This week, Monmouth held their media day for the upcoming 2025 football season. Heading into the season, the Hawks were picked to finish second in the CAA in the preseason coaches’ poll. With expectations high for Monmouth’s third season in the conference, the team is taking a business-as-usual approach to the season.
“I mean, we were ranked second to finish in the conference and I think our guys look at that as an honor,” said Monmouth head coach Kevin Callahan. “I mean, it’s a tribute to all of their hard work, it’s a tribute to the effort that’ve put in each of the three years in this conference. And now it’s being recognized by our people in the conference.”
“Every single game is about who plays better in the three hours on the field that day, because that team is going to win. There’s no backing into any wins in this conference. Everybody’s too good; everybody has extremely talented players. So you better go out on that field and play better and you’ll get the victory.”
Monmouth’s Defense: A Storm Brewing
With all the news about Monmouth’s prolific and high-powered offense, Monmouth’s defense is a unit to keep an eye on. In a previous article by Mike Ready, the defense is poised to make an impact. However, according to Monmouth’s defensive coordinator, Lewis Walker, the defensive side of the ball is ready to do its job.
“As far as accolades and stuff, we praise our guys. You earn it and that’s what you want and hopefully it’s a motivating factor,” said Walker. “The thing we do here is we just attack it every single day and if we get the accolades, we get the accolades. We’re about winning games here and that’s where we have to step on the defensive side of the ball to be just as explosive as our offense.”
Throughout the practice on Media Day, the defensive front displayed quickness and intensity against their counterparts on the offensive line. During 11-on-11 drills, the secondary was flying around and making plays against the first-team offense. After allowing 33 points per game and almost six yards per play, the Hawks’ defense will look to tighten up their performance.
During the day, Callahan mentioned a more mature defensive unit, but there is a level of all-around improvement, with anyone able to step up and produce.
“I see a lot of depth. I feel like with the guys we got right now, anybody can go in and play and make a big difference on the field,” said junior defensive back Deuce Lee. “From the spring until now, we have improved a lot. We’re taking the ball away more, we’re flying around, we’re tackling. We’re doing a lot of good things, so I’m very excited for that.”
Monmouth’s Embarrassment of Riches on Offense
Derek Robertson, the preseason CAA Player of the Year, is heading into the season as the leader of the offense with a plethora of weapons at his disposal. Among the questions during Media Day was whether having so many weapons and just one ball would create an issue.
“That’s the best thing about playing in this offense. For me, that’s the best part about playing quarterback with these guys is no one cares,” said Robertson. “We just want to put points on the board. No one cares who’s getting the ball. They know whoever’s open is going to get the ball. And if they find themselves open, they’re going to get the ball and that’s all that matters. We talk about celebrating our teammates’ success because one success is all success and that’s really all that matters.”
Coach Callahan Continues at the Helm
Since the start of Monmouth’s football program in 1993, there has been one man at the top, and it has been Kevin Callahan. Through multiple conference changes, the development of NFL-caliber players, and the continually evolving landscape of college sports over the last few years, Callahan has remained a constant presence down the shore. With everything he has seen, he still has the fire and drive to continue leading the Hawks.
“I still love what I do every single day. If there’s a day when I wake up and I don’t feel like coming to work, it’s time to retire and I’ve never had a day like that in the 48 years I’ve been coaching.”
“It’s one of those things that I’ve always heard that when you think about retiring, you should probably retire. Well, I’ve never thought about it.”
Monmouth is expected to be the class of the CAA in the 2025 season and based on the intense practices and business-like demeanor permeating the team, they look ready to meet and even exceed those expectations when they start the season on August 29 at Colgate.
