Joe Castellitto Speaks About Third Phase Importance
UMass special teams coordinator Joe Castellitto emphasizes the importance of special teams if players want a path to the pros.
AMHERST, Mass. - UMass’ special teams unit isn’t ready to back down to anything that a spring camp of new coaching staff plans has had to offer, or that is what new coordinator Joe Castellitto has emphasized.
“When you are installing a whole new scheme that a lot of guys haven’t done, you gotta teach them a lot of football,” he said following Thursday’s spring practice here.
Following a troubling season for UMass on the field goal front with big kicks missed in pivotal moments, the Minutemen are attempting to turn the page to a new chapter.
“Switching the culture is going to be the biggest thing,” Castellitto said. “I’ve learned that these guys want to get coached.”
UMass longsnapper Jovoni Borbon talked about how receptive himself and other players have been to the culture shift and the pursuit of taking more ownership.
“If we don’t do our job for one play, it sets off the momentum for the whole game,” Borbon said.
Additionally, Borbon communicated how close the coaching staff has been with players.
“I know it’s weird to say, but I have a relationship with (everyone),” Borbon said. “In certain programs you don’t see the coaches. You don’t see the head guy. Coach (Joe Harasymiak) comes into our room every day. This is the closest I have been to a coaching staff during my whole time in college football.”
Borbon then spoke about Castellitto and the role he has had in the long snapper’s journey to success in Amherst.
“If I could say one thing about being at UMass, it’s (Castellitto),” Borbon said. “Him allowing me the opportunity to be a leader in the room is just great. Our relationship outside of football is why I believe I’m here.”
Borbon continued to spotlight the importance of Castellitto and his message of poise, as well as worrying about the next play at all times.
That attention to detail is a necessity as UMass joins the MAC. Castellitto highlighted the buy-in the transition would require.
“The kids crave coaching,” Castellitto said. “They are in our offices a lot, they work extremely hard.”
In prior practices, the likes of T.Y. Harding and Rocko Griffin have expressed their value towards special teams because of the path it presents to opportunities in the NFL one day. As some of the expected stars of the team continue to echo this sentiment, the feeling of care and attention to detail has been evident with Castellitto.
“I just like that they love (special teams),” he said. “When guys like being on special teams, that means you are going to be a pretty good team. I talk about Matthew Slater from the Patriots who just had a pretty much special teams career. He had one reception in the NFL, but he’s made 35 million dollars.”
Although the output of guys has been great, there were other reinforcements from the transfer portal who have made names for themselves.
Punter Keegan Andrews has thrown himself in that mix after his transfer from Texas A&M.
“He’s awesome,” Castellitto said. “When you wanna talk about a guy that is just obsessed. He comes in every day. He works hard. He’s about the details and his technique.”
The Australian native has shown that exact capability throughout camp as Castellitto tries to single out starters for different positions.
“Whoever is the best is going to play,” Castellitto said. “That’s just the way it’s going to operate. (Harasymiak) comes from past programs that have really strong special teams culture.”
As UMass continues to revamp its third unit, it will be interesting to see which players begin to differentiate themselves as the top group going forward.
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