Toreros hoping new coaching staff, scheme can yield old results

The operative word for the University of San Diego’s football team as it prepares for the program’s 61^st season is “new.”

There’s a new head coach in Brandon Moore, a standout linebacker on Oklahoma’s 2001 national championship team. There’s new offensive and defensive coordinators. And in Grant Sergent, there will be a new starting quarterback.

The Toreros are hoping all that change translates into something old — a return to USD once again dominating the Pioneer Football League. In the nine-season span from 2011-2019, USD won or shared the PFL title eight times.

Since then, the Toreros have finishing second, tied for first and fifth in the league. USD tumbled to 5-5 last year, the program’s first non-winning season since 2010. That led to a change in coaches, the 80-year-old Dale Lindsey replaced by the 44-year-old Moore.

Some 110 players reported to summer camp Monday and the first practice unfolds 10 a.m. Thursday. Here are five pressing questions about the Toreros, who have been picked to finish fourth in the Pioneer League:

Brandon Moore was hired this spring from Colorado School of Mines.

(K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

What will be new coaching staff’s impact?

Matt Aponte, the Toreros’ new offensive coordinator, was USD’s tight ends coach the past two seasons. New coaches Mike McGlinchey and Isaac Carter are co-defensive coordinators. Moore, though, will be the man calling defensive stunts.

From scheme standpoints, there will not be drastic changes, particularly on offense. USD has been running a version of the stretch-the-field West Coast offense for two decades, dating back to Jim Harbaugh’s tenure as head coach from 2004-2006.

Defensively, the changes will be subtle, the primary one being that Moore will be more aggressive with blitz packages.

“I feel this defense is giving us the opportunity to run to the football and (there’s) a lot less thinking,” said starting inside linebacker Jagger Pagano. “When you’re able to attack the football, that’s what it’s all about.”

As for the team’s mood, it’s understandably upbeat under a first-year head coach. Said Pagano: “It’s almost like a revenge tour for us.”

Grant Sergent is expected to start at quarterback for USD this fall.

(USD athletics)

How will Sergent handle his promotion?

Sergent’s stat line from four seasons in the program: 3-for-3 for 50 yards and one touchdown, all coming last season. The 6-foot-2 QB from Salinas is unproven, but he’s blessed with a big arm. And as coaches like to say, can make all the throws.

“There’s going to be some growing pains until he gets that experience,” said Moore. Then the head coach added: “My expectation for him is to be the face of this offense.”

The Toreros can only hope Sergent develops like the last USD quarterback who waited forever for his chance. Reid Sinnett sat for four years behind Anthony Lawrence, then threw for 3,528 yards and 32 TDs in 2019 and was a Walter Payton Award finalist.

Who emerges at running back?

When USD was at its high-flying best from 2015-2019, the Toreros balanced a prolific passing game with a dangerous running attack. Last year’s two top returning backs, Logan Gingg and Isaiah Smith, carried only a combined 51 times for 216 yards, a respectable 4.2-yards-per-carry average.

How will they fare with a heavier workload? The Toreros are about to find out.

“Smith, he’s more of a slasher,” said Moore. “Not a home-run hitter. He’s a slashing runner who can find the cuts. Gingg, he’s more of a hammer.”

Translated? In Gingg and Smith, USD hopes to have its own version of “Thunder and Lightning.”

Re-al Mitchell will play all over the field this fall, his coaches say.

(USD athletics)

Will the Toreros get Re-al?

Re-al Mitchell strictly played quarterback during his stops at Iowa State and Temple. But in 2022, the former St. John Bosco star flashed multiple skills for USD.

Lining up at quarterback, running back and receiver, Mitchell led USD in rushing (433 yards), caught 23 passes for 212 yards and completed 9 of 13 passes for three touchdowns, earning first team all-conference offensive honors.

The jack-of-all-trades will add to his versatility this fall, returning kicks.

“I think the better question is what aren’t we going to do with Re-al,” said Moore. “He’s probably our most dynamic player we have on offense. We have to find different ways to hide him and get him the ball.”

Where will the sacks come from?

Defensive end Muhindo Kapapa made life miserable for quarterbacks last season, compiling nine sacks in 10 games and earning PFL Defensive Player of the Year honors.

Alas, Kapapa exhausted his eligibility. This year, the QB pressure will likely come from multiple players, including end Jacob Saewitz (La Costa Canyon High School) and tackle Will Buck.

With the Toreros expected to blitz more, some of the heat will come from the linebackers. One to keep an eye on: 6-foot-4 outside linebacker Chase Lyons, who should increase last season’s total of two sacks.

USD opens its season Sept. 2 at Cal Poly.