Miami Hurricanes News and Notes: Canes Reportedly Fill Coaching Vacancies, Enos Defends Departure

Good Morning Canes Familia,

We’ve once again made it to see another Friday. Given the events of this past week, there’s been plenty of news to keep up with. Fear not, State of the U has you covered with the latest events and stories from Coral Gables. So let’s dig in.

Hurricanes Reportedly fill out Remaining Coaching Vacancies

On Thursday, reports surfaced that UM had finally filled the final two spots on Manny Diaz’s coaching staff. Taylor Stubblefield has been identified as the man who is set to become Miami’s new WR coach. Stubblefield has spent the previous two seasons working as a receivers coach for Air Force, with previous stops working for the Toronto Argonauts in the CFL and the Utah Utes. Some of you may remember Stubblefield making noise as a receiver at Purdue, where he set the record for receptions in a collegiate career with 325.

The second and final report points to Miami tabbing Stephen Field as the team’s next tight end coach. Field was hired earlier this month by the University of Louisville to be the program’s recruiting director. A familiar name to South Florida football, this will be the coach’s second stint with the Hurricanes after serving as a graduate assistant from 2006-2008. Some of Field’s previous work has been as a recruiting coordinator at Oregon and TE coach for Florida A&M. Before his ascension to the college ranks, the West Palm Beach, Florida native was the head coach at Miami Northwestern and North Marion at the high school level.

Both Diaz and new offensive coordinator Dan Enos have pieced together an impressive staff to date with the hirings of former Tampa Buccaneers assistant offensive line coach Butch Barry and RB coach Eric Hickson. Both men have experience under Enos during his time time as head coach at Central Michigan.

Enos Plays Defense

Thursday night, Bruce Feldman of The Athletic published a story titled “Where’s Dan?: The story of Alabama football’s rampant coaching staff turnover”. The piece addresses Miami’s offensive coordinators departure from the Crimson Tide, which caught Alabama head coach Nick Saban off guard. The manner in which Enos was depicted in the article is less than flattering, prompting an immediate response from Enos on social media.

Canes Offer 2019 QB

Lost in the celebration that was QB Tate Martell choosing Miami as his transfer destination, the Hurricanes offered a scholarship to 2019 New Orleans QB Lance LeGendre. According to 247 Sports LeGendre is the sixth rated dual-threat quarterback in the class and the highest uncommitted pivot this cycle. The Warren Easton product holds offers from Florida State, Tennessee, and was previously recruited by new UM offensive coordinator Dan Enos in his past life at Alabama.

Mr. Martell has Arrived

Back to Tate Martell, the quarterback will reportedly be enrolled by the end of the week. According to Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press, Martell is a semester short of graduating and will require a waiver to be eligible for the 2019 season.

Official Visits on Deck

Miami will be hosting a group of recruits this weekend. This list is not extensive, but could grow as the day goes on given the fluidity of the recruiting process.

Players that we know are visiting:

Jones County (Gray, Georgia) DE Ja’Darien Boykin

Daphne (Daphne, Alabama) CB Christian Williams *Alabama commit

State of Declarations

SOTU’s own Evan Hadrick highlights striker Romeo Finley being named Most Improved Player in our SOTU Awards for the 2018 season.

Our own Dylan Sherry broke down Manny Diaz’s immediate success since being named head coach.

SOTU’s Marshall Thomas dives into prospective graduate transfer target DT Chigozie Nnoruka.

Men’s Basketball Back in Action

Hurricanes Basketball makes its return to the court on Saturday when they will host the North Carolina Tar Heels at the Watsco Center at noon. The Canes are coming off a 76-65 win over Wake Forest a week ago, hoping to improve their record in ACC play.

Non-Revenue Sports

Miami Men’s Tennis will be hitting a court of different kind today when they host Stetson University at the Neil Schiff Tennis Center at 11AM.

UM’s Womens Tennis will travel down the road to take on Florida Atlantic at 11AM at the FAU Tennis Complex.

Have a Great day and Go Canes!