AAMU's Maynor, Players Discuss Upcoming Football Season at SWAC Media Day

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The Connell Maynor era of Alabama A&M football is underway.

Maynor made his first SWAC Media Day appearance as Alabama A&M's football coach on Friday at the Grandview Marriott in Birmingham.

At SWAC Media Day, Maynor was joined by Alabama A&M senior safety Dylan Hamilton and junior running back Jordan Bentley.

"I like the progress we've made this offseason," Maynor said. "We've got a good group of players returning, and we've made some nice additions through recruiting, and as a team, we're moving in the right direction."

Maynor was hired in February as Alabama A&M's new football coach. The Bulldogs finished last season with a 4-7 record.

Alabama A&M returns seven starters on offense, and six on defense.

At SWAC Media Day, for Alabama A&M, one of the prominent themes discussed was the Bulldogs' new coaching staff.

When Maynor was hired at Alabama A&M, he quickly assembled a staff of veteran coaches who have been successful at the highest levels of college football.

Alabama A&M defensive coordinator Mark DeBastiani spent the past three seasons at Florida in a quality control position, and he spent 10 seasons as Norfolk State's defensive coordinator. During his last six seasons at Norfolk State, the Rams were ranked in the top 10 nationally in total defense.

Maynor also hired Duane Taylor as Alabama A&M's new offensive coordinator. Taylor was Maynor's offensive coordinator at Hampton during the past three seasons. Last season, with Taylor calling the plays, Hampton averaged 321.5 yards and 21.5 points per game.

Maynor said that having veteran assistant coaches on staff with successful resumes has helped make a smooth transition at Alabama A&M.

"When I took this job, being able to bring in an experienced, quality staff was important," Maynor said. "We've got some great coaches who are working hard to help the young men on our football program achieve their goals."

Bentley, a junior running back who was the 2016 SWAC Freshman of the Year, said the immediate impact made by Alabama A&M's new coaching staff is noticeable.

"You can see it in everything we do," Bentley said. "The new coaching staff is very involved in everything we do. They're very hands-on. This is important to them, and the players understand that. They're creating a great culture here. They're creating a lot of excitement."

Hamilton, a senior safety, agreed.

"There is a new attitude around our program," Hamilton said. "Everyone has bought in, and just in a matter of months, the results already are obvious. There is not a single person in our program who isn't excited about what's ahead for our program."

Alabama A&M opens fall camp on August 1. The Bulldogs open the season on Sept. 1 against Miles in the Louis Crews Classic.

"Our guys are ready to get into camp and get things started," Maynor said. "The players have been working hard to prepare themselves for what's ahead. We want to be a team that's ready to compete in every single game, no matter the opponent. We want to be the kind of program that competes for championships.

"For us to get that point requires hard work and discipline, and I believe our guys are buying into that."

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