A seventh consecutive playoff loss has the Eastern coaching staff looking for answers but none of them revolve around the dismissal of starting cornerback Ben Brown.

“He was not a distraction because we didn’t mention him all week,” said Eastern defensive coordinator Roc Bellantoni. “I didn’t think it was a factor in regards to preparation.”

Eastern’s players were aware of the suspension but simply chalked it up to another player missing a game, which was a common occurrence this season.

“I think we moved on well,” said tailback Vincent Webb Jr. “That situation was kind of like the spirit of our season from losing coaches to losing players all year.”

With 26 players from Florida and three players dismissed from the team in the last year from the Sunshine State, Eastern is not concerned about its recruiting practices, specifically involving character issues.

The Panthers staff is heading south to recruit in two weeks.

“Eventually it falls on the kid making a good decision or ruining his life,” Bellantoni said.

According to the 2006 NCAA Graduation Rate statistics, Eastern’s football team had a graduation rate of 62 percent, which was the exact measurement of the student body.

“Coach Spoo always says find the right players not the best players,” Bellantoni said.

The disappointment over Brown’s actions which are unconfirmed by the university and athletics department is so deep members of the Eastern coaching staff bring him up in discussion as “that player” or simply not at all.

“It’s not that we ignored the problem but we had all our meetings and practices without pointing out he wasn’t here,” Bellantoni said. “And I’ll never mention his name ever again.”

Repeated attempts to contact Brown via phone calls were not successful.

The Panthers starting defensive back and 2004 Ohio Valley Conference Second Team selection was kicked off the team after violating an unspecified team policy. The Fort Lauderdale, Fla., native was informed of the team’s decision the morning of Nov. 20.

“We had won games without starters all year and we thought we’d do it again.”

Brown was named a captain this season after being a three-year letterman and emotional leader on the defensive side of the ball.

“We gave that player that honor in the hopes he’d turned a corner,” Bellantoni said. “You’re going to get fooled sometimes.”