HUNTSVILLE, Alabama — Dylan Hamilton did not have to think twice about the question.What is the initial impression of Alabama A&M's new football coaching staff?
"The experience and knowledge our new coaches have brought to the program is tremendous," said Hamilton, a 6-foot and 200-pound senior safety who is a first-team preseason All-SWAC selection.
"The impact our new coaching staff already has made is noticeable. It's a whole new mentality. There's a lot to be excited about."
When Alabama A&M hired Connell Maynor in February, the new Bulldogs coach made an immediate splash with the personnel he brought with him.
Alabama A&M hosts Miles in the Louis Crews Classic on Sept. 1 to open the season.
The coaches Maynor brought to Alabama A&M are a veteran group with successful resumes from the highest levels of college football.
"Getting the right coaches here on staff was important," Maynor said. "We've got several coaches on both sides of the ball with a lot of expertise, including several who have worked as college coordinators and were successful in those roles.
"That type of experience is important in a transition period like this, where we are trying to raise the level of our program through the development of our student-athletes."
New defensive coordinator Mark DeBastiani is a perfect example of the type of successful coaching experience Maynor has brought to "The Hill." DeBastiani spent the past three seasons at Florida in a quality control position, and during the Outback Bowl, he was elevated as the Gators' linebackers coach.
Before going to Florida, DeBastiani spent 10 seasons as Norfolk State's defensive coordinator, where he established the Spartans as one of the top defensive teams in the country. During his last six seasons at Norfolk State, the Spartans finished in the top 10 nationally in total defense among FCS programs. In 2014, DeBastiani's Norfolk State defense finished ranked No. 2 in the county and he was a finalist for FCS defensive coordinator of the year.
"And here on our defensive coaching staff at Alabama A&M, I'm the only guy in the room who didn't play in the NFL," DeBastiani said. "Having that type of knowledge and expertise is valuable in building up a program, and it also is a huge asset in recruiting."
DeBastiani is not exaggerating. The coaching roster could double as an all-star team.
First-year defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator William Carr spent time as an assistant coach at Texas and Michigan before coming to Alabama A&M. He also starred at Michigan as a player, where he was an All-American nose tackle who is third on the Wolverines' all-time list with 38 career tackles for loss.
Defensive backs coach Charles Huff came to Alabama A&M from Hampton, where he held the same position on Maynor's previous coaching staff. Huff also has experience as a defensive coordinator at Albany State, and he played four NFL seasons with the San Francisco 49ers and Atlanta Falcons.
And Maynor's most-recent addition to Alabama A&M's coaching staff, Chris Shelling, is a well-known name in major Division I football. Shelling, who is coaching safeties and outside linebackers, starred at Auburn from 1991-1994, where he finished as a runner-up for the Jim Thorpe Award as a senior in 1994.
Hamilton said the players are aware of the experience Alabama A&M's new coaching staff brings to the job.
"They've definitely gotten our attention," he said. "You can see it in the details. The way we've been preparing for the season has been completely different. They're hands-on in everything we do — using their experience as coaches and players to help us get better at our jobs."
There is a similar narrative with Alabama A&M's offensive personnel.
For Alabama A&M, improving offensive production is a priority. To ensure that happens, Maynor filled his new Alabama A&M offensive staff with veteran coaches who have highly-successful resumes.
Offensive coordinator Duane Taylor spent the past three seasons in the same position at Hampton. With Taylor calling the plays, Hampton averaged 321.5 yards and 21.5 points per game.
Jason Mai, who is the quarterbacks coach and director of football operations, has been a college offensive coordinator at Fayetteville State, and running backs coach Brian Jenkins comes to "The Hill" after spending eight seasons as an FCS head coach at Alabama State and Bethune-Cookman.
At Bethune-Cookman, Jenkins amassed a 46-14 record in five seasons and won four Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference titles.
Alabama A&M also has a veteran offensive line coach in Keith Wagner — who played in the NFL for the New York Giants and the Jacksonville Jaguars, and has developed all-conference players and numerous FCS programs. Tight ends coach Markus Lawrence is an up-and-coming young coach who already is garnering respect from his peers in the coaching business.
"And Coach Maynor also very involved in what we're doing on that side of the ball," said junior running back Jordan Bentley, a second-team preseason All-SWAC offense selection.
"One of the most noticeable differences is the energy this coaching staff has brought to the program. They are extremely competitive. Coach Maynor might be the most competitive person I've ever met. That attitude has rubbed off on everyone in the program. Everyone has completely bought in and we can't wait for our fans to see the results."
ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATION
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