San Diego Aztecs Football: 5 Key Strategies for a Winning Season Ahead
As I sit here watching the San Diego Aztecs football team prepare for their upcoming season, I can't help but reflect on what it truly takes to transform a promising roster into a championship-caliber team. Having followed college football for over two decades and analyzed countless programs, I've come to recognize certain patterns that separate successful teams from the rest. The Aztecs have shown flashes of brilliance in recent years, but consistency has been their Achilles' heel. This season feels different though—there's a palpable energy around the program that suggests something special might be brewing. Let me share what I believe could be the five key strategies that will determine whether this becomes a breakthrough season or another case of what might have been.
First and foremost, the offensive scheme needs to evolve beyond last year's predictable play-calling. I've always been a firm believer that innovation separates good teams from great ones, and frankly, the Aztecs' offense became too reliant on basic run plays between the tackles last season. Offensive coordinator Jeff Horton must incorporate more RPO elements and creative passing concepts that leverage quarterback Jalen Mayden's dual-threat capabilities. From what I've observed during spring practices, they're experimenting with more motion and misdirection plays, which I absolutely love. The numbers don't lie—last season, the Aztecs ranked 98th nationally in passing offense, averaging just 198 yards per game through the air. That simply won't cut it in the Mountain West Conference this year. They need to push that number to at least 250 yards per game while maintaining their ground dominance.
Defensively, it's all about generating more turnovers. The Aztecs finished last season with a disappointing 14 takeaways total, which placed them near the bottom of FBS programs. In my experience studying championship teams, there's almost always a direct correlation between turnover margin and win percentage. Defensive coordinator Kurt Mattix needs to implement more aggressive coverage schemes and emphasize strip techniques during practice. I'd personally like to see more press coverage from the cornerbacks and creative blitz packages that confuse opposing quarterbacks. The defensive line, anchored by veteran Jonah Tavai, must improve their quarterback pressure—they managed only 22 sacks last season, a number that should be closer to 35 given their talent level. Creating more negative plays and giving the offense short fields could easily translate to 2-3 additional wins this season.
Special teams often gets overlooked, but I've seen it make or break seasons time and again. The Aztecs' kicking game was inconsistent at best last year, with placekicker Jack Browning connecting on just 72% of his field goal attempts. In close games, those missed opportunities become magnified. The return game also lacked explosiveness, averaging a pedestrian 18.3 yards per kickoff return. Special teams coordinator Doug Deakin needs to dedicate more practice time to these units and identify playmakers who can change field position. I'm particularly interested to see if freshman wide receiver Mekhi Shaw can bring some electricity to the return game—his high school tape showed remarkable elusiveness that could translate well to special teams.
Player development, especially among the sophomore class, will be crucial. Having watched this program closely, I've noticed that the most successful Aztecs teams typically feature significant contributions from third and fourth-year players who've developed within the system. This year's sophomore class includes several potential impact players like linebacker Zyrus Fiaseu and offensive tackle Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson who need to take the next step. The strength and conditioning staff, led by Adam Hall, must ensure these players add functional strength while maintaining their athleticism. I'd estimate that proper development of these second-year players could improve the team's overall performance by 15-20% compared to last season.
Finally, the mental aspect of the game cannot be underestimated. Head coach Brady Hoke has built a culture of toughness, but I've wondered at times if the team possesses the necessary resilience to overcome adversity during games. The Aztecs lost three games by one score last season, suggesting that late-game execution and mental fortitude need improvement. Implementing more competitive, high-pressure scenarios in practice would help prepare the team for tight fourth-quarter situations. Leadership from veteran players like Mayden and safety Cedarious Barfield will be essential in maintaining composure during critical moments. From what I've gathered speaking with people around the program, the team has placed increased emphasis on mental conditioning this offseason, which I believe could pay significant dividends.
Looking at the bigger picture, the Aztecs have all the ingredients for a special season if they can execute these strategies effectively. The schedule presents both challenges and opportunities, with key conference matchups against Boise State and Fresno State likely determining their championship aspirations. Having followed this program through its ups and downs, I'm genuinely optimistic about what this team can achieve. The foundation is there—the coaching staff has experience, the roster features legitimate talent, and the program tradition speaks for itself. Now it's about translating potential into performance week after week. If they can nail these five areas, I wouldn't be surprised to see the Aztecs competing for the Mountain West title come December. Absolutely, if possible—this team has the capability to exceed expectations and deliver one of the most memorable seasons in recent program history.
