Monmouth Football: CAA Media Day Recap & Preseason Awards

During the 2025 CAA Football Media Day, Monmouth football’s head coach Kevin Callahan, along with safety Deuce Lee and quarterback Derek Robertson, discussed largely the Hawks’ high expectations for the upcoming season. Callahan highlighted the return of 14 starters, emphasizing the team’s veteran experience and their collective goal to win a championship. While acknowledging the strength of the offense, there’s a clear focus on improving the defense and maintaining a day-by-day approach to preparation and performance.

Monmouth Football: Aiming for Championship Gold in 2025

The League Winners’ own Thomas Christopher recently had the exclusive opportunity to sit down with Callahan, Robertson, and Lee during the team’s media day. Their conversation delved into the Hawks’ aspirations for the 2025 season.

Christopher’s questions cut right to the heart of the team’s ambitions, addressing their consistent offensive success that hasn’t yet translated into a championship title. He also explored Robertson’s evolving leadership as he prepares to guide the team, and got into the technical details of Lee’s preferred defensive back techniques. The insights from this discussion offer a compelling look at the team’s mindset heading into what they hope will be a breakout year.

Christopher targeted Monmouth’s offensive success, but the lack of championships achieved.

He stated, “despite having three consecutive offensive players of the year in the CAA, you guys haven’t been able to hit that final mark and hoist that championship trophy. What kind of hurdles do you have to jump through this year to get to that point for the program?”

Coach Callahan shared his insights on the transformative experience of joining a new conference. He emphasized that the transition brings about significant growth for the team, both on and off the field. He stated, “When Monmouth football joined the NEC back in 1994, it took the Hawks four years before we won the championship there, and then we transitioned to the Big South, and in our fourth year, we won the championship there, and this is our fourth year in the CAA, and we have high expectations for ourselves.”

Monmouth Football: Lee’s Preferred Technique

Shifting focus to the defensive side of the ball, Christopher then posed a specific question to Lee: “There’s a lot of conversations this earlier this year, you know, between Coach Prime and Asante Samuel regarding the t-step technique versus the bicycle stepping technique on close outs, as a defensive back. What defensive back technique do you prefer?”

Lee’s response offered insight into his approach to covering receivers and disrupting passing plays, shedding light on the strategic nuances he brings to the Monmouth defense. When asked about his preferred defensive back technique, Lee emphasized prioritizing whatever method gets him to the play faster. His focus, he explained, is on immediate impact and quickly closing gaps to make a play on the ball.

 

Monmouth’s Robertson Named CAA Preseason Offensive Player of the Year

Monmouth is making a habit of producing top-tier offensive talent, and quarterback Derek Robertson is the latest Hawk to earn significant recognition. On Wednesday morning, the CAA Football league office announced that Robertson has been named the 2025 CAA Football Preseason Offensive Player of the Year.

This marks a notable achievement for Robertson, who was also the recipient of the 2024 CAA Offensive Player of the Year postseason award. His preseason nod follows in the footsteps of former Hawk Jaden Shirden, who received the same honor in 2023, making Robertson the second Monmouth player to achieve this distinction.

Robertson’s selection highlights a strong showing for the Hawks, with eight Monmouth players named to the Preseason All-CAA Team and Honorable Mentions list. This is the university’s best representation since joining the conference in 2022, signaling high expectations for the team in the upcoming season.

Robertson was undeniably a focal point of the press conference, clearly showcasing his ambition to lead his team to a championship in 2025. His determination to guide the Hawks to a title was a recurring theme in his remarks. Robertson delivered a record-breaking season in 2024 with 3,937 passing yards and 31 touchdowns, discussed his preparations for the upcoming year, and the high expectations surrounding the Monmouth offense. His presence underscores the Hawks’ ambitions, as he looks to build on his All-American and CAA Offensive Player of the Year honors from last season.