The spring schedule has been announced and fall practice is underway for the Coyotes, who have five 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 offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Ted Schlafke, who is in his fifth year at USD.
 
Returners
Tyler Tsagalis, Sr., Arlington Heights, Ill.
Jakob Parks, Jr., Clearwater, Fla.
Devon Moore, Jr., Waterloo, Iowa
Hayden Ekern, R-Fr., Chicago, Ill.
 
Newcomers
Carson Camp, Fr., Bloomington, Ill. (Normal Community West HS)
Cole Stenstrom, Fr., Arden Hills, Minn. (Mounds View HS)
 
It's the first time in Ted Schlafke's relatively short career that he has possessed this much depth at the quarterback position. That alone most likely explains why it's also the first time it hasn't been obvious this early who the No. 1 guy will be. And as odd as it may sound, that has created a set of advantages he hasn't had before.
 
"I don't have to push them, because they push each other," said Schlafke. "It's a great group, they cheer each other on and they understand that they're not competing against each other, but with each other. They don't need me to tell them what they should have done. They know because the next guy is probably doing it, and that's providing all the motivation they need."
 
It's a unique group in that it ranges from a fifth-year senior in Tyler Tsagalis to an early-enrollee, true freshman in Carson Camp and everything in between. They're all unique and Schlafke would add that they're different from what he's had in Chris Streveler and Austin Simmons. But with almost everyone returning to the offense, the position won't have to be everything at all times.
 
"It's a luxury for a new starter to not have the weight of the world on his shoulders," said Schlafke. "We're probably not going to have to ask that position to do everything like we have the last four years.
 
"But our goal here in the fall has been to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the younger players who haven't repped as much, and to see how far our older guys have come and to see them take control and use their experience as an advantage. They've done a really good job with that, and our young guys have learned fast, probably quicker than expected."
 
Schlafke could note his teams are undefeated when injury has forced a backup into a starting role, and with so many variables in play for February football and beyond, having capable quarterbacks at the ready is certainly an advantage. To that extent, each signal caller is working in with the ones and twos. They aren't given a script ahead of time or a list of plays to run beforehand. So when Schlafke calls them in, they have to be ready.
 
"The mentality of being ready at all times is something I believe in, and I want them to be prepared for anything," said Schlafke. "When you're with the ones, it means you're competing against the EJ Reeds, the Jack Cochranes and the Jakari Starlings. The challenge going with the second group is can you be the guy who elevates it? Whether it's a less cohesive offensive line, or communicating with younger backs, or inexperience at other positions, can you carry that group? There are some great lessons associated with both tasks."
 
Schlafke's message then over these final few practices – don't get stagnant, keep moving forward and perform at as high a level as they can.
 
"The guy that wins the job ultimately is the one that the rest of the crew on the team believe and depend on."