By Bob Sutton
Special to The Alamance News
Casey Vance is the new man in charge of the Elon football team’s defense and the unit is dotted with players in different roles.
Piecing it together will be critical for the Phoenix.
“I think it’s a really big standard here and all the guys know that,” linebacker Asher Cunningham said of having a stout defense. “We really value our defense and we value the schemes that we have and the juice that we play with.”
Vance, who had been linebackers coach, shifted into the new role when Dovonte Edwards took a job at Sam Houston State. Vance is entering his fourth season with the Phoenix, which opens the season August 28 at Duke.
Head coach Tony Trisciani is a former defensive coordinator and that provides another angle for Elon.
“He brings great ideas, they’re suggestions,” Vance said. “It’s always good to get it from another perspective.”
Compared to last August, there will be a different look in some areas on Elon’s defense.
“We’re a younger team now, but we have guys that are hungry and coming and bringing it every single day,” redshirt junior defensive end Ethan Grace said.
When injuries piled up last year, Cunningham started the final four games. He provided a much-needed boost and gained experience.
“That was really beneficial, being out half the season due to a hamstring injury and then coming back,” the redshirt sophomore said. “I had great mentors. They prepared me for that moment really well.”
The linebacking corps has a couple of transfers, including redshirt sophomore Brodie Carroll, arriving from Division II Shepherd, has been working with the first unit.
“He’s a great one to coach and asks good questions,” Vance said. “He’s hungry.”
Wyatt Carter is on board after three years in the Duke program. Williams graduate Will Rhodes is vying for playing time in his third year in the program.
With some members of the 2024 defensive front moving on, the Phoenix will look to restock that area. Grace suffered an anterior cruciate ligament tear earlier in his career and has endured shoulder injuries and then surgery in March.
He wants to make a bigger impact.
“Every day, I’m trying to bring energy to the guys,” Grace said. “I’m an old head now, which is crazy to say.”
For returning players, there’s a comfort level with Vance. He recruited Cunningham, who missed the 2024 game vs. Duke because of his injury, out of Asheville Reynolds.
“Just feeding me knowledge on and off the field,” Cunningham said. “He keeps it really true to you. He’s a coach that coaches you hard. I feel that he really deserved that spot. Just his knowledge of football is just incredible. The guys really believe in Coach Vance to be that guy on defense.”
Defenders said that Vance is easy to rally around.
“Coach Vance, he brings the juice and energy every day,” Grace said. “We all look up to him and want to play hard for him. He gets us going every day. He cares so much.”
The Phoenix had solid ratings in several areas in Football Championship Subdivision defense last season. That included strong marks on third downs and in defending the run.
Vance said he’s hoping his imprint from a different angle will be beneficial.
“It has been a good fit,” Vance said. “Hopefully, they say the same thing. We had a good defense. We want to keep the standard going.”
Photos courtesy of Elon Athletics
