FIVE QUESTIONS WITH FOOTBALL ASSISTANT COACH ANDREW KIRKLAND
 
What is your favorite memory as a player?
 
Andrew Kirkland: My favorite memory as a player would have to be my junior year of high school.  We started off our season 0-2 with one of our star players getting hurt.  We rally together as a team with the help of a motivational speaker and went on a run.  We loss one more game mid-season and it almost knocked us out of the playoffs.  We ended up being the 8^th seed in the playoffs and beat the #1 seed who had been undefeated for I think the previous 3 years, then we went on to play Cherokee and had a high-scoring double overtime win.  It was now time for the championship game (which was postponed to a Tuesday due to weather).  The other team elected to have the game on their home field which we had played there a week prior for thanksgiving.  We played very well that game and I had an interception at the end of the first half to keep them from scoring.  The game ended 14-7 and we were the champs.  This was my first ever championship and I was very proud of myself and my team.  I went on to win 3 more championships at my time as player and coach at Colgate and am thankful to win the Big South this past season.  That junior year of high school really put the work hard, championship mentality in me and Eastern Regional High School it is where I learned the phrase from our Linebackers coach: "Don't talk about it, Be about it" and I still use it today.
 
You're a Jersey guy, how much pride do you have in a lot of New Jersey talent on the roster?
 
AK: As a jersey guy, I have a lot of pride in NJ football.  Over my time playing in high school, recruiting the state, and now coaching in the state I have seen a lot of good players and teams here.  I had a lot of rivalries in all sports against the likes of Shawnee and Cherokee so to have players from those schools on our roster really excites me.  I never got the opportunity to play against the northern schools but have coached a few players from North jersey at other schools and they were great, which excites me about coaching the guys we have now.  Erik Massey is the 5^th kid that I have had the opportunity to coach from Bergen Catholic and I know they have great football.  I've also coached a number of guys from the shore or my years so I know there is good football throughout the state, and having the ability to bring kids from all over the state to Monmouth is great.
 
What's one thing that sets Monmouth apart from other similar schools?
 
AK: The thing that sets Monmouth apart from other similar schools is the Athletic Department, especially Dr. McNeil and Coach Callahan.  Yes, the location is amazing, and it's a great education. But what other similar school has a head football coach that started a program, made it successful, won championships, and evolved its young men to better themselves as people for the last 28 years?  I have learned a lot in the last 5 plus years working under him.  There are a number of football coaches and coaches from other sports that have been at Monmouth for a number of years.  The love these people have for the university and athletics is amazing.  It certainly helps when you have a great Athletic Director in Marilyn McNeil, who understands what we go through as coaches and is willing to stand up and fight for us (even when we don't know it is happening).  She provides great support for all the programs here and I think that brings our athletic community closer.  The growing support from one team to another team is amazing.  Anytime another coach sees me with a recruit on campus they always come over to say hello which certainly makes the recruit and family feel welcomed.  Big s/o especially to the Men's basketball staff for showing my recruits some love.
 
You have a veteran squad coming back, who are some of the linebackers that could be featured and what are their strengths?
 
AK: I am looking forward to the next season which the crew I have coming back at Linebacker.  From last season I graduate a four-year player in Evan Powell who started all last season minus 2 games when he was injured.  We did have some guys step up in his absence and I am looking to forward to what they can do.  You are certainly going to see more growth and big hits from DaQuan Grimes.  He will be our leader in the LB core and one of the leaders on defense.  He is a student of the game and I think would make for a pretty good coach one day.  Last year he was an all-league caliber player and our MVP on defense and he has the potential to be better!  Dejaun Cooper is another guy you should see a lot from.  He will be another four-year player who plays a big role on our defense and in special teams.  His is a great athlete who keeps getting better every year.  Allowing for him to get back to what he loves and rush off the edge a few times, really let his energy and emotions show.  Solomon Manning is another guy who grew from last year.  He is an extremely hard worker and the things are really starting to click with him this offseason.  He is a very physical kid that is going to compete for playing time. His energy can be infectious.    We also have a bunch of young guys and new guys that could make some waves this year.  Tyler Delgado really picked things up as a freshman playing mostly on special teams but also as a back up LB.  He really showed his progress over the year.  He is a smart kid who has a lot of upside.  With the ability to play all 3 LB positions I think he will be a special player.  Ben Joseph, Matt Griffin, and Eddie Hahn are a few other names you could hear about on special teams or in the rotation. Eddie and Matt are extremely smart and have the ability to put themselves in the proper place to make a play, we just have to see what they can do as soon as we start up.  Ben is fully healed from his injury a year ago and will be rearing to go once the reps come, another physical player that shows ability to run.    We pride ourselves on being runners and hitters so I hope that's what she show next season.
 
What is your favorite thing to do with a day or two off?
 
AK: Days off are certainly hard to come by, but when I do have a day off I like to spend it with family and friends.  It can be working out, playing games, or just a random hang out.  Since moving back to Jersey and being on the shore, I really do enjoy cookouts, backyard games, rooftop hangouts, and chilling by the beach.  Since I'm here I have to enjoy the shore life!
 
Andrew Kirkland begins his sixth season working with the Hawk linebackers. Last season he guided a formidable starting group that accounted for over 250 tackles, 30 tackles for a loss and seven turnovers. Da'Quan Grimes led the Hawks with 115 tackles, 13.5 for a loss, six pass breakups and three forced fumbles.