Canespace

ACC Baseball Tourney Starts Now

Following their best regular season in six years, the Miami Hurricanes will be the No. 3 seed in the 2022 Atlantic Coast Conference Baseball Championship, the league office announced Sunday.

Miami (39-16, 20-10 ACC) is the top team in Pool C, joined by sixth-seeded Wake Forest (39-16-1, 15-14-1 ACC) and 10th-seeded NC State (33-20, 14-15 ACC). The Hurricanes are set to open postseason play at 7 p.m. Wednesday against the Wolfpack. Miami will square off against the Demon Deacons at 3 p.m. Friday to conclude pool play.

Coastal Division champion Virginia Tech and Atlantic Division winner Louisville are the top two seeds for the ACC Baseball Championship, which begins underway Tuesday at Truist Field in Charlotte, N.C.

The Hokies (40-11, 19-9 ACC) earned the No. 1 overall seed and will head up Pool A. Virginia Tech is joined by eighth-seeded North Carolina (34-19, 15-15 ACC) and 12th-seeded Clemson (35-21, 13-16 ACC)

Pool B features No. 2 Louisville (38-16-1, 18-11-1 ACC), along with No. 7 Georgia Tech (33-21, 15-15 ACC) and No. 11 Pitt (27-26, 13-16 ACC).

Fourth-seeded Notre Dame (33-13, 16-11 ACC) is joined in Pool D by fifth-seeded Virginia (38-15, 17-13 ACC) and No. 9 seed Florida State (32-22, 15-15 ACC).

New Roster Update May 2022

Here is an update as of May 1, 2022:

WIDE RECEIVER POSITION SIGNING
Keyshawn Smith WR 2020
Michael Redding WR 2020
Xavier Restrepo WR 2020
Brashard Smith WR 2021
Jacolby George WR 2021
Romello Brinson WR 2021
Isaiah Horton WR 2022
Frank Ladson WR 2022-T

TIGHT END SIGNING
Will Mallory TE 2018
Dominic Mammarelli TE 2020
Elijah Arroyo TE 2021
Kahlil Brantley TE 2021
Jaleel Skinner TE 2022

RUNNING BACK SIGNING
Don Chaney RB 2020
Jaylan Knighton RB 2020
Thaddius FrankliRB 2021
TreVonte' CitizeRB 2022
Henry Parish RB 2022-T

OFFENSIVE LINE SIGNING
Cleveland Reed OL 2018
Delone Scaife OL 2018
John Campbell OL 2018
Jakai Clark OL 2019
Ousman Traore OL 2019
Zion Nelson OL 2019
Chris Washington OL 2020
Jalen Rivers OL 2020
Isaiah Walker OL 2020-T
Laurence Seymore OL 2021
Michael McLaughlin OL 2021
Ryan Rodriguez OL 2021
Justice Oluwaseun OL 2021-T
Matthew McCoy OL 2022
Anez Cooper OL 2022
Logan Sagapolu OL 2022-T
Jonathan Denis OL 2022-T

QUARTERBACK SIGNING
Peyton Matocha QB 2019
Tyler Van Dyke QB 2020
Jake Garcia QB 2021
Jacurri Brown QB 2022

DEFENSIVE END/TACKLE SIGNING
Jahfari Harvey DE 2019
Chantz Williams DE 2020
Elijah Roberts DE 2020
Jabari Ishmael DE 2021
Nyjalik Kelly DE 2022
Cyrus Moss DE 2022
Antonio MoultrieDE 2022-T
Mitchell Agude DE 2022-T
Jordan Miller DT 2018
Jared Harrison-HDT 2019
Allan Haye DT 2021
Leonard Taylor DT 2021
Ahmad Moten DT 2022
Jacob LichtensteDT 2022-T
Akheem Mesidor DT 2022-T
Darrell Jackson DT 2022-T

