of significant playing time, 2 returning 1,000 yard backs
Looking forward to reliving the rivalry between App St and Marshall

OLD DOMINION:

Showcase Virginia football at the national level
"In college football, hate is a good thing.”, in regards to state rivals – Coach Rahne
TE Zack Kuntz walking taller and thicker than anyone else in the room
Didn’t play in 2020. Went to a bowl game in 2021. Now in Sun Belt 2022.

JAMES MADISON:

James Madison entering the SBC East = Big Time Football
Renews rivalries with schools with previous history
Unusual position entering 2022 season, going straight to full FBS schedule. Normally has a transition year. Still not bowl eligible this year.
At the Sun Belt winner’s table, there just isn’t enough seats available. That’s only going to extenuate the rivalries.
Selling out every home game. The fan base and alumni is pumped and ready to go.
Coach Cignetti comes from the Nick Saban Coaching Tree

COASTAL CAROLINA

Expectations don’t change. Continue to have a passion for what we do.
Most challenging schedule since 2017 when Coach Chadwell took over
Not a lot of mullets on defense anymore, but this could be best defense yet. Will have a lot more depth than previous seasons.
Black Swarm Defense – defense swarms to the ball
The team understand what the Coastal Carolina culture is about

MARSHALL

The Marshall brand is strong. When recruiting, you have to have a recognizable brand when walking into recruits homes and Marshall offers that.
Huntington Tuff. Herd Strong.
24 new players directly from high school. 24 new players from the transfer portal help make up the 2022 Marshall roster.
Coach Huff is from the Coach Saban Coaching Tree

GEORGIA STATE

18 returning starters
Chance to compete for Sun Belt East, but expects to win Sun Belt
Darren Granger is 7-1 as a starter. Granger has created momentum and is inspiring.
Has more Defensive Linemen than any other position. Lots will be rotated in.

GEORGIA SOUTHERN:

33 new scholarships
Always competing on a daily basis. Win the day.
Offense is still going to be physical but now need to push the ball down the field vertically.

TEXAS STATE:

A lot of depth
Have been playing for 10 seasons, never been to a bowl game
Goal this season is get to a bowl game
Addressed closing out games in the off season. Now time to show it on the field.
Need to increase the number of times they get off the field after 3rd down
Need to increase scoring Touchdowns in the Red Zone, not settling for Field Goals.
Blue collar mentality. Bring your lunch pale and hard hat.

ARKANSAS STATE:

70% of the Arkansas State roster is either entering year 1 or year 2 of the program
14 players arrived via the transfer portal
Trained by Navy Seals this summer. Goal was to improve: teamwork, communication, leadership and toughness.
Had the number 1 recruiting class in the Sun Belt for 2022

LOUISIANA:

Lafayette is more than football, its family.
In past 2 years, Louisiana has won 14 games by 1 score or less. There’s no coincidence why, competition leads to bettering yourself and shows on the field.

SOUTHERN MISS:

Bring back Southern Miss grit. Southern Miss traditionally prides itself on its defensive play.
Bringing back the Nasty Bunch slogan.
Depth and strength is on the defensive line
2021 was played with 62 scholarships. 2022 back to full strength.
The Super Back Offense was forced into creation in 2021. Might still be in the playbook for 2022.

LA-MONROE:

New facilities. New commitment. New excitement in Monroe, LA.
Warhawks will be competitive in the conference.
Goal is simple, get to a bowl game.
Manage successes and failures.
Knows exactly what they’re getting when they play Alabama and Texas – a check totaling $4 million
Each player knows they have to get better at what they do.
Coach Bowden is a true player’s coach.

SOUTH ALABAMA: