Lehigh Football's 2023 Season Analysis and Future Team Development Strategies
As I sit down to analyze Lehigh Football's 2023 season, I can't help but reflect on how much this program means to me. Having followed Mountain Hawks football for over a decade, I've seen the program's highs and lows, and this past season was particularly fascinating in terms of team development and chemistry building. The coaching staff's approach to integrating players stood out to me, especially when considering Coach Cone's comments about player immersion. That quote about the Inspire camp and New Zealand game really stuck with me - "The fact that he did the whole Inspire camp and into the New Zealand game, we thought that was good enough for his immersion into the team, wanted to create chemistry with the team, and still be part of it, and let his teammates know that he's still a part of it." This philosophy seems central to understanding Lehigh's team development strategies moving forward.
Looking at the 2023 season statistics, the Mountain Hawks finished with a 6-5 record, which honestly feels about right given the transitional nature of the team. What impressed me most was how the coaching staff managed to maintain team cohesion despite some significant roster changes. The offense showed flashes of brilliance, averaging 28.3 points per game, while the defense really came together in the second half of the season, allowing only 18.7 points in their final five contests. These numbers might not jump off the page, but they demonstrate meaningful progress in the team's development trajectory. I particularly liked how the coaching staff handled the quarterback situation - they didn't rush their freshman prospect into starting but followed that immersion philosophy Cone mentioned, giving him meaningful practice reps and gradual game exposure.
The future team development strategies for Lehigh Football need to build on this foundation of chemistry and gradual integration. From my perspective, the program should double down on international experiences like the New Zealand game, which apparently contributed significantly to team bonding. I'd love to see them schedule more of these cultural exchange games - they're not just about football, but about building the kind of camaraderie that translates to fourth-quarter comebacks. The Mountain Hawks lost three games by less than a touchdown last season, and I firmly believe that better team chemistry could have flipped at least two of those results. Their red zone efficiency of 68% needs improvement, and I think that comes down to trust and coordination that develops through shared experiences like those Cone described.
What really excites me about Lehigh's future is their recruiting approach. They're targeting players who buy into this team-first mentality, and the results are starting to show. The 2024 recruiting class includes 12 three-star prospects, which is impressive for a Patriot League program. But more importantly, they're focusing on character and fit - the kind of players who will benefit from that gradual immersion process. I've spoken with several current players, and they consistently mention how the coaching staff's approach to development makes them feel valued and part of something bigger than themselves.
As we look ahead to the 2024 season, I'm optimistic about Lehigh Football's direction. The team needs to improve its rushing attack (they averaged just 3.8 yards per carry last season) and generate more turnovers on defense (only 14 takeaways in 2023), but the foundation is there. If they continue prioritizing team chemistry and strategic player development like they did with that Inspire camp approach, I believe we could see Lehigh contending for the Patriot League title within two seasons. The program's commitment to building genuine connections among players, rather than just focusing on X's and O's, could become their competitive advantage in an increasingly talent-driven FCS landscape.
