SEMO NOTEBOOK: Leadership a focus for football program, positions shaking out

When it comes to Southeast Missouri State football coach Tom Matukewicz's brick-by-brick approach, leadership might be more than just a brick -- it might be the mortar that holds the bricks together. That's good news for the Redhawks as they prepare for the 2016 season.

One of the biggest strides the program has taken, Matukewicz believes, is in the leadership category. That's something for which he points the finger at himself, not just for guiding improvement but also for not getting his locker room where it needed to be a year ago.

"On the culture and leadership, I really like where the team is at," Matukewicz said. "We've been going through a book together and they're really buying in to that. I've seen some evidence of people stepping up and leading, and not just the coaches. From that standpoint, we're way ahead of where we were a year ago.

Southeast Missouri State outside linebacker Chad Meredith answers questions during football media day Sunday, Aug. 14, 2016 at the Show Me Center.Trent Singer

"The thing I learned about last year was you don't get what you demand, you get what you create. The culture I had last year was not good enough, so I had to really look at how I was going about teaching it. ... You have to build actual skills."

Part of that offseason development of leadership skills has come through a book study. The reviews have been positive.

"We're reading a book -- our whole team is -- and it's about leadership," senior defensive back Eriq Moore said. "It's helping us leaders become better leaders."

The book is "Above the Line" by Ohio State coach Urban Meyer. Matukewicz sat down following last season and read a handful of books, and it was Meyers' lessons that struck him most as not only something his players could learn from, but also shared many of the same concepts he is trying to install at Southeast.

"I think the fact it's a football coach saying these things really connects with them," Matukewicz said.

"I told them, 'I can give this book to each of you for $16. Do you know how much money it costs to have Urban Meyer come speak?'"

Matukewicz believes he's already seeing signs of the book's value.

"As an example, last year if we had a fight you'd hear the coaches breaking it up; now you hear the players breaking it up," Matukewicz said. "We've really grown there, so hopefully we can have that consistent leadership through the season. You've got classes, you've got practice, you've got all these things that can affect your preparation, and leadership is the one that's got to keep us focused."

RB dominoes

At the end of last season, strength and depth at running back appeared to be a highlight of the returning group of players. Still, the spring-time dismissal of DeMichael Jackson, who was set to return from a season-ending injury, didn't appear to be the type of thing that would prompt a coaching staff to force more attrition at the position.

Southeast Missouri State running back Cameron Sanders answers questions during football media day Sunday, Aug. 14, 2016 at the Show Me Center.Trent Singer

Yet Matukewicz and his staff decided to move Tremane McCullough, who broke out last year with 1,100 rushing yards, to wide receiver.

As it turned out, the dominoes just fell in a way that gave the coaches some options. Part of that was the incoming transfer of Missouri's Chase Abbington, originally a highly-recruited player out of Fort Zumwalt South.

"He's done a good job. He didn't come into camp in shape, so we're trying to get him in shape," Matukewicz said. "He put the ball on the ground one time in practice so we need to make sure he creates some better habits with the ball. But he certainly has a gear. He's a 200-pound kid who's really talented, we've just got to see if we can get him ready here in two weeks, because he certainly can add a lot of value."

The rest of the group offers different types of skills, about which the coaches feel good.

"We may not have a 2,000-yard rusher back there, but we have some really good backs," Matukewicz said. "I'll tell you, Will Young is tough to tackle and he's got great vision; he's great at pass pro[tection]. Cam Sanders is a touchdown waiting to happen. He's a high 4.4 guy who can really roll. With Chase, you just feel like you have a lot of depth there where you feel like we can get Tremane out there 1-on-1 to where he's best in space.

"Tremane has been a good move to wideout. He's been able to make some really outstanding plays."

QB battle

After former Jackson standout Dante Vandeven found himself Southeast's starting quarterback and threw for 1,568 yards 11 touchdowns and seven interceptions on 155-of-250 passing -- and rushed for another 421 yards and six TDs -- it looked like the Redhawks might have their quarterback to build around. As the team enters the latter stages of its preseason camp, Matukewicz is still looking for Vandeven to prove that to him.

The appearance of junior college transfer Jesse Hosket on the scene has put Vandeven in the midst of a quarterback battle, and it is one that is still going hot and heavy. It's also one the coaches hope is coming to an end.

Matukewicz said during Sunday's media day that he expects to make a decision on a starting quarterback following Saturday's final preseason scrimmage.

"They're certainly different, but both have had success. Dante, we really want him to make great decisions with the football. Try to make plays within the pocket. His default is to try to make plays with his legs, and in college football that's tough. So we really want him to grow there.

"I think Jesse has picked up the offense and is improving. He has a really good arm. Some of the throws he made yesterday were pretty outstanding, but then there are some things I know he wished he had back. Right now they both need to take that next step, and that's kind of what I'm looking for Saturday -- who is really taking that next step? And then we've got to figure it out."

Vandeven, for his part, talked about feeling more comfortable in Year 2 of his college career, especially when it comes to his critical role as a leader.

"I fit into my role as a leader on this team," Vandeven said. "Last year I just kind of got thrown in there and had to go along with it. This year I'm trying to grow as a leader for this team. That's probably the biggest difference [from a year ago]."

A week from now we should know if he's done enough to take the first snap against Memphis.