Steve Edwards Jr. is beginning his 30th season as the head coach of the George Washington Patriots, a tenure that includes 22 postseason appearances. Last year, the team finished with a 7-4 record, losing a close first-round playoff game to Hurricane. Edwards Jr. acknowledges the challenge of replacing key leaders from that squad but is optimistic about the upcoming season. He specifically highlighted several returning players, including senior quarterback Cy Persinger, who he said has significantly improved over the summer. Another key player is Clyde May, a senior who was the team's third-leading tackler last season and will be expected to play a larger role on both offense and defense. Edwards Jr. also noted the strength of the returning offensive and defensive lines, which feature a number of experienced players, including junior James Payne, whom he hopes will emerge as a leader.