LINEBACKER SIGNING
Waynmon Steed LB 2017
Avery Huff LB 2019
Samuel Brooks LB 2019
Corey Flagg Jr LB 2020
Ryan Ragone LB 2020
Chase Smith LB 2021
Thomas Davis LB 2021
Tyler Johnson LB 2021
Wesley BissainthLB 2022
Caleb Johnson LB 2022-T

CORNERBACK/SAFETY SIGNING
Al Blades CB 2018
D.J. Ivey CB 2018
Te'Cory Couch CB 2019
Isaiah Dunson CB 2020
Marcus Clarke CB 2020
Malik Curtis CB 2021
Tyrique StevensonCB 2021-T
Chris Graves CB 2022
Jadem Harris CB 2022
Khamauri Rogers CB 2022
Daryl Porter Jr.CB 2022-T
Gilbert FriersonS 2018
Keontra Smith S 2019
Avantae WilliamsS 2020
Brian Balom S 2020
Jalen Harrell S 2020
Keshawn WashingtS 2020
James Williams S 2021
Kamren Kinchens S 2021
Markeith WilliamS 2022

SPECIAL TEAMS SIGNING
Clay James LS 2019
Louis Hedley P 2019
Andres BorregaleK 2021

Miami Roster: Tony Breaks It Down

HERE IS THE CURRENT 2022 MIAMI HURRICANES FOOTBALL ROSTER:

WIDE RECEIVER POS SIGNING
Dazalin Worsham WR 2020
Keyshawn Smith WR 2020
Michael Redding WR 2020
Xavier Restrepo WR 2020
Brashard Smith WR 2021
Jacolby George WR 2021
Malik Curtis WR 2021
Romello Brinson WR 2021
Isaiah Horton WR 2022
Frank Ladson WR 2022-T

TIGHT END SIGNING
Will Mallory TE 2018
Dominic Mammarelli TE 2020
Elijah Arroyo TE 2021
Kahlil Brantley TE 2021
Jaleel Skinner TE 2022

RUNNING BACK SIGNING
Don Chaney RB 2020
Jaylan Knighton RB 2020
Michael Parrott RB 2020
Thaddius FrankliRB 2021
TreVonte' CitizeRB 2022
Henry Parish RB 2022-T

OFFENSIVE LINE SIGNING
Zalon'tae HillerOL 2017
Cleveland Reed OL 2018
Delone Scaife OL 2018
John Campbell OL 2018
Adam Elgammal OL 2019
Jakai Clark OL 2019
Ousman Traore OL 2019
Zion Nelson OL 2019
Chris WashingtonOL 2020
Jalen Rivers OL 2020
Isaiah Walker OL 2020-T
Laurence SeymoreOL 2021
Michael McLaughlinOL 2021
Ryan Rodriguez OL 2021
Justice Oluwaseun OL 2021-T
Matthew McCoy OL 2022
Anez Cooper OL 2022
Logan Sagapolu OL 2022-T
Jonathan Denis OL 2022-T

QUARTERBACK SIGNING
Peyton Matocha QB 2019
Tyler Van Dyke QB 2020
Jake Garcia QB 2021
Jacurri Brown QB 2022

DEFENSIVE END/TACKLE SIGNING
Jahfari Harvey DE 2019
Chantz Williams DE 2020
Elijah Roberts DE 2020
Jabari Ishmael DE 2021
Nyjalik Kelly DE 2022
Cyrus Moss DE 2022
Antonio MoultrieDE 2022-T
Mitchell Agude DE 2022-T
Jordan Miller DT 2018
Jared Harrison-HDT 2019
Allan Haye DT 2021
Leonard Taylor DT 2021
Ahmad Moten DT 2022
Jacob LichtensteDT 2022-T

LINEBACKER SIGNING
Waynmon Steed LB 2017
Avery Huff LB 2019
Samuel Brooks LB 2019
Corey Flagg Jr LB 2020
Ryan Ragone LB 2020
Chase Smith LB 2021
Deshawn TroutmanLB 2021
Thomas Davis LB 2021
Tyler Johnson LB 2021
Wesley BissainthLB 2022

