April 11, 2007

While most of the focus during Baylor's first 13 spring workouts has been directed at the five-man quarterback battle, first-year special teams coordinator has quitely gone about the task of rebuilding the Bears' special teams units.

Two-time Ray Guy Award winner and 2006 unanimous consenus All-America punter Daniel Sepulveda graduated, as did place-kicker Ryan Havens, who handed the Bears' kickoff duties the past four seasons and their place-kicking shores the past two. Sepulveda led the nation with his 46.5-yard average as a senior in 2006, while Havens converted 32-of-33 PATs and 11-of-14 field goals in his final Green and Gold campaign.

While looking to replace two of Baylor's finest kickers ever in Sepulveda and Havens, Dunn does return a solid group of return specialists, headed by juniors Mikail Baker (23.7 yards on 22 kickoff returns in 2006) and Queito Teasley (22.7 yards on 15 returns a year ago). Teasley also averaged 10.4 yards on 11 punt returns, while junior Carl Sims also returns after averaging 7.6 yards per punt return in 2006.

Dunn, who spent the past three seasons as running backs coach at the University of Arizona, also coaches Baylor's wide receivers in addition to his special teams duties. He brings 14 years of coaching experience to Waco, which includes stops at Arizona (2004-06), TCU (2003), Alabama (2003), Washington State (1998-2002), New Mexico (1996-97), Idaho (1993 and 1995) and the University of San Diego (1994).

A standout wide receiver at the University of Idaho from 1987 through 1991, Dunn was a three-time All-American who still holds Vandal school records for career receptions (268) and receiving yards (3,847), while ranking No. 2 in touchdown receptions (25). The 1992 Idaho graduate played with professionally with the CFL's British Columbia Lions (1992) and Edmonton Eskimos (1993), and the NFL's Houston Oilers (1992) before launching his coaching career.

Baylorbears.com caught up with Dunn prior to the Bears' 13th spring workout Wednesday evening to get an update on the special teams play over the last month:

Baylorbears.com: After losing two great kickers from last year's team, how does Baylor's kicking game look?

Dunn: "Well it is hard to say right now. We've got Ryan Ozols out there right now who has walked on. He's done a pretty good job, and Caleb Allen has done some good things, too. But, two guys that are on scholarship for us right now aren't on campus (2007 signees Shea Brewster and Derek Epperson). And that's the hard part, trying to assess where we are in the kicking game without those two on campus.

"Early in the fall there will be a lot of heat on for those spots. We've got to do some things, too, in order to make sure they are feeling the pressure as well. They can come out and kick the ball real well, but in front of 50,000 people, it is a whole different ball game."

"We've gotten good work in terms of our coverage areas. We're not missing in terms of that area. We're still getting a lot of great work there. We just don't know who the guy kicking is (yet)."

"Right now, my main concern is making sure our punt team is ready to go. That is one thing you have to be very, very sound in is being able to punt the ball and put them in a backed up position and flip the field. You can control a game with your punter. You know, we had a great one last year, and we need to make sure we can keep up with that standard."

Baylorbears.com: Does it look like the coverage has improved?

Dunn: "Yes, I'm pleased with where we are right now with our punt coverage. We haven't even looked at kickoff returns yet. We are just focusing on the punt."

Baylorbears.com: How do you feel about overall progress thus far?

Dunn: "I feel real good about the progress we've made. The only two question marks are the two guys that are still in high school right now. Other than that, I feel real good about where we are right now."

Practice Notes: The Bears worked out Wednesday evening on the Floyd Casey Stadium turf in full pads ... Baylor will practice in shorts on Thursday afternoon, then take Friday off before concluding spring drills with the Dodge Green & Gold Game, Saturday, April 14, at 1 p.m. in Floyd Casey Stadium ... Admission to the Bears' annual spring game is free ... As it has done in the past, FSN Southwest will rebroadcast portions of the Green & Gold Game at a later date ... FSN Southwest recently received an honorable mention award in the Texas Associated Press Broadcasters statewide Best Documentary contest for its "All-Access Baylor Football" program produced by Matt Scales, a former Baylor football letterman, and staff ... All-told, FSN Southwest won two first-place awards and a pair of honorable mention citations in the annual contest.