FIU begins working on more up-tempo offense on first day of spring football practice

Tyrese Chambers has been restless.

And that’s a good thing.

Tuesday was the first day of spring practice under new FIU football coach Mike MacIntyre, and Chambers – the Panthers’ star wide receiver – could barely wait.

“I didn’t get no sleep last night,” Chambers said. “I’ve just been up waiting for this day. New beginnings, new journey – it’s very exciting.”

FIU went 1-11 last year, finishing the season with 11 straight losses. The Panthers have lost 18 straight games against FBS programs, which helps explain why coach Butch Davis and athletic director Pete Garcia are no longer at their posts.

MacIntyre is now in charge of FIU football, and the new coach inherited just one sure-fire star, and that’s Chambers, who caught 45 passes for 1,074 yards and nine touchdowns in 2021, his first season with the Panthers.

Chambers broke T.Y. Hilton’s school record for reception yards. Chambers also broke Jonnu Smith’s school record for TD catches, and both of those ex-Panthers have gone on to become NFL standouts.

“Chambers is an excellent athlete,” MacIntyre said. “What I notice is that his teammates love him. He’s a leader. He’s a high-effort guy. He’s what you want your star receiver to be.”

Since it was just the first day of spring drills, it’s too early for MacIntyre to give an informed assessment of all his personnel.

MacIntyre did say, however, that he added “eight or nine” walk-ons after tryouts were held recently. That puts his roster at about 97 players.

An announcement on a starting quarterback is not imminent, but it’s expected that Duke transfer Gunnar Holmberg will ultimately beat out holdovers Grayson James and Haden Carlson for the job.

MacIntyre said his quarterbacks were a bit hesitant on Tuesday.

“New plays, new routes,” he said. “But arm talent overall looked good.”

David Yost, FIU’s new offensive coordinator, was asked what he’s looking for in his quarterback.

“Do you throw it to the right guy at the right time and in the right way,” Yost said. “If you do those three things, we’re going to be fine.

“In the run game, are you reading the right guy, did you make the right read, and how did you finish it?

“There are three things to do on every play. If I’m asking for more than that, I’m just looking for issues. We try to keep it really simple, but decision-making is the key.”

Yost, who will run a high-tempo offense, said having experience at quarterback – such as Holmberg with his 11 starts at Duke last year – is an advantage.

“Having the play reps to fall back on is tremendous,” Yost said. “Now what he has to do is take the stuff that we do that is similar and use that to his advantage.”

Yost said “it’s going to be a good competition” at quarterback. But he also said that after Saturday, he will start to scale back the reps and likely focus more on his top two quarterbacks.

One thing for sure, according to Yost: FIU’s quarterbacks in this system will not hold the ball long. Sacks, therefore, will be reduced, and running backs will get a lot of swing passes and screens.

Yost said he expects his No. 1 running back to be top three in the conference in receptions.

“That’s another way to get our running backs in space,” Yost said.

PLAY BALL

MacIntyre was set to throw out the first pitch for Tuesday’s baseball game between FIU and the visiting Miami Hurricanes.

“I’ve thought a little bit about the slider,” MacIntyre said, going over his possible pitch selection. “I might just go over the top with my heater.

“I’ve got some friends who want me to throw a really bad one so it could be on national television. I’m trying to figure out what exposure I want to give to our program.”