DEFENSIVE BACK SIGNING
Al Blades DB 2018
D.J. Ivey DB 2018
Gilbert FriersonDB 2018
Keontra Smith DB 2019
Te'Cory Couch DB 2019
Avantae WilliamsDB 2020
Brian Balom DB 2020
Isaiah Dunson DB 2020
Jalen Harrell DB 2020
Keshawn WashingtDB 2020
Marcus Clarke DB 2020
James Williams DB 2021
Kamren Kinchens DB 2021
Chris Graves DB 2022
Jadem Harris DB 2022
Khamauri Rogers DB 2022
Markeith WilliamDB 2022
Tyrique StevensoDB 2021-T

SPECIAL TEAMS SIGNING
Clay James LS 2019
Louis Hedley P 2019
Andres BorregaleK 2021

Canes Crush It

The Miami Hurricanes felt disrespected.

But this weekend, the Hurricanes made a statement.

No. 8 Miami completed its third straight ACC sweep, crushing the No. 3 Virginia Cavaliers, 15-5, Sunday afternoon at Alex Rodriguez Park at Mark Light Field.

“Ever since the start of the season, people didn’t think we’d be doing what we’re doing right now,” third baseman Yohandy Morales, who reached base in three of his four plate appearances. “We have a lot of haters out there but we want to keep proving everybody wrong. I feel like it sends a message to other teams that we’re not here to play games. The U is a great ballclub and we have to keep doing what we’ve been doing.”

With the win, the Hurricanes completed their first sweep over a top-three opponent in 10 years when Miami took all three games from North Carolina in 2012.

“The sweep is a great accomplishment,” head coach Gino DiMare said. “We swung the bat really well and made some plays defensively. At the end of the day, it’s a team effort and they picked up our pitchers.”

In the series finale, Virginia (26-6, 9-6 ACC) jumped on the board with three runs in as many innings, but the Hurricanes (26-6, 13-2) responded with 11 unanswered runs.

Miami scored five times in the third and sixth more tallies in the fourth to take a commanding lead heading into the middle innings.

Freshman outfielder Edgardo Villegas sparked the offensive outburst with a three-run blast in the third that traveled an estimated 359 feet.

“I told them I don’t know what we’re going to be ranked,” DiMare said. “We’re going to move up, but make sure to stay humble, stay grounded and make sure we understand that this poll right now has no bearing. It’s the one at the end of the year. The one poll that I care about is the one at the end of the year. We know where we want to be and it’s a process of working it. I’m happy with where the team is at right now, but by no means should we be patting ourselves on the back saying we have this thing figured out.”

This Is How U Exceed All Expectations

When this men's college basketball season started not much was expected of your Miami Hurricanes. They were picked by "experts" to finish 12th in the ACC.

Some said they were short on talent, short in height and short on bench depth.

Some fans said their coach was old and tired and should be moving on. 

Most people agreed that the Hurricanes would go quietly into the good night.

Turns out that these people were very wrong. In fact, they were dead wrong.

Coach Jim Larranaga delivered a coaching performance for the ages in shaping and molding the 2022 Miami team into something nobody expected.

A beautiful group of hard fighting, never say die, collection of misfits who exceeded all expectations and made it to the Elite Eight of the NCAA finals for the first time in UM history. We will take that anytime!

So on this short, but sweet note, we would like to thank Coach Larranaga and the 2022 men's basketball team for one hell of a fun and exciting ride. 

You have earned our great respect and our sincere gratitude.

It was certainly not expected, and definitely exceeded all of our expectations.

Canes Advance Because Coaching Matters

The University of Miami men’s basketball team took down second-seed and top-10-ranked Auburn, 79-61, Sunday night to earn the fourth Sweet 16 berth in program history.

No. 10-seeded Miami (25-10, 14-6 ACC) led the Tigers, ranked No. 8/7, from start to finish at Bon Secours Wellness Arena, holding the advantage for 39-plus minutes in a spectacular display at both ends of the floor.

