The spring schedule has been announced and fall practice is underway for the Coyotes, who have six more practices from now until the end of October. In that span, we will catch up with position coaches to learn more about their units. We continue the series with defensive line coach Al Sega, who is in his fourth season with the group.
 
Returning Starters
DeValon Whitcomb, 5^th year, Omaha, Neb.
 
Returners
Jackson Coker, Sr., Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Brady Booker, Jr., LaSalle, Ill.
Brendan Webb, So., Buhler, Kan.
Ethan Burson, So., Springfield, Mo.
Nathan Stoffel, So., Marathon, Wis.
Jason Samec, R-Fr., Stillwater, Minn.
Nick Gaes, R-Fr., Alta, Iowa
Blake Holden, R-Fr., Watertown, S.D.
Lucas Becker, R-Fr., Blaine, Minn.
 
Newcomers
Micah Roane, So., Chaska, Minn. (Minnesota)
Will Dunn, Fr., Oklahoma City, Okla. (Heritage Hall HS)
Tim Glaser, Fr., Olathe, Kan. (Rockhurst (Mo.) HS)
Jack Hagy, Fr., Wimberley, Texas (St. Michael's Catholic Acad.)
 
There's no two-time All-American like Darin Greenfield, no NFL prospect like Kameron Cline and no fancy nickname like the group they've been working against in practices. But what Al Sega has on his line is a combination of players who have waited their turn to make an impression on this program. And they're just as hungry as those hippos…
 
"I asked if these guys wanted a nickname or something like dawgs or rhinos, and they said 'coach, we just want to come out and do work' which I love," said Sega. "They just want to be guys who work hard together. There's no Kam or Greeny, but collectively they are a dynamic group that's going to surprise people."
 
Team captain DeValon Whitcomb highlights the group. He asked and was granted a hardship waiver for his 2017 season that never got going due to injury. This is his sixth year with the program and he tied for the team lead with 5.0 sacks last season.
 
Jackson Coker is a true senior who has 29 games under his belt and Brady Booker is a junior who competed mainly on special teams a year ago. The rest of the unit is filled with underclassmen.
 
"It's a young group that's more open to feedback and willing to try new techniques," said Sega. "Kam and Darin were multi-year starters and talents where sometimes you just had to let them play. These younger guys truly benefitted from those two and they are excited for the opportunity."
 
Sega admitted that film study revealed too many missed tackles at times last season, so a simpler scheme and a focus on fundamentals and technique has been the subject of fall camp.
 
"Tackling, block destruction and getting off blocks, and then wrapping up and making plays," said Sega. "In just a few scrimmages, we've improved a lot. We're playing more physical and with more confidence.
 
"We're rolling guys in, getting reps and seeing who stands out. Everybody has shown what they can do and we're excited. If we keep it simple and work hard, we will be okay."