After enduring its worst season in program history last year, the Stony Brook football team will look to get back on track in 2024 with a new voice at the helm.

In 2023, nothing went right for the Seawolves. Following a season when it went just 2-9 overall and 1-7 in Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) play, Stony Brook was winless in 10 tries last season, which prompted the firing of longtime head coach Chuck Priore just one season removed from signing a three-year extension.

The decision to dismiss their coach of 18 years led the Seawolves to Billy Cosh. Though the first-year head coach is still adapting to the role, Cosh has plenty of experience coaching at the collegiate level. Over the past four seasons, he served as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for Virginia Military Institute (VMI) during the 2020 and 2021 seasons, Richmond in 2022 and Western Michigan last year. With Cosh’s play calling, each offense finished fifth or better in points per game in their respective conferences.

Despite not coaching a game for the team yet, the players have already bought into Cosh’s system and the adjustments he has made in short order.

“I think what [Cosh] and his staff have really done a great job in is leading by example,” defensive tackle and team captain Taylor Bolesta said during a press conference on July 24. “Every day when we come in, we have certain things that we do and it’s our way now. Getting everybody from the bottom third of the team all the way up to the top on the same page is the biggest change.”

Cosh’s main focus when coming in was attention to detail. The coaching staff spent an ample amount of time teaching the basics, whether it be tackling, running the ball, proper positioning, blocking, pursuit or limiting pre-snap penalties.

“The schemes are the schemes,” Cosh said in an interview with The Statesman. “We had to clean up a lot of things with little things. Hopefully all those things will make us a better team.”

Even with the coaching change, Stony Brook’s perception around the conference has gone unchanged due to its major struggles over the previous two seasons. The Seawolves were picked to finish last in the 2024 CAA football preseason coaches poll.

After winning just two games over the last two years, Cosh felt the prediction was deserved. Though he did use it as a motivator for his players when the poll was released, Cosh has taught his team to block the outside noise.

“It sounds corny, but we’re a process oriented team,” Cosh said. “If you worry about the outcome, you’re not going to be worth crap. We’re worried about preparing the right way. I want us to be more competitive, tougher, to play harder. If we do those things, the outcome will be what we need it to be.”

Joining Cosh in his journey to right the ship will be Anthony Davis II, who will serve as Stony Brook’s third offensive coordinator in as many years. Prior to earning his first shot at calling plays, Davis II spent the past five seasons as a running backs coach and worked alongside Cosh during stops at Western Michigan and VMI.

Davis II will have his work cut out for him, as the Seawolves ranked last in the CAA in scoring offense (15.2 points per game), second to last in total offense (314.2 yards per game) and rushing (104.1 yards per game) and 10th in passing (210.1 yards per game) this past season. However, now there is reason for optimism due to the high level of competition in each position group.

Beginning with the man under center, there are three quarterbacks vying for the starting job. One option for Stony Brook is quarterback Casey Case, who started nine of the team’s 10 games last season. Despite showing flashes of promise with a firm grasp on the starting job a year ago, Case experienced growing pains during his first real taste of collegiate football. His 1,715 passing yards were the fourth fewest in the CAA and his 54.9% completion rate was the second lowest. Case also threw just 10 touchdown passes, which were tied for the second fewest in the conference. Additionally, he threw the joint-fourth-most interceptions (10) in the CAA.

Case’s main competitor comes in the form of quarterback Tyler Knoop, who was acquired in the transfer portal. As the starter for Georgetown last year, Knoop finished third in the Patriot League in both completion percentage (63.9%) and passing yards (2,310). Furthermore, he tacked on 19 touchdown passes but had turnover issues, as he threw 10 picks. Unlike Case, Knoop brings an element as a runner. He ran for 163 net rushing yards and added a pair of touchdowns on the ground in 2023.

Though unlikely, quarterback Malachi Marshall is a dark-horse candidate to earn the role. Over his final two seasons at South Pointe High School in Rock Hill, S.C., the true freshman threw for 4,100 yards and racked up 36 touchdowns. 

