If you were playing the Miami Hurricanes from 1998 to 2001, you knew one thing, you weren’t passing on cornerback Mike Rumph. A three-time All Big-East selection, Rumph helped the Canes capture the schools fifth national championship, while turning into one of America’s elite corners.
Now back at UM after a career in the NFL, this time as a coach, Rumph is passing along his lockdown knowledge at the position to his players. Since joining the Miami staff in 2016, Rumph has assisted in turning the Hurricanes defense into the one of the nations best.
Coach Mike Rumph. The U.#86Gang | #ItsAllAboutTheU pic.twitter.com/nyC7yjUHUp
— GO ‘CANES! (@83_87_89_91_01) February 5, 2019
His first year in 2016, Miami’s defense jumped from 69th in the country the season prior to 20th. In 2017, they jumped again to ninth in America.
So through nine weeks of the season, three of the top eight cornerbacks in the conference are coached by Miami’s Mike Rumph: pic.twitter.com/ptw1gRXKL0
— GO ‘CANES! (@83_87_89_91_01) November 2, 2017
More directly related to Rumph, 2017 saw Miami rank 16th in interceptions, and then this past season in 2018, the Canes had the number one passing defense in the nation.
A note as well, @CanesFootball CB coach Mike Rumph will continue in his role. The former Miami Hurricanes standout and 27th overall selection by the 49ers helped Miami’s defense rank first in the nation in passing defense, third-down conversion defense and tackles for loss. https://t.co/tS5K9JFi7l
— Josh White (@_JoshRWhite) December 14, 2018
Two things Rumph has been able to do exceptionally well is develop talent and reloading as opposed to rebuilding, and there are several examples. His first year in 2016, the Hurricanes were replacing not one corner, but two, in Tracy Howard and Artie Burns. Rumph’s solution? He turned Corn Elder into an All-ACC player and NFL Draft pick, as well as sending Adrian Colbert to the pros.
NEW at @draftbreakdown: CB Corn Elder (Miami) vs Florida State (2016) https://t.co/W86mGx7OSv pic.twitter.com/TVI1hkoQJg
— Matheus Milanez (@biffmila) December 23, 2016
In 2017, Rumph was without Elder and Colbert, but helped Malek Young reach All-ACC honorable mention, and also developed Michael Jackson into one of the country’s top cornerbacks.
Malek Young has not started yet this season, but I think he is Miami's best corner. Check out his last game: https://t.co/Aebf8NFJh6
— Christopher Stock (@InsideTheU) September 29, 2017
Jackson may be Rumph’s finest coaching job thus far at Miami. All-ACC selections both his junior and senior seasons, Jackson will go down as the one of the best corners ever to suit up for the U.
Miami CB Michael Jackson has been a key cog in the Hurricanes' defense, imposing his will on WRs. #ItsAllAboutTheU (@CanesFootball, @Greatness09_) pic.twitter.com/grWP748vpD
— ACC Digital Network (@theACCDN) January 8, 2019
Due to his standout play for Miami, Jackson also will be a hot name for the upcoming NFL Draft.
Elite RT @PewterReport: Michael Jackson Sr. (DB, Miami) defends Terry Godwin Jr. (WR, UGA). pic.twitter.com/SQVhn28ohw
— LawOfAbundance (@Miami_DaU) January 14, 2019
Having to replace Young going into the 2018 season, Rumph was able to then help establish Trajan Bandy as the next great Miami corner. Bandy is now going into next year as one of college footballs premiere corners.
Trajan Bandy was stout in coverage for the Hurricanes pic.twitter.com/weZgsaDCy5
— PFF College (@PFF_College) December 12, 2018
Rumph’s innate ability to develop these CB’s at Miami will once again prove to be quite the task in 2019. Bandy is back, but finding Jackson’s replacement will be Rumph and new defensive coordinator Blake Baker’s next task. Options are there, such as Gilbert Frierson, Al Blades Jr. and DJ Ivey are all players who might emerge as the next guy.
YESSIR that’s my guy...
— Coach Henry Colombi (@CoachColombi) September 22, 2018
AL BLADES Jr!! @AlBlades_Jr pic.twitter.com/RFgYJPoHel
It’ll also be interesting to see whether or not Rumph and the staff can land highly recruited Christian Williams.
Whoever it is one thing is for certain, Mike Rumph is going to turn him into a playmaker and keep the tradition at cornerback alive for UM.