Indiana University Athletics
Putting the ‘Special’ in Indiana’s Special Teams
4/18/2022 2:21:00 PM | Football
By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Optimistic? You'd better believe Kasey Teegardin is, and for good reason.
Indiana's special teams coordinator has two of the best in the Big Ten in kicker Charles Campbell and punter James Evans. He has another strong kicker in Chris Freeman.
He insists there's no better long snapper in the country than Sean Wracher.
Then there's all the potential game-changing talent among the punt and kick returners. Last year, D.J. Matthews Jr. returned a punt 81 yards for a touchdown, and might have returned more if he hadn't torn an ACL early on.
He's on pace to return to full health next season.
"I feel really good about our depth at punt returner," Teegardin says.
The nine-year coaching veteran is driven to ensure the Hoosiers punt and kickoff coverage rate among the Big Ten's best. They blocked three kicks last season.
"We have shown the ability to make game-changing plays, block some punts and score some touchdowns on special teams," Teegardin says.
"We have to continue to build off those positives while reinforcing the consistency of what we are trying to do in those coverage units."
IU did give up a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against Cincinnati last season, a play that still bothers Teegardin.
"We had the one big one that we let up that cost us the game in my opinion," he says, "and that starts with me.
"That is an attitude-and-effort play. Those guys have to understand the situation that we are in. I have to coach that better, get them to understand that you only get one shot at this and when that ball is kicked, you are flying down the field and wrecking anything that comes in your path and making plays.
"We can do it, but to do it consistently is going to be critical for us."
When it comes to special teams individuals, let's start with Campbell, who in his first two seasons made 12-of-13 field goals, including 3-for-3 from beyond 50 yards. He also was 25-for-25 on extra points.
Last year, his field-goal accuracy slumped to 13-for-18. He did make a 55-yarder against Maryland.
"Charles did not have the year he expected to have, none of us expected to have," Teegardin says. "He has to be more consistent, for sure, in the way that he approaches things and prepares for when his opportunity is called.
"We put him in some tough kicks last year, but he had the 55-yarder at Maryland. We feel like he can handle those situations. We're excited about his leg power."
Speaking of leg power, Freeman is making a big push to win the kickoff job. Teegardin calls him, "a pleasant surprise."
"His leg strength has been tremendous."
Evans had a strong freshman season after coming from New Zealand. Despite never having played football or even visited the United States until arriving in Bloomington last year, he averaged 41.9 yards a punt (the second-best average by a freshman in the country), with 12 of more than 50 yards, including a long of 62. Thirteen finished inside the 20-yard line.
However, Evans also had several poor punts, especially under pressure, that Teegardin wants cleaned up.
"We are really excited about him coming back," he says. "It's going to be monstrous for him.
"He is right where he needs to be, but he has to be more consistent."
Specifically, Teegardin says, "When you look at how we punted last year, when we needed it, it wasn't what we needed. That's the biggest thing for him.
"When we are backed up and punting out of our end zone, he has got to get a good ball off. That is going to be key for him that we continue to put him in those pressure situations and understand the elements that he is kicking in."
Then there is Wracher, who has played up to his five-star high school rating.
"I stand by my statements that I think he is the best long snapper in the country," Teegardin says. "I am really challenging him to take the next step. He was a little inconsistent last year, as we all were, so owning that and trying to give him more leadership."
With a large number of new special teams players, Teegardin spent the spring focused on fundamentals and technique.
"It comes down to our attitude and effort and how we are approaching our individual techniques, our fundamentals that we do every day."
Teegardin has no problem putting the heat on himself.
"I have to do a better job of making sure those guys are ready to go every week."
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Optimistic? You'd better believe Kasey Teegardin is, and for good reason.
Indiana's special teams coordinator has two of the best in the Big Ten in kicker Charles Campbell and punter James Evans. He has another strong kicker in Chris Freeman.
He insists there's no better long snapper in the country than Sean Wracher.
Then there's all the potential game-changing talent among the punt and kick returners. Last year, D.J. Matthews Jr. returned a punt 81 yards for a touchdown, and might have returned more if he hadn't torn an ACL early on.
He's on pace to return to full health next season.
"I feel really good about our depth at punt returner," Teegardin says.
The nine-year coaching veteran is driven to ensure the Hoosiers punt and kickoff coverage rate among the Big Ten's best. They blocked three kicks last season.
"We have shown the ability to make game-changing plays, block some punts and score some touchdowns on special teams," Teegardin says.
"We have to continue to build off those positives while reinforcing the consistency of what we are trying to do in those coverage units."
IU did give up a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against Cincinnati last season, a play that still bothers Teegardin.
"We had the one big one that we let up that cost us the game in my opinion," he says, "and that starts with me.
"That is an attitude-and-effort play. Those guys have to understand the situation that we are in. I have to coach that better, get them to understand that you only get one shot at this and when that ball is kicked, you are flying down the field and wrecking anything that comes in your path and making plays.
"We can do it, but to do it consistently is going to be critical for us."
When it comes to special teams individuals, let's start with Campbell, who in his first two seasons made 12-of-13 field goals, including 3-for-3 from beyond 50 yards. He also was 25-for-25 on extra points.
Last year, his field-goal accuracy slumped to 13-for-18. He did make a 55-yarder against Maryland.
"Charles did not have the year he expected to have, none of us expected to have," Teegardin says. "He has to be more consistent, for sure, in the way that he approaches things and prepares for when his opportunity is called.
"We put him in some tough kicks last year, but he had the 55-yarder at Maryland. We feel like he can handle those situations. We're excited about his leg power."
Speaking of leg power, Freeman is making a big push to win the kickoff job. Teegardin calls him, "a pleasant surprise."
"His leg strength has been tremendous."
Evans had a strong freshman season after coming from New Zealand. Despite never having played football or even visited the United States until arriving in Bloomington last year, he averaged 41.9 yards a punt (the second-best average by a freshman in the country), with 12 of more than 50 yards, including a long of 62. Thirteen finished inside the 20-yard line.
However, Evans also had several poor punts, especially under pressure, that Teegardin wants cleaned up.
"We are really excited about him coming back," he says. "It's going to be monstrous for him.
"He is right where he needs to be, but he has to be more consistent."
Specifically, Teegardin says, "When you look at how we punted last year, when we needed it, it wasn't what we needed. That's the biggest thing for him.
"When we are backed up and punting out of our end zone, he has got to get a good ball off. That is going to be key for him that we continue to put him in those pressure situations and understand the elements that he is kicking in."
Then there is Wracher, who has played up to his five-star high school rating.
"I stand by my statements that I think he is the best long snapper in the country," Teegardin says. "I am really challenging him to take the next step. He was a little inconsistent last year, as we all were, so owning that and trying to give him more leadership."
With a large number of new special teams players, Teegardin spent the spring focused on fundamentals and technique.
"It comes down to our attitude and effort and how we are approaching our individual techniques, our fundamentals that we do every day."
Teegardin has no problem putting the heat on himself.
"I have to do a better job of making sure those guys are ready to go every week."
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