“I’ve honestly seen a lot of good football from all of them,” tight end and co-captain Cal Redman said. “I’m confident in whoever [the starting quarterback] is. I know the coaches are going to make the right decision, I know whoever gets it will play their ass off and I’m really excited.”

Whoever is named the starting quarterback will be without one of the Seawolves’ top weapons from a season ago. On Tuesday, it was confirmed that wide receiver Anthony Johnson — who earned a 2023 All-CAA Third Team Offense nod and was voted onto the 2024 CAA Preseason All-Conference Team — is no longer enrolled at Stony Brook or a part of the football program. Last year, Johnson ranked fourth in the conference in receptions (59) and eighth in yards (714) while catching three touchdowns.

Nonetheless, the Seawolves still possess solid depth at the receiver position. Perhaps the most intriguing option at the position is transfer wide receiver Jasiah Williams. The newly-appointed co-captain played in just four games for Richmond last season after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear during spring ball. However, he found a lot of success in 2022 with Cosh calling plays. Williams led the conference in receptions (82) alongside accumulating 609 receiving yards and four touchdowns.

Though he had his doubts about transferring to Stony Brook, Williams’ relationship with Cosh played a big role in ultimately making his final decision.

“Overall, [Cosh] is a great guy,” Williams said. “I know that he truly wants what’s best for me, which can be a bit cloudy since we all know that the NCAA is a business. I feel like he prides himself on being a great person above everything, so that’s what certainly drew me to come follow him.”

Filling out the wideout room will be wide receivers Jayce Freeman, Rahmon Hart Jr., Dez Williams and Chance Knox. Freeman ranked second on the team last season with 388 receiving yards on 24 catches. Hart Jr. racked up 99 yards on 12 catches, while Williams accumulated 74 on seven. All three players scored one touchdown each.

Knox is another transfer who played for Cosh. In seven games with VMI last season, Knox tallied 35 catches for 369 yards. Cosh, Bolesta and left guard and co-captain Niko Papic all identified him as a potential breakout candidate. Moreover, wide receiver R.J. Lamarre will receive some looks.

In regards to the offensive line, the group will largely remain the same albeit a few position changes, which bodes well for the Seawolves considering they allowed the third-fewest sacks (18) in the CAA a season ago. Along with a fully-healthy Papic making the shift from right to left guard, Charles Allen III will slot in at left tackle, while Collin Tunc will slide over from left guard to center. On the other side, Kollin Melendez will move from right tackle to right guard and Damion Powell — a transfer out of Southwestern Oklahoma State — will start at right tackle. Offensive lineman Hunter Barlow — who was last year’s starting center — will mix in as well.

Despite being a part of the starting five, Papic believes the line’s biggest strength is its depth.

“I think we try to focus on our backups stepping up to the plate just in case anything happens,” Papic said. “We try to focus on everyone knowing the playbook, understanding what to do and blocking.”

This year, the offensive line will be blocking for what Cosh believes to be a deep running back room despite the loss of Ross Tallarico. Running back Roland Dempster will be back as the lead runner out of the backfield with hopes of staying healthy this season. Though he missed a pair of games due to injury, Dempster led the team with 93 touches, 408 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns last season.

Running backs Johnny Martin and Shakhi Carson are also returning. Martin gained 140 yards on 35 attempts last season with a touchdown, while Carson rushed for 171 yards on 42 tries. Jayden Cook will move back to running back after notching 346 yards and leading the team in touchdown receptions (four) as a wide receiver last season. Running back Brandon Boria will also have an increased role.

Redman and tight end Cole Bunicci will round out the offense. A year ago, Redman set career highs in all major offensive categories with 15 catches, 210 receiving yards and a touchdown. Bunicci tallied 124 yards on 13 catches.

On the defensive side of the ball, Scott Lewis was brought in as the defensive coordinator. Like Davis II on offense, the Seawolves hope Lewis can provide some stability for their defense, as he marks their third defensive coordinator in the last three seasons. Last year, Lewis coached Saint Francis University to the third-best total defense (354.6) in the Northeast Conference and fifth-best scoring defense (33).

