Next game
Who: Dayton (3-1, 1-0 PFL) vs. Valparaiso (0-4, 0-1)
When: 1 p.m. Saturday
Where: Welcome Stadium
Radio: WHIO-AM (1290), WHIO-FM (95.7)
DAYTON — When University of Dayton defensive players come to the sidelines, third-year coach Rick Chamberlin usually follows them to the bench to relay instructions.
Chamberlin, who’s in charge of the defense, has no qualms with turning his back to the field when UD has the ball. There are always things with his group that need immediate attention. And besides, he knows his offense is in good hands.
Dave Whilding has spent 34 seasons on the Flyers’ staff, the last 28 as offensive coordinator. Aside from consistently fielding highly productive units, Whilding, 61, is probably best known for being the most animated of all the assistants — someone not afraid to show his displeasure.
With 10 of 11 starters returning on offense, including all-league players at quarterback, receiver and offensive line, the Flyers might have been susceptible to approaching the season with a lofty opinion of themselves. But Whilding made sure that didn’t happen.
“Dave is one of those old-school coaches where there’s a right way to do things. It’s black-and-white, not gray,” Chamberlin said. “There’s a way he wants it done and a way it’s going to get done — if you want to play.”
Senior receiver Justin Watkins appreciates that no-nonsense style, although he wasn’t accustomed to it at first.
“As you get older in the program, you get used to that,” he said. “Everybody went through it as a freshman where he would ride you, and as you got older, you started to accept how he wanted things. ... He’ll make sure we’re not getting complacent.”
The Flyers (1-1), who lead the Pioneer Football League in scoring at 34.5 points per game, have run all styles of offense under Whilding. But they’ve been committed to spreading the field with multiple-receiver sets for four years now — partly out of necessity.
Finding recruits suited for the power running game is getting harder every year.
“We’ve been able to recruit receivers,” Whilding said. “For so many years, we could recruit the big fullback who could block and the tailback who can run inside and out. But the high school game has changed, and those positions have changed.”
One constant in Whilding’s offenses has been an elusive quarterback. Senior Steve Valentino — who is the fastest player on the team with a sub-4.5-second 40-yard dash — was picked the 2009 PFL offensive player of the year.
“He can do a lot of different things. We see it every game and every practice,” Whilding said. “(Opponents) have to rush in lanes when they rush the passer with him. If somebody leaves their lane, he’s gone.”
Contact this writer at (937) 225-2125 or dharris@DaytonDailyNews.com.
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