OC Shuffle: An Offensive Coordinator wishlist if Miami replaces Dan Enos

Dan Enos has been a hot-button topic in the Canes fan base all season. Here’s a list of names Miami should look at if they decide to go in an opposite direction.

By Candis R. McLean@CandisRMcLean Dec 12, 2019, 7:00pm EST

Miami’s offensive woes has been the main topic of conversation throughout the 2019 season. From the elation that rippled through the fan base once Tate Martell transferred, to the expectation that Dan Enos would manufacture a high-octane scoring offense, tracking how our lofty dreams became a nightmarish reality has left us all perplexed. On paper, the Canes have the athletes to get it done. However, between quarterback shuffling, offensive line issues, and the non-emergence of a dominant playmaker, Miami has lacked consistency when it comes to racking up points. Jeff Thomas, Brevin Jordan, DeeJay Dallas, K.J. Osborn, and several others all have the tools to be matchup nightmares. The problem is, Canes fans rarely got a glimpse of those players in a proper position to show off their talents. The Hurricanes averaged 27.8 points a game and 378.9 yards per game offensively. One sole question has materialized from the rubble of the Canes’ regular-season: Why is Dan Enos still here? The coaching carousel has already begun at several programs in the country. Let’s take a look at who’s out there if Miami decides to punch Enos’ ticket to the parking lot.

David Yost

The current Texas Tech Red Raiders offensive coordinator has been a constant name circulating through the fan base. The 2018 Broyles Award semifinalist’s near three-decade coaching career is full of upward traction. He’s mentored quarterbacks like Brad Smith, Chase Daniel, and Blaine Gabbert at Missouri. He also groomed Justin Hebert as the passing game coordinator at Oregon. Known as one of the most innovative minds in football, Yost can bring the true tempo of a spread offense to Miami. Heavy on the passing game, the Red Raiders are 3rd in the nation with an average of 43.2 passes a game and 7th in passing offense. Texas Tech also finished the regular season averaging 474 total yards per contest (17th).

Kendal Briles

Kendal Briles is a familiar name in the ACC. Former Florida State Seminoles head coach Willie Taggart brought Briles to Tallahassee when he took over the downtrodden program. With a combination of shaky offensive line play, quarterback issues, and beyond, FSU averaged 29.1 points per game. That’s nothing in comparison to what Briles’ offenses produced at Houston (43.9 points per game) and FAU. At FAU, Briles’ veer and shoot offense manhandled Conference USA. He also helped make Devin Singletary a household name. At Houston, Briles offense scored points in bunches and he helped develop quarterback D’Eriq King. After spending time at FSU, he should have no problem understanding what it means to recruit in Florida.

Rhett Lashlee

The current offensive coordinator of the Southern Methodist University Mustangs and former OC for the UConn Huskies and the Auburn Tigers is a name to consider. The 2013 Broyles Award finalist has improved every programs he claimed offensive reigns of. Lashlee followed current Auburn Tigers head coach Gus Malzahn to Alabama in 2010 as graduate assistant. Leaving to take over the OC job for the Samford Bulldogs, Lashlee propelled the program to 46th nationally in total offense by utilizing a high-tempo approach. In 2012, Lashlee returned to Auburn and had great success. When Malzahn chose to put more of an imprint on the offense in 2017, Lashlee’s role with the team diminished. In 2018 Lashlee took over as OC/QB coach for SMU. SMU finished 10-2 this season. They ranked 5th in points per game (43.0), 12th in passing offense, and 8th in yards per game (495.2).

Rich Rodriguez

Rich Rodriguez has been a household name in college football for years. Where Rich Rod goes, offense usually follows. After having wild success with the West Virginia Mountaineers from 2001-2007, Rodriguez headed to Ann Arbor to take over the OC job for the Michigan Wolverines. Rodriguez’s tenure was full of key losses, NCAA rule violations, player departures, and more turbulence. However, the Denard Robinson show was spectacular. After leaving Michigan, Rodriguez took the Arizona Wildcats to the Pac-12 Championship in 2014. His rampant success was marred by sexual harassment and misconduct allegations from his former administrative assistant. After being fired by Arizona, Rodriguez was hired as the OC for the Ole Miss Rebels. The Rebels were ranked 29th in total offense and 12th in rushing in 2019. With the recent hiring of Lane Kiffin as the head coach, Rodriguez finds himself on the outs again. Rodriguez has done wonders with the no huddle, zone read, spread offense.

Graham Harrell

Here’s a name that is probably a pipe dream. If the USC Trojans want any chance at having a semblance of stability next year, a main priority should be to retain Graham Harrell. Before heading to California, Harrell ran the offense for the University of North Texas in 2017 and 2018. Harrell produced a top 26 team in passing, total yards, and points. Previous to hiring Harrell, the Trojans were 91st in scoring offense (26.1 points per game) and 63rd in yards per play (5.77). In 2019, Harrell catapulted them to 15th in yards per play (6.61), 36th in scoring offense (33.2), and 5th in passing offense (335.9 yards per game).

Sean Gleeson

Sean Gleeson is current Oklahoma State Cowboys offensive coordinator and QB coach. Three seasons ago, he was the RB Coach at Princeton. He later took over offensive coordinator duties until he got the call from Oklahoma State. Oklahoma State led the Big 12 in rushing attempts, with a staggering average of 44.2 per game. Oklahoma State is also ranked 16th in red zone offense. With the talent Miami already has in the backfield, and the new recruits coming in, a run-first spread offense isn’t something to immediately dismiss. As part of the Mike Gundy coaching tree, Gleeson’s approach could open up a lot of things for the Canes. Oklahoma State ranked 17th in total offense, averaging 463.9 yards a game.

Do you see Enos sticking around? Are you looking at any of the names mention above? What about Texas Longhorns analyst Larry Fedora or LSU Tigers WR coach Joe Brady?