Third-year sophomore guard Isaiah Wong scored a game-high 21 points for the Hurricanes, who are headed to the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament for the third time in the last decade.

“I can’t be happier for my guys. They did such a fantastic job of executing the game plan,” Miami head coach Jim Larrañaga said after leading his team to the Sweet 16 for the third time in his 11-year tenure. “We just kept plugging away. Our defense is about pressure, keeping pressure on the opponent and trying to force turnovers. These guys did a fantastic job of doing that.”

The Hurricanes made six of their first nine shots, while Auburn (28-6, 15-3 SEC) opened 1-of-4 with four turnovers, helping Miami grab a 13-4 edge after just 4:19 of action.

The Tigers pulled back within five, but Miami regained its nine-point edge, 23-14, with 7:27 on the clock. At that point, the Hurricanes had five steals and zero turnovers, while holding Auburn to 5-of-19 shooting.

Miami eventually took a one-point lead, 33-32, into the locker room after the Tigers scored the final five points of the half. It marked the smallest lead of the entire session for the Hurricanes, who led for the final 19:28 of the frame.

Through 20 minutes, Miami held the Tigers to 38.7 percent shooting (12-of-31), including a 2-of-10 mark on 3-pointers after they missed their first seven attempts.

The Hurricanes scored eight straight points to begin the second half, taking a 41-32 edge with 17:35 to play. Miami went on to take a 14-point advantage, 64-50, with 7:17 left after posting an 11-4 run in just 3:12.

Auburn answered with six straight points in 80 seconds to make it 64-56 with 5:55 remaining, but Miami used an 8-2 run to go back up by 14, 72-58, with just 2:13 to play. That eventually became a game-ending 15-5 burst, as the Hurricanes won by 18 points, their largest margin of the game. Miami scored the final seven points in the last 73 seconds.

“The second half, we were everywhere. These guys were able to make plays, get to the open court,” Larrañaga said. “Auburn is a very high, up-tempo team but we feel very, very comfortable in that environment, as well. These guys ran for layups and made a lot of really good decisions in the open court. I congratulate all of them.”

Wong’s game-best point total came on 8-of-18 shooting from the field and a 5-of-5 clip at the line, and he added six rebounds. Sixth-year redshirt senior guard Kameron McGusty totaled 20 points on a superb 10-of-18 mark, also notching six rebounds, four assists and a game-best four steals. He tied the program record for steals in an NCAA Tournament game and became the third Hurricane with double-digit made field goals in such a contest.

Sixth-year redshirt senior guard Charlie Moore nearly recorded a triple-double, finishing with 15 points, a career-high nine rebounds and a game-best eight assists, adding three steals. Fourth-year junior guard Jordan Miller posted 12 points and three steals.

Sophomore guard KD Johnson and junior forward Jaylin Williams co-led the Tigers with 12 points apiece. Sophomore guard Wendell Green Jr., tallied 11 points and freshman forward Jabari Smith had 10.

Smith, a Second Team All-American and presumptive top-three NBA Draft pick, shot just 3-of-16 from the floor, including 1-of-8 from 3-point range, though he did lead all players with 15 rebounds to log a double-double. Meanwhile, sophomore forward/center Walker Kessler, a Third Team All-American, scored two points and shot 0-of-6 from the floor.

The Hurricanes shot 48.5 percent (32-of-66) from the floor and 80.0 percent (12-of-15) at the line, while limiting Auburn to just a 30.4 percent clip (21-of-69) from the field at the other end, the lowest mark by an opponent this year. En route to posting the second-highest NCAA Tournament point total, Miami set a program record for made field goals in the event.

The Hurricanes opened just 1-of-10 from 3-point range and finished 3-of-15 (20.0 percent), but still outshot the Tigers from deep, as they went 5-of-26 (19.2 percent), the second-lowest ledger by a Miami foe this year.

