Is a New Coaching Staff Really What Miami Needs?

In no way has Miami’s 2019 season been a success. If a 6-6 record isn’t bad enough — some of the losses have come in demoralizing fashion. While the expectations at the start of the season were overly-optimistic, ‘Canes fans didn’t expect the program to regress under Diaz in his first year.

Execution seemed to be an issue for the ‘Canes in 2019, which begs the question… is a new system really what Miami needs?

The short answer is yes, especially on offense. It’s a repeat of 2018 in some way — Miami has added new ‘tweaks,’ but is still stuck in an archaic offense that needs to fully adapt to the Spread.

However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that Miami needs a new offensive coordinator. This sets 2020 up to be a make-or-break season — another 6-win season could and should result in some significant changes, starting with AD Blake James.

As for head coach Manny Diaz, there’s immense pressure on him. Each and every game in 2020 could easily decide his coaching future. Success often takes time though — a great example being Clemson’s Dabo Swinney.

Comparing them in their current state might seem a bit outlandish, but Swinney wasn’t an instant success at Clemson, yet he’s built one of the nation’s finest programs. Through 2 ½ seasons, Swinney’s coaching record was 19-15 (Swinney was an interim head coach for the Tigers in 2008, coaching 7 games total). Clemson followed up a 6-7 season in 2010 with a 10-win rebound 2011 — the kind of trend Miami hopes to follow.

In conclusion, the goal here isn’t to say that Diaz is the next Dabo Swinney — but there is a case for being patient, and unity with the staff. Of course, schemes and mindsets should change — hence why 2020 will be such a tense year for the Hurricanes — but one season isn’t enough time for a program to be ‘rebuilt.’ Especially with Miami’s coaches hot on the recruiting trail — now might not be the ‘best’ time to revamp the staff.