I have no idea of your racing schedule, but by "next year" do you mean fall 2008? Because about now would be a good time to start training for fall 2009. Anyway, I recommend mileage, as much as you can get without exhausting yourself. Which will mean not so much intensity. Just ride. Intervals and so forth will peak you, but it takes very little calendar time to peak. I'd let the coach worry about that.

Group rides would be fine, as long as they don't tire you so much that you have to cut back on your mileage during the week. I don't know how much you ride now, but if you are averaging 200 miles/week at the start of school, your coach should be happy.

Try to contact the coach now?