Miami, which committed only four turnovers and forced 13, registered 10 steals compared to Auburn’s one. That led to a staggering 30-1 edge in fast-break points and 17-2 advantage in points of giveaways for the Hurricanes, who also posted a 48-28 margin in paint points to earn the first NCAA Tournament victory over a top-two seed in program history.

The Hurricanes now head to Chicago, where they play No. 11-seeded Iowa State Friday at 9:45 p.m. ET, live on TBS from the United Center.

Drama 101: Hurricanes Hold On To Beat USC

The University of Miami men’s basketball team won a thrilling 68-66 NCAA Tournament first-round matchup Friday evening against seventh-seeded USC.

The No. 10-seeded Hurricanes took a 13-point first-half lead on the Trojans, ranked No. 21/22, and withstood a 17-point turnaround that saw USC take a four-point second-half edge. With the score even and just three seconds to go, sixth-year redshirt senior guard Charlie Moore calmly sank a pair of free throws to give Miami (24-10, 14-6 ACC) its first postseason victory since 2016.

Third-year sophomore guard Isaiah Wong scored a game-high 22 points, including each of the first 13, for the Hurricanes at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.

“We played a great first half, got up by 11 [at the break]. We forced turnovers. We played exactly like we hoped we’d play,” Miami head coach Jim Larrañaga said. “And then in the second half, Southern Cal made some adjustments. They actually changed their starting lineup to start the second half. They got off to a great start and they ended up taking the lead, but our guys never give up and they kept plugging away. We had some guys off the bench who stepped in and gave us quality minutes. We shot 1-for-14 from three, but still won the game because we took care of the basketball. We only had three turnovers in a 40-minute game; that really helps.”

The Hurricanes held USC (26-8, 14-6 P12) scoreless for the first 3:14, as the Trojans missed their first four shots, en route to a 2-of-10 start from the floor. Miami began 1-of-9 at the other end.

Wong scored all of the Hurricanes’ 13 points through eight-plus minutes, shooting 5-of-8 from the floor and 3-of-4 at the line while his teammates began 0-of-8 on field goals. The Trojans, however went on an 8-3 run to take a 14-13 edge, their first lead, with exactly nine minutes on the clock.

The Hurricanes answered with a 16-2 burst, sparked by 10 straight points, in 5:42 to turn a one-point deficit into a 13-point lead, 29-16, with 3:03 on the clock. USC went 7:02 without a field goal until making a jump-shot with 1:59 to go in the frame. Miami eventually took an 11-point cushion, 31-20, into the locker room, with USC tying the lowest first-half point total by any Hurricane foe this year.

Despite shooting 0-of-8 from 3-point range through 20 minutes, its first half of the year without a long-range make, Miami held USC to a 29.7 percent clip (8-of-27) from the floor and forced 12 turnovers, while committing just one.

The Trojans scored 17 points in the first 5:18 coming out of the break, including using a 12-0 run in just 3:16 to take a 37-33 edge with 14:42 remaining, as Miami went scoreless for 4:43. A personal 5-0 run from Wong then put the Hurricanes back ahead, 38-37, with 13:53 to play.

After conceding the lead soon thereafter, Miami used a 7-0 run in 2:03 to take a 47-42 advantage with 9:05 left. The Trojans then countered with a 7-1 burst to go up, 49-48, with 7:12 to go. After the sides exchanged baskets, Moore hit the Hurricanes’ first and only 3-pointer with 5:47 on the clock to give his team a 53-51 edge.

USC responded with three points in a row, going in front, 54-53, with 4:51 remaining, but then the Hurricanes began to retake control. They went on a 12-4 run, capped with six straight points in 68 seconds to build a seven-point edge, 65-58, with 44 ticks left after a pair of free throws by freshman guard Bensley Joseph.

