Mele’s Background Shapes His Love For Special Teams
April 01, 2022 | Football, Joel Coleman
State’s special teams coordinator enjoying his new role with the Bulldogs.
STARKVILLE – It was at William Paterson University in New Jersey back about two decades ago now. Eric Mele was a three-year starter at strong safety and outside linebacker for the Pioneers. However, that wasn't how he got his big break on the gridiron.
Mele's first opportunity to see college action came on special teams. And now, serving as Mississippi State's special teams coordinator following two seasons coaching Bulldog running backs, Mele hearkens back to his own early playing days on special teams and it's part of what fuels him as he now guides MSU's unit.
"Due to the vertical stature of myself, I was a Division III football player," Mele recalled. "My first opportunity was on special teams, and I loved it. I've never turned my back on it. I've always had a soft spot for special teams and really for some of those guys – those walk-ons – that kind of carve out a role for themselves on some of those units. Guys that are selfless players, that are tough; they do that and sacrifice for the team and make plays for the team. They help the overall program out. It's something that [is close to my heart] a little bit."
It's easy to see the passion in Mele's eyes and hear the excitement in his voice about having the chance to lead special teams once again. Yes, once again – this isn't Mele's first time in this role.
In fact, Mele has been over special teams during 11 different seasons of his 20-year coaching career. Since Mele went to work for MSU head coach Mike Leach back in 2012 when Leach was at Washington State, Mele spent the 2014 through 2017 seasons overseeing Leach's special teams.
Mele made a change and started guiding Leach's running backs in 2018, first at Washington State and then in Starkville. But this offseason, when Leach decided to shake up his staff a bit, Mele was placed back in familiar territory.
"I've been a soldier for Coach Leach, and this is season 11 [with him]," Mele said. "At one point, he moved me from special teams over to running backs. He kind of had a need there. It's just one of those things again. He felt like [now] it'd be a good chance for me to step back in there [at special teams] and with the different staff changes too, keep everything fresh and new voices and have guys in different spots. To have other guys on staff who have also coached special teams who are behind me and supportive, that's huge too."
Now settling back in with special teams, Mele has been pleased with what he's seen so far this spring. Here's just a snippet of what Mele has noticed.
Mele on the competition at placekicker and punter: "It's been great…It's been a great environment for those guys to push each other and see who's going to win these jobs. It was a great day [last Saturday] execution-wise. We were knocking balls through the pipes and had a good day punting the other day. There were some good balls, out of bounds and directional stuff and things we like to do. [Early on], I'm pleased."
Mele on transfer kickers Massimo Biscardi (from Coastal Carolina) and Ben Raybon (from Northern Colorado) and what intrigues him about those two: "I'm excited about [Biscardi] and Ben too. Ben's been great. Both of those guys can compete for field goal and kickoff jobs, so two guys that are combo guys that have played in college before and been successful. That's exciting to see who'll win that job… Field goal percentage is big. And [in Biscardi's case] Coastal is a team that's been highly successful the last several seasons. I kind of like that guy coming from the smaller school that wants the opportunity on the big stage and wants to do it in front of the big lights in the SEC West. So that's attractive obviously. Then Ben, kind of the same thing. Ben walked on and is a preferred walk-on guy. He's been a starting kicker and kickoff guy in college. He wanted to come here and just have an opportunity. That's great."
Mele on the return game and who's working there: "I've got a list here. Let me pull it out for you here so I don't miss anybody. Who are my returners? [Recent] punt returners were Austin Williams, Rufus Harvey, [Lideatrick Griffin] was back there. [Christian Ford]. [Ke'Travion Hargrove] was back there. [Jordan Mosely]. [Emmanuel Forbes]. [Jarnorris Hopson]. So, to me, spring is a great chance to evaluate all these units and all these positions [and look at] a ton of our guys. And also develop some of our younger guys. Some of these younger guys can help us play sooner than later. So, let's get them on the field on special teams and groom them for offense and defense as well."
The goal with all of this evaluating is obvious. Mele is tasked with figuring out the best combinations to help put Mississippi State in the best possible positions to win football games this fall.
Mele believes he has a bit of a head start.
"There's a great foundation," Mele said. "[Last year's special teams coach Matt Brock] did a great job laying a foundation. I'll say that first of all. This is my third time being special teams coordinator [and] I think as far as a starting point goes, this is a lot higher than I've had in the past."
At the same time, there's plenty of work to do, too. Come September, Mele is committed to helping his position group minimize errors and be a strength for MSU.
"That's what special teams does," Mele said. "Nobody notices when you go through and have a clean football game. But people notice those mistakes and some of those errors. We clean those up and start making plays on our end, we can help us win an extra couple of games a year."
