Can Lehigh Football Reclaim Its Championship Legacy This Season?
As I sit here watching the Lehigh Mountain Hawks prepare for their upcoming season, I can't help but wonder if this might finally be the year they reclaim that championship glory we've been missing for what feels like forever. Having followed this program closely for over a decade, I've seen both the triumphant Patriot League championships and the disappointing seasons that followed. There's something different about this year's squad though - a certain energy that reminds me of the 2016 and 2017 championship teams.
The recent comments from Coach Cone about team chemistry really struck me. When he mentioned how important it was for players to complete "the whole Inspire camp and into the New Zealand game" to build that crucial team immersion, it reminded me of what made those championship teams special. I remember watching the 2016 team during their preseason camp - the way they moved as a single unit, the almost telepathic connection between quarterback and receivers. That didn't happen by accident. Cone's emphasis on creating chemistry through complete immersion tells me this staff understands what's been missing lately.
Looking at the numbers from last season, Lehigh finished with a disappointing 4-7 record, but what the stats don't show is how many close games they lost in the fourth quarter. Three of those losses were by less than a touchdown, and having covered this team for years, I can tell you that comes down to conditioning and mental toughness. The decision to include international experience like the New Zealand game in their preparation shows me they're addressing exactly that. International games force players to adapt to different styles and conditions, building the kind of resilience that wins championships.
What really excites me about this approach is how it helps develop leadership throughout the roster. When Cone talked about wanting players to "let his teammates know that he's still a part of it," that resonated with my observations of successful teams. Championship squads aren't just led by captains and coaches - they have leaders at every position group. The immersion process Cone described creates opportunities for those emerging leaders to step up. I've noticed several players who seem to be embracing this role during spring practices, particularly in the defensive backfield where communication is everything.
The Mountain Hawks face some serious challenges though, and I won't sugarcoat it. Their schedule includes facing Fordham, who put up 38 points against them last year, and Holy Cross, the defending champions who've dominated the league recently. But here's what gives me hope - Lehigh returns 16 starters from last year's team, including 8 on offense. That experience, combined with this new focus on team chemistry through complete immersion, could be the difference in those close games that slipped away last season.
I'm particularly optimistic about the offense, which averaged 28 points per game last year despite the losing record. With quarterback Dante Perri entering his third year as starter and having participated in the full immersion program Cone emphasized, I expect to see much better decision-making in crucial moments. The offensive line returns four starters, which should provide the protection needed for this offense to really click. If they can improve their red zone efficiency from last year's 65% conversion rate to something closer to 75%, that alone could turn several of those close losses into wins.
Defensively, there's work to do after giving up 32 points per game last season, but the coaching staff has brought in some promising transfers who went through the same immersion process. The New Zealand trip in particular seems to have accelerated the integration of these new players. I watched several practices where the communication and trust among defensive players appeared significantly improved from last year. That kind of development doesn't always show up in spring statistics, but it's exactly what separates good teams from great ones.
As the season approaches, I find myself more optimistic than I've been in years. The combination of returning experience and this renewed focus on team chemistry through complete immersion gives Lehigh a legitimate shot at returning to the top of the Patriot League. It won't be easy - nothing worth achieving ever is - but for the first time in several seasons, I believe the foundation for championship success is there. The pieces are falling into place, and if everything clicks, we might just witness the return of Lehigh football to its rightful place among the conference elite.