The Trojans once again responded, as senior guard Drew Peterson hit back-to-back 3-pointers, sandwiched around a Miami turnover to trim the deficit to one, 65-64, with 25.3 seconds left. Following a free throw by sixth-year redshirt senior forward Sam Waardenburg to double the lead a second later, Peterson leveled the score at 66 with 14.2 seconds left, capping a personal 8-1 run in just 20 seconds.

At the other end, Moore drove to the rim, got fouled with three ticks to play and hit both his free throws. Peterson’s last-second half-court shot missed the mark, sending the Hurricanes into celebration.

“All is well that ends well. I’m just so happy,” Larrañaga said. “When you get guys like Charlie Moore and Jordan Miller who transfer in, you just hope that it’s a good experience for them. The other guys who have been here for a long time, they know what our program has been about.”

And So It Begins

In so many ways, it marks the start of a new season. But on this particular morning, the first day of spring football practice signaled so much more.

It was every bit a new beginning for Miami’s players, some of whom were back on the field after dealing with injuries or who now find themselves the veteran leaders of the team.

But it was a homecoming, too, for a former Hurricanes offensive lineman who won two national titles at Miami and on Monday, returned to Greentree in a role he’d once only dreamed of having: head coach of the Miami Hurricanes.

“Yeah, it’s pretty insane. That’s pretty insane,” said Mario Cristobal, who returned to his alma mater as its new coach last December and presided over his first practice Monday. “Now, it’s the first hundred days. I think it was…yesterday or today where a hundred days actually kick in. Oh man, it still hasn’t set in. But what did set in is that this journey began 25 years ago. Twenty-five years ago. I’m like ‘Wow.’ That first meeting with [former head coach Butch] Davis upstairs led to this opportunity.

“So, yeah, the excitement is through the roof and through the stratosphere to be able to get after it, always keeping in mind that we’ve got to teach and teach and teach and then teach some more as we mentor. But just keeping the focus on them. I’ll focus on my stuff someday. Maybe in, I don’t know, July when we could have things settle down a little bit and then reflect. But no, without a doubt, this is…it is absolutely, man, it’s awesome.”

Cristobal continued, “The coaches are asking ‘What are you doing here?’ I’m like ‘I’m doing what I’m supposed to do. Job’s not done. Job’s not finished.’ And that’s what we are supposed to do. Best part about her, she’s relentless, tireless. There’s just no give. She’s going to finish everything and that’s what we do. That’s the way we’ve been raised. So I think it’s good. I think it was incredible to be on Greentree today, man.”

And Cristobal was very much all over Greentree throughout his first practice.

The coach moved from position group to position group and from drill to drill, lending his expertise, providing support and taking in the work being done all around him.

His drive – and the motivation from the rest of Miami’s staff – players said kept the Hurricanes going throughout a two-hour practice under the warm South Florida sun.

“It was a great day today. There’s a lot of stuff to work on still, some little missed assignments that we need to get more detailed on, but other than that, I thought we had a good practice,” said quarterback Tyler Van Dyke, the ACC Rookie of the Year who threw for 2,931 yards and 25 touchdowns while completing 62 percent of his passes last season. “Guys were working hard, great effort…It’s special. Every time we get the opportunity to go out there and play, it’s always a blessing. You go out there with your teammates and do what you love to do. You couldn’t ask for me. And yeah, Coach Cristobal’s first time in like a set practice out there. It was pretty cool. He’s one of the top coaches in the country. We’re really excited he’s here.”

Added defensive end Jahfari Harvey with a smile, “We got that [energy] from all the coaches, making us work, how it’s supposed to be. [They’re] getting on us, coaching us hard. A whole bunch of, how do I say it? Getting on our tail today.”

Read more here:

https://miamihurricanes.com/news/2022/03/07/fb-feature-spring-day-one-the-excitement-is-through-the-roof/

Lady Canes Are Living Large

The University of Miami women’s basketball team is headed to its first ACC Championship title game in program history after downing the No. 20 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (22-8, 13-5 ACC), 57-54, Saturday afternoon at the Greensboro Coliseum.

