The spring schedule has been announced and fall practice is wrapping up for the Coyotes, who have an intrasquad scrimmage set for Friday inside the DakotaDome. We conclude our position group series with running backs coach Dante Warren, an alum and Coyote quarterback who begins his third season on staff.
 
Returning Starter
Kai Henry, Sr., Miami, Fla.
 
Returners
Travis Theis, R-Fr., Pratt, Kan.
 
Newcomers
Michael Mansaray, Fr., Columbus, Ohio (Westerville South HS)
Shomari Lawrence, Fr., Pompano Beach, Fla. (Blanche Ely HS)
Nathan Lubinsky, Fr., Onalaska, Wis. (Onalaska HS)
 
Kai Henry is fixin' to become just the fourth Coyote running back in the last 20 years to reach 2,000 yards rushing. It's an exclusive list that includes Stefan Logan, Chris Ganious and Trevor Bouma. Henry is also coming off his best season in which he averaged nearly six yards per carry and totaled 797 yards and nine scores.
 
The list behind Henry includes Travis Theis, who earned 17 carries in four games last year, and three true freshmen. That's a significant gap in experience, and it's led Warren to a somewhat unique approach this fall.
 
"We've got real creative with these guys in trying to push them forward," said Warren. "In addition to zoom meetings and before we meet as a group, we've been doing individual half hour sessions. It's helped both mentally and physically in their progression.
 
"The response from the guys has been great. They're diving into their playbook, watching a lot of film and they're hungry to learn. They're also doing their part in the classroom and adjusting to being a college student. These four certainly fit the look we want to build towards the future."
 
Henry topped 100 yards rushing four times last year and the Coyotes racked up more than 300 yards on the ground three times in 2019. Comparing those performances to others and building consistency comes down to patience says Warren, another lesson he's trying to install to this young crew quickly.
 
"Those 300-yard games came on patience, style and not panicking," said Warren. "These film sessions together help with their learning in that they can see what I see in a fast rate or in slow motion so that they can do the little things that will lead to success."
 
Henry has helped with the mold as well. Warren said he's often serving as an extra coach in practice and that Henry is comfortable enough with the younger players to pull them aside after a rep and coaching them up on specifics. The rest of the teaching Henry does by example on the field.
 
Either way, this is one unit Coyote fans will get to know sooner rather than later. Friday's scrimmage should serve as a nice introduction.
 
"I want to see us attack every situation correctly, and for those guys to have fun," said Warren. "The rest will take care of itself."