Hi guys, it’s Marsh. Long time, no talk.
So, how should I begin, what is there even to say? I can write my complaints about the Hurricanes, but it’ll be the same thing fans have heard for the last 15 seasons.
Summary of Canes football since 2005 pic.twitter.com/FE5P8ADvz2
— Marsh (@hurricanesmarsh) September 19, 2021
Let me start by saying this, Miami is an Andy Borregales field goal against App State away from being 0-5 in their last 5 games, dating back to last year. In that span, they surrendered 62 points to UNC, lost their 10th bowl game in 11 bowl appearances, was blown out against Alabama, and then lost by 21 points at home to Michigan State.
#canes players did their fair share today. The drops, the senseless penalties, missed reads, missed tackles. They handcuffed the coaches plenty today.
— rOmaN (@Romancane) September 18, 2021
But 15-12 and seeing the regression is all on Manny. This isn't a well coached team.
You really can't argue that anymore.
Miami entered the season ranked #14, and so far they’ve been outscored 105-55, the offense is averaging a mere 18.3 points per game, and they’re 1-2 to start for the second time in three seasons. Oh, and statistically they’re the worst tackling team in the nation. 30 missed tackles against Michigan State. THIRTY.
Stop with the excuses. Just stop. There has been zero progress in three years.
— Mike Zimmermann (@MikeCZim) September 18, 2021
Changes need to be made, and it starts at the very top.
I’m so tired of the same mediocrity. I’m exhausted.
Now yes, Miami hasn’t played an ACC game yet, they still can go on a streak, win the Coastal and play for the conference championship. We ALL hope that happens. I’d be on the first plane to Charlotte to go watch the Canes.
But at this point, who’s actually confident that’ll happen? And if you do think that’ll happen, props to you for being so optimistic, I salute you. Unfortunately though, I don’t think it’s in the cards.
The fact that people were predicting 10 wins prior to the season, and the fact that now Miami would have to win the remaining 9 games on the schedule just to meet that, it’s embarrassing. The fact that Miami is 23-21 since the Notre Dame game in 2017, is embarrassing. The fact that Hurricanes fans lose their minds like this every season, is embarrassing.
Moving Backwards... pic.twitter.com/calSu6o6O8
— Canes Access (@CanesAccess) September 18, 2021
And let me say this, I’ve ALWAYS been a Manny Diaz guy. Loved him as a defensive coordinator, applauded the hire when he became head coach, and for the most part, I had always believed he could get this program to where it needed to be. I wanted him to succeed so badly, we all did.
Manny Diaz is going to bring the U back. Just you watch
— Marsh (@hurricanesmarsh) February 13, 2019
We bought into the hype during the 2019 off-season, 2020 off-season and 2021 off-season. We bought into #TNM, the rides on yachts, the confidence, the firing of poor coaches and hiring of flashy new assistants. For the most part, all Miami fans thought Manny was the guy.
Manny says older players have made plays in the past. What does that have to do with the present, and your football team that’s currently 1-2?
— Marsh (@hurricanesmarsh) September 20, 2021
But he’s not the guy. Simple as that. The experiment didn’t work.
If this holds, this will drop Manny Diaz to 15-12, with 4 losses in last 5. He's tried everything - two OCs, a turnover chain, doubling as d-coordinator, not doubling as d-coordinator, changing DB and DL and WR coaches, TD rings, a Martell,and alas, not nearly enough has worked.
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) September 18, 2021
Year three under Diaz as head coach, and Miami is still repeating the same problems. They can’t come strong in the first half, too many penalties, undisciplined, and veteran players who have continued to underperform are still somehow starting. The accountability is still not there, after three years.
This play has gone viral but it’s so unbelievable I’m posting it again. 2 veterans in 5 and 26 are the epitome of what a Manny Diaz coached team looks like. Speechless. pic.twitter.com/XvSqvIX0VP
— Canes Legacy (@CanesLegacy) September 19, 2021
But at the end of the day, I can’t put all the blame on Manny, because in reality, he should’ve never been hired in the first place. A first time head coach should never have been viewed as the savior for this program.
I’m not mad at Manny Diaz. He cares and works hard. It’s not his fault he’s wildly unqualified for the position. This is on Blake James - he rushed to hire Manny, and has accepted mediocrity within the program for years. Simply replacing Manny doesn’t address the root cause https://t.co/5jyn1FdD7t
— Michael Perchick (@MichaelPerchick) September 18, 2021
Blake James. That’s all I’m going to say on that subject.
The basketball team saw a plethora of transfers to an embarrassing level.
— rOmaN (@Romancane) September 18, 2021
The baseball team went full nepotism and underperformed.
The football team hired someone who was set to be a first time head coach at temple.
It's more than just football.
It’s hard to talk about a head coaching search when the season is only 3 weeks away, so I’m not going to put out a list of names or anything like that.
Simply RT'ing. https://t.co/JmLIwmeoxm
— StateOfTheU.com (@TheStateOfTheU) September 19, 2021
However, enough is enough. Not just speaking of Manny, but in general. One bowl win since 2006, one Coastal title since 2004, zero ACC championships since joining the conference, enough is enough. Attendance will continue to drop, recruits will continue to hear about how great The U used to be because there isn’t any recent success, how much longer can this go on?
You're in the most talent rich portion of the world. There is no reason to be this bad for this long. I don't think you can even argue that.
— rOmaN (@Romancane) September 14, 2021
Say it again — if the Miami Hurricanes & USC Trojans want to matter and truly cut thru in crowded, distracted pro markets — go to the NFL for your coach. Go BIG. Canes missed AGAIN on another college hire.
— Colin Cowherd (@ColinCowherd) September 18, 2021
At what point is average football and mediocrity unacceptable? Guess we’ll find out.