The spring schedule has been announced and fall practice is underway for the Coyotes, who have two 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 our newest coach to the staff, cornerbacks coach Miles Taylor.
 
Returning Starters
Cameron Tisdale, Jr., Clearwater, Fla.
Cori Fant Jr., So., Tampa, Fla.
 
Returners
Rodney Sivils Jr., So., Largo, Fla.
Tre Jackson, So., Wellington, Fla.
Robert Ford III, R-Fr., St. Peters, Mo.
 
Newcomers
Josiah Ganues, Fr., Miramar, Fla. (Miramar HS)
Myles Harden, Fr., Miami Gardens, Fla. (Miramar HS)
Jailen Holman, Fr., West Palm Beach, Fla. (Palm Beach Lakes HS)
 
A phone call to each individual player at the cornerback position is how Taylor introduced himself to his new Coyote crew. Since then, it's been all about growing, teaching, developing and inspiring. It's one of the many things he learned as a safety and then a graduate assistant coach for the Iowa Hawkeyes.
 
"Grow them as men and as football players, teach them right from wrong, develop them to help them gain the skills necessary to be great and successful in this defense, and then inspire them to be better people," said Taylor. "That's what I'm trying to do."
 
The unit is off to a fine start. Even the loss of three-year starter Mark Collins Jr. hasn't deterred this group of relatively young players, many of whom were thrust into action due to injuries sustained by Collins the last two seasons. Cameron Tisdale started eight games as a true freshman in 2018 and was named to the MVFC All-Newcomer Team. Cori Fant Jr. started five games a true freshman in 2019. Tre Jackson competed mainly on special teams as a redshirt freshman last year, but has turned in an impressive fall performance.
 
"He's (Tre's) doing a really good job at getting the guys focused and preparing to play at a high level in practice," said Taylor. "He's playing with a lot more physicality and it's led to some good football.
 
"From Cam and Cori down to the new guys, this group has truly raised its level week-by-week. The effort is there, they're executing the defense and starting to make some plays."
 
Taylor said there's no set group of ones or twos and he tells the group there could be a different lineup each week, which bodes well for a unit hit by injuries in recent seasons and the reality of playing in a new Covid era.
 
Lastly, Taylor is hoping his experiences as a safety in Iowa City and coaching under coordinator Phil Parker will rub off on his Coyote disciples.
 
"Phil allowed me to work with the corners a lot these last two years, and I think that helped me grow into a better coach," said Taylor. "There's not much of a difference between the two positions, but playing safety has helped me see some things that other guys don't. You still have to be detailed, focused and good with your eyes and feet.
 
"I want these guys to compete, play hard and take the coaching from the meeting rooms and put it into practice. We've had a solid month on each of those fronts."