Bolesta had high praise for the job Lewis has done thus far.

“I think coach Lewis has developed a scheme that really fits our personnel well,” Bolesta said in an interview with The Statesman. “I think that the biggest change is cultural for us. We really emphasize pursuit, running to the ball and aggressiveness. I think that’s what our culture is going to be moving forward.”

In 2023, Stony Brook’s defense ranked dead last in the CAA in scoring defense (39.2), total defense (470.7) and passing defense (288.3). Additionally, the Seawolves’ run defense was the third worst in the conference (182.4).

Despite its previous struggles, Stony Brook’s defense also possesses some potential bright spots coming into the 2024 season, specifically with its front seven. Headlining the group is Bolesta, who racked up 20 total tackles, four tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, a forced fumble and pass breakup this past season.

Along with Bolesta, defensive tackle Rushawn Lawrence is back and fully healthy this season after playing just four games last year. Defensive tackle Dyshier Clary — who stepped in last season for Lawrence — will also have an impact. Clary co-led the team with 4.5 tackles for loss a season ago while also adding 2.5 sacks and 25 total tackles.

On the edge, defensive edge and newly-minted co-captain Rodney Faulk is also healthy after being banged up last year. In seven games, he racked up 4.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, 15 total tackles and a fumble recovery. 

Opposite of Faulk will be defensive end Anthony Williams — the Seawolves’ sack leader a season ago with four. He also notched 4.5 tackles for loss and 24 total tackles. Defensive edge Kris Caine — a transfer from Old Dominion — will also factor in on the pass rush. Defensive lineman Franco Milano figures to see some playing time as well.

“I think our defensive line is one of the bright spots of our team,” Cosh said. “It’s a pretty good room. They play hard, they’re consistent. We have depth and a lot of guys that can make plays.”

Stony Brook’s biggest loss to the transfer portal on defense is middle linebacker Aidan Kaler, a 2023 All-CAA Honorable Mention and the 2023 team leader in tackles (82). However, Cosh is confident that linebackers A.J. Roberts and Anthony Ferrelli can fill the void on the inside. Roberts missed all of last season due to injury but made an impact in 2022 by tallying 15 total tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and a forced fumble.

Ferrelli came into last season as a backup but ended up being a main contributor on defense while filling in for Roberts. He broke out by totaling 31 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, two sacks and pass breakups and a fumble recovery. However, with an even bigger role this year, Cosh and a number of players pinpointed him as someone who can find another gear this season.

Factoring in on the outside will be linebackers Clarens Legagneur, Tyson McCloud and Chayce Chalmers. Legagneur tallied an interception to go with 28 total tackles, a sack and 4.5 tackles for loss last season, while McCloud notched 36 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and four passes defended with Dartmouth. Chalmers is new to the position after transitioning there from safety this offseason.

To improve the secondary, Stony Brook brought in cornerback Deshawn Jones Jr. from Bowling Green, where he totaled 21 tackles and a pair of picks last season. Cosh also recruited cornerback Rudy Silvera from Long Island University to help add depth. Additionally, cornerback Miles McGoy should see in-game action this season as well. Cornerbacks Jeffrey Davis Jr., Willensky Nicolas, Cashton Haffery and Cam Johnson are also returning.

At safety, Jalen Hoyle — who finished sixth on the team with 33 total tackles last season — Jordan Jackson and Calvin Harrison are all set to get playing time. Along with the aforementioned trio, Cosh brought in safety Shamoun Duncan-Niusulu from Bowling Green to bolster the team’s depth at the position.

Regarding special teams, kickers Spencer Biscoe and Enda Kirby are competing for the starting kicker spot. Rounding out the roster is punter Clayton Taylor, who was placed on the 2024 Football Championship Subdivision Punter of the Year Award Watch List.

With new leaders taking over the reins, the Seawolves will start their season in Huntington, W. Va. this Saturday, when they take on Marshall. Opening kickoff is set for 5 p.m.