The offseason is hardly an inactive time for Miami University’s football program.

Head coach Don Treadwell and his staff are busy finalizing this year’s recruiting class as National Signing Day looms Wednesday, with the RedHawks coming off back-to-back 4-8 seasons.

“I think you’re always feeling pretty good as you wind down,” Treadwell said. “The beauty of having 20 to 22 commitments this year is that now you’ve got an opportunity to really add to almost every position. Granted, you might try a few more at this position or that position, but at the end of the day, each position is going to get a chance to be upgraded.”

MU’s defense struggled mightily in 2012 and would seem to be the logical area for recruiting emphasis, especially up front.

Treadwell can’t discuss specific recruits because of NCAA rules, but said Miami has received around 20 verbal commitments.

“We are continuing to lay the foundation,” Treadwell said. “This will be the second class that we’ve really been able to recruit from top to bottom. I expect it to be a very outstanding one, much like the one that preceded it.”

One member of Treadwell’s 2012 staff has departed. Matt Edwards, the RedHawks’ special teams coordinator and linebackers coach, is now at Florida Atlantic University.

Treadwell said he’s actively pursuing a replacement for Edwards, but has not secured one yet.

“I think every coach has dreams to fulfill,” Treadwell said. “We’re always thankful for the guys that have been with us, and we always wish them well when they do depart.”

Asked if he anticipated any other staff changes, either in personnel or responsibilities, the 1982 Miami graduate said, “That’s going to remain to be seen. Hopefully in a perfect world, when February turns the corner, we’ll have a little bit better feel for the direction we’d like to go. At that point, we’ll reassess.”

Treadwell dismissed the notion that sweeping changes are needed because MU has an 8-16 record in his two years at the helm.

“Life’s too short to be worried about the critics,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of good men here that are doing a lot of good things. Unfortunately, sometimes you need to be on the inside to appreciate what we’re doing and how we’re doing it. We think good things will happen because we believe we’re building it the right way.”

The recruiting process has changed and is forcing schools to start seeking players at a younger age. Whether that’s good or bad depends on your perspective.

“For whatever reason, more kids have really taken more time to make commitments quite often before their senior years,” Treadwell said. “Unofficial visits vs. official visits, they’re almost one in the same now because so many more families have taken to come out early in the recruiting process.

“The good is they’re on your campus early. The bad is that you may only get them on your campus at one point in time, and at that point you have to make the most of it.”

One of the verbal commitments that’s been reported came from quarterback Tom Tupa III of Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School. He’s the son of former Ohio State and NFL quarterback/punter Tom Tupa.

Treadwell said he’d never say never on signing two QBs, but his general rule of thumb is one per class. Austin Boucher will be a redshirt senior next season and figures to be the starting quarterback.

When Treadwell was asked if it was Boucher’s job to lose, he replied, “He obviously has the experience factor in his favor. He would certainly get all his opportunities and then some, but at the same time, there are other gentlemen competing for the job. That’s what you love about athletics.”

The RedHawks begin spring practice in late March and will have 15 sessions. One change will be the elimination of the spring game.

Treadwell said it’s a numbers issue that’s been heightened by the large amount of seniors on last year’s squad.

“You only have so many players you get a chance to practice with,” Treadwell said. “We’re going to spend more time scrimmaging throughout spring football.”

He believes the program’s future is bright, despite the recent history. His message to fans is that Miami will be back.

“We live in a world of short patience just because of the nature of what we do, and we get that,” Treadwell said. “We have no problem with that. As I’ve said, there’s no greater critic than yours truly, the head coach here. I’ve played and coached here, so whatever disappointment or expectations anyone has, it’s not greater than what Don Treadwell has for his alma mater.

“We’re excited about what we’re doing, and we’re moving in a positive direction. You have to build it before it can be what you want it to be on game day, and that’s what we’re doing.”