The Hurricanes (20-11, 10-8 ACC) have won three games in three days en route to a title game berth, including back-to-back victories over top-25 opponents. Miami has come close to playing in the ACC Championship, making three semifinals appearances before this season, but never completed the bid.

Miami is just the second seven-seed to make it to championship Sunday, following in the footsteps of the 1992 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. The Hurricanes are looking to become the first seven-seed to cut down the nets in Greensboro, N.C.

Graduate student Kelsey Marshall led the charge for the Hurricanes, recording 18 points and four 3-pointers in the game to pace all scorers. Senior Karla Erjavec joined Marshall in double-figures with 10 points on the afternoon, nine of which came in the second half alone.

After her historic 27-point outing on Friday, graduate student Destiny Harden cooled off a bit on offense but was still a crucial piece for the Hurricanes, leading Miami on the boards with seven rebounds.

Eight Hurricanes scored in Miami’s victory over Notre Dame and eight players also tallied a rebound in the contest. As a team, the Hurricanes outrebounded the Fighting Irish, 36-31, including an 11-3 mark on the offensive end.

The Miami seniors would not be denied and Erjavec responded with a driving layup to give Miami the 52-51 edge. Marshall followed up with a huge 3-pointer at 1:55 in the fourth to put Miami ahead by four. Senior Dara Mabrey responded with a three of her own to make the score 56-54, in favor of the Hurricanes, with 36 ticks left on the game clock.

Senior Mykea Gray took a trip to the free throw line, knocking down 1-of-2 shots, to put Miami up, 57-54, and the Hurricanes made a huge stop on defense to seal the victory.

The Hurricanes will take on reigning ACC Champion and first-seeded NC State Wolfpack on Sunday in the ACC Championship title game. The contest is slated to tipoff at 12 p.m. and will air on ESPN.

Read more at: hurricanesports.com

We Don't Get Fooled Again

The Who, a rock band that some of you may have never heard of, once wrote:

I'll tip my hat to the new Constitution
Take a bow for the new revolution
Smile and grin at the change all around
Pick up my guitar and play
Just like yesterday
Then I'll get on my knees and pray
We don't get fooled again

On Canespace there has been an on-going conversation for over 15 years about one central question in college football: "Does Coaching matter?" Now everyone knows that, of course, coaching matters. But how much is the real question?

And the question gets more complicated the deeper you dig. Is the recruiting process more important than coaching? Is it talent more important than coaching? And, how much does coaching really matter after all?

There are several opinions on each of these very important and interesting questions. I am going to separate recruiting and talent from this argument for the sake of this article. I am going to focus only on the coaching variable to try to make this argument very precise and concise.

When Bum Phillips was the head coach of the Houston Oilers back in the day he made the following complimentary statement about the Miami Dolphins head coach Don Shula (paraphrasing): "He can take his players and beat your team, and he can take your players and beat his team." 

That statement clearly and directly indicated that coaching was the MOST important element of winning and losing. Most fans are somewhat in between deciding that coaching means all or nothing in winning and losing.

Some say it is 70/30 coaching versus talent. Some say it is 30/70 coaching versus talent. Others go with a 60/40 or 50/50 argument of coaching versus talent. But does anybody really know what the actual equation is? Probably not, and if they say they do, they are probably lying to you.

However, once and for all, we are about to answer this question at the University of Miami. If coaching matters we are certainly about to find out.

Newly hired head coach Mario Cristobal has hired an amazingly talented coaching staff in Coral Gables. A staff so incredibly talented, experienced, motivated and professional that we are frankly surprised that he, or any coach at any college, was able to accomplish this surprising and impressive feat.

So we are about to find out really quickly if Manny Diaz was a fraud and a failure or if the talent on the team was significantly below average. 

Simply put, coaching will no longer be the acceptable scapegoat or the excuse, only the talent to win will be. The truth will reveal itself.

Time will tell, but my money is on Mario, and that coaching matters.

Then I'll get on my knees and pray, we don't get fooled again.