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Hurricanes Football Needs "Old" Coley Back for Bowl and Beyond

Among the many problems of the 2014 'Canes is an absence of big plays from Stacy Coley in both the passing and return games.

By Jerry Steinberg
Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Last season Stacey Coley was an absolute dynamo of a weapon.

(if you need a reminder watch below)

On the year  the former 4 star prospect from Pompano accumulated 1,461 all purpose yards, caught 33 passes for 591 yards, hauled in 7 TD receptions, averaged 25.9 yards per KO return with a TD, averaged 22.0 yards per PR with a TD,  and added one score on the ground.

He was a freshman All-American and the ONLY player in the NCAA with a TD on a kick return, punt return, rushing. and receiving.

He was that good.

Before this season started, one of the biggest reasons I thought the Hurricanes would finally overcome the hurdle that has become the ACC Coastal Division, was that I expected the 6'1 185 pounder with 4.3/4.4 speed to be one of the best players on the field week in and week out.

It simply hasn't happened.

This season.......

A paltry 15 catches for 105 yards, 22.5 avg per KOR, and 13.2 avg per PR.    And not one score!

The lack of production is the passing game is obviously disturbing. But some of it can be explained by the emergence of Clive Walford and Phillip Dorsett as well as the expanded role in the passing game of Duke Johnson.

Not to mention one too many predictable bubble screens.

The struggles in the return game however are completely inexplicable.

Where is the vision,  the cuts, the speed, the EXPLOSION???

Earlier this season Coley did miss some time with a shoulder injury.

And against FSU on 11/15 there was some bad luck......

Bottom line though, results or lack of  results have been awful for Coley.  And the sum of this season for the sophomore WR/KR has been alarming.

While no one really knows what if anything has caused the sudden drop off, Miami head Coach Al Golden recently backed him,

"I still believe in Stacy and I still believe Stacy's going to be a good football player."

With his talent he should be a great player.

He needs a big time off season.

For Miami to escape the pits of mediocrity they need so many things to happen (we can save some of that for another article).

But one of the biggest thing that would help would be if the kid who wore the "Swag" hat on NSD got his swag back.

This evening we find out where UM is headed for their bowl game.

Here's hoping that the real Stacy Coley travel with the team.

And here's also hoping that the Coley of 2013 re-emerges in 2015.

With Dorsett and Walford on their way to the NFL, the continued development of Brad Kaaya may depend on it.