Te'von Coney Embracing The Challenge

Linebacker Te’von Coney had hit a wall last spring, and the light wasn’t turning on Mike Elko’s new defense. 

Fast forward a year and it’s the complete opposite for the 6-foot-1, 238-pounder.  

“He was missing in action last spring,” stated Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly. “We didn’t know where he was. He didn’t have a very good spring, and it put him behind going into August. He didn’t come out as a starter until week five. 

“We want him to show how important it is to have a great spring. He’s somebody that is unmistakable on the field. I didn’t even know he was out there last year at this time.” 

Coney will be the first to agree with Kelly’s statement, but he put his faith in the coaching staff coming out of fall camp, and the light turned on. 

“It was a mental thing,” stated Coney. “I was trying to get over that hump and focusing on the team during that time. I was focused on getting better, and I was struggling. As the fall went on, the coaches kept telling me to trust the process and the thing I could control. 

“When Coach (Brian) Kelly told me that, I did it and great things started to happen when I started to focus on what I needed to do to become a better player and off the field.” 

It was tough learning another new defense and a new position, but the staff was persistent in motivating and pushing the Palm Beach Gardens (Fla.) native to trust the process.

“I came in each day and listened to my coaches,” explained Coney. “It paid off for me. Had I not done that, I don’t know how the fall would have gone. When I came each day and listened to Coach (Mike) Elko and Coach (Clark) Lea, Coach Kelly – I took the advice, and it paid off for me.

“It was just an adjustment overall. I was getting used to the playbook and my body. I had gained a little bit more weight. The coaches told me they were going to commit to me and if I committed to them, then things would turn out.”

The process led Coney to record a team-high 116 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss and three sacks in 13 games. 

It was such a good season that Coney went from a player Kelly didn’t notice on the field last spring to struggling with a decision to come back to Notre Dame for his senior season or leave for the NFL Draft. 

Coney made a late decision to return for his senior year and wants it to be his defense in 2018. 

“I want to become a leader,” said Coney. “I want to have a defense and grow into that role I’ll have to do at the next level. I wasn’t a complete player last year. I knew this coaching staff would be able to get me to the highest level. I knew coming back I would reach my full potential.” 

Lea becoming defensive coordinator also had a significant role in his return. 

“The whole time I was weighing the pros and cons on both sides,” Coney explained. “Coach Lea being named defensive coordinator helped a whole lot. He’s a great guy, and he teaches me a lot. 

“Having him last spring and listening to him, I saw how those things worked. I knew another year with him would help my development tremendously.” 

Coney will move from Buck to Mike his season and showing he can stay on the field on all three downs will be another goal. 

“I haven’t been able to showcase pass coverage,” stated Coney. “Coming back and being able to improve in that area will help me become a better player in the fall.” 

It will be up to Lea to continue to develop Coney at the new position, and while not much different, Coney is looking forward to the challenge. 

“He’s the same guy, and I’m the same guy,” Coney said. “We push each other to get better. I push him to be a better coach, and he pushes me to be a better player.” 

Part of Lea’s coaching style is making sure his defensive players compete each day. Coney has embraced it in every aspect of practice.  

“There’s always competition,” said Coney. “We’re trying to find ways to raise the bar. He has a saying called ‘Small wins.’ Always trying to find a small win. Being able to sprint to each location is one step of getting better.

“He’s a competitor. He’s a guy that competes and challenges us. When you have the constant competition, it raises everyone’s level.”