Today it was announced by the University of Miami that Alonzo Highsmith may be coming home to help his Miami Hurricanes Football team try to regain its rightful place among college football elites and a return to its glory days.
On the surface, and as a move in the right direction, we would like that a lot.
However, we must caution the highly respected Mr. Highsmith that while we believe he absolutely has the "right stuff" given his credentials as a player and player personnel director in the NFL to accomplish his goals here at UM, he definitely has his work cut out for him. And we are dead serious.
The coaching staff needs to be improved today.
The roster composition needs work over time.
The level of talent needs to be improved as soon as possible.
The off-season conditioning program needs work.
The practice field competition level needs to be improved.
The offensive and defensive schemes need work going forward.
Special teams is an outright disaster and the "coach" needs to be fired now.
That is just a short list and scratching the surface of what needs to be fixed to make this program right. Notice we didn't mention the "culture of the program" like the current head coach has done numerous times.
That is just loser talk for "we don't pratice or play well, our fundamentals are horrible, our play calling is suspect, we don't use our talent effectively and we can't win games against significantly inferior teams."
Start practicing and playing hard, start winning games that you should win, stop blaming players or making excuses for the coaching failures and maybe, just maybe. the "culture will change".
If you choose to accept this position, we wish you all of the support that you will most certainly need to turn this quickly sinking ship around Mr. Highsmith.
And get to work making us proud to throw up "The U" once again!
Soupster, Raize I spit my Sam Adams Beer out last night when I got the Email from The Miami Ticket's for next year. Amen on watching Not only Oregon and Wisconsin but watching Clemson, LSU, Ohio State and Oklahoma Offensive Lines makes me envious and longing for better days as well. Our Whole Football operation needs to be upgraded and the money is there but our commitment from the BOT and AD is lacking and that is tragic.
Posted by: Terrance M Sullivan | January 02, 2020 at 11:29 AM
CANESPACE DESPERADOES
. . . reporting for action, sir!
Posted by: alpine | January 02, 2020 at 11:40 AM
^^above re: Posted by: 86Cane | January 02, 2020 at 10:19 AM
Posted by: alpine | January 02, 2020 at 11:40 AM
CMD is looking for these guys to come in via the transfer portal to beef up our offensive line for next season.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DP6Xd9NR5w
Posted by: raizecane | January 02, 2020 at 11:57 AM
2) Butch is a lying snake who's time here ended the day he slithered out of town here in 2000. Used to like him and understood why he bolted but the way he's continued to try and rewrite history the last few years shows him for exactly what he is.
He has one 10 win season in TWENTY years of coaching and beating this pathetic, lazy, poorly coached Canes team makes him 0% more qualified to ever be on our sidelines again. He is an average coach who struck lightning in a bottle, once.
Posted by: Go Canes!! | January 02, 2020 at 08:34 AM
Al Golden did the very same things and you castrated Him with yo' lips!!!
Keep slurpin', slurper!!!
Posted by: CaneRock | January 02, 2020 at 01:06 PM
CANESPACE DESPERADOES
. . . reporting for action, sir!
Posted by: alpine | January 02, 2020 at 11:40 AM
Well played Sir!
Posted by: 86Cane | January 02, 2020 at 01:07 PM
Wait Didn't Manny take a job at Temple only to rescind this decsion like two weeks later? Is that just a "fake out" or is that lying enough for you?
"I am so excited to be in Philly and honored to be the head coach at Temple University," said Diaz. "I can't wait to get in front of our Temple TUFF guys and then to get on the road recruiting. I am looking forward to bringing in a great class of guys that want to take Temple to the next level."
On December 13, 2018, Diaz was named the 28th head football coach at Temple University, replacing Geoff Collins, who left to become the head coach at Georgia Tech. However, Diaz never coached a game and left to return to Miami as their head football coach on December 30, 2018. Diaz apologized for the circumstances and said "I hate the way this unfolded with respect to Temple...I was given a tremendous opportunity to lead the Temple program and...I do hope that the Temple players, administration and fans appreciate the uniqueness of this situation and the overwhelming pull to stay home."[9]
Head fake!
A wink is as good as a nod to a blind squirrel?
Posted by: 86Cane | January 02, 2020 at 01:15 PM
Oh and BTW, the coach Manny went to replace at Temple, Geoff Collins, well he went to GT, and in his first year, beat Manny 28-21.
The hits just keep on coming!
Posted by: 86Cane | January 02, 2020 at 01:18 PM
Let's conduct a poll.
Who are the FIVE worst head coaches in the entire FBS?
P.S. You only have to list the other FOUR contenders.
Posted by: nemo2020 (fka nemo2002) | January 02, 2020 at 01:43 PM
Don't know about 5 worst......but the following 4 are in the "hotseat" -
herman - texas
sumlin - arizona
muschamp - south carolina
dantonio - michigan state
Posted by: raizecane | January 02, 2020 at 02:00 PM
Posted by: raizecane | January 02, 2020 at 02:00 PM
Helton at USC is probably a done deal already. If not he should probably be there.
Posted by: Go Canes!! | January 02, 2020 at 02:15 PM
Posted by: CaneRock | January 02, 2020 at 01:06 PM
What up CR. Happy New Year.
Posted by: Go Canes!! | January 02, 2020 at 02:16 PM
Hello all hope you are well. Kind of a rough New Years for me. My mom would have been 90 yesterday.....sure miss her, but her passing gives me added strength and determination..."The Force of Katherine" so to speak. She is my light forever!!
One of my former players, a good kid named Shawn who played fullback and corner for me, went through a road check New Years Eve. He was home on leave from Marine Corps. I do not have all the details, but apparently he was over the limit and was going to be taken in. He pulled a handgun and shot himself in the head. Don't know if it was he was upset re consequences with the Corps or what, but he is in critical condition. Yes he was wrong for driving, but this really disturbs me. He is 24 years old, and a tough kid when he played for me. Please have him in your prayers.
Finally, Al and Solar....I washed the hands well....forgive me for having my opinions....ok to have em, but about certain things its best to keep em buttoned. Heck this is a football/rock and roll blog....will keep it that way!!
Whisky or Oregon would kill us. Oregon was not proficient and did not execute every play, but those kids played with heart. Super Mario is pretty cool guy....and those kids played with intensity....at full speed. They found a way to win...like a UM team MC would have been on!! I loved the way they played...we used to do that...and NEED to FIND that Intensity and DESIRE to WIN!!! He aint coming here, but I do like his vision.
We have to find an intense coach with a FORWARD looking vision...and everyone has to answer to him...not to the AD, not to the BOT....Tsully would agree....he is the boss!! I love our history, but the past is past...nice to muse on...but like the MC5 say....Future is NOW!!!
This is not going to work...fire em all!!!
Happy New Year to the Family!!!
VAC
Posted by: VA Cane | January 02, 2020 at 02:39 PM
Yo CR great to hear from you.....hope you are well friend!!!
Posted by: VA Cane | January 02, 2020 at 02:40 PM
Happy new year tom! Happy new year cane family!!
Tom, while most of the things u said r on point. I don’t agree everything u listed is the problem u say it is. But it might be neither here or there. Because we r loosing. But I thought I should say it.
1 Ppl keep talking about our recruiting. Please stop. We get a good amount of 4 stars and some 5 stars sometimes, granted, not as much as the Alabamas of the world. But when Baylor is top 15 and Appalachian state is top 25, please don’t talk to me about talent.
2 I beg to differ on conditioning. It’s gotten better since Richt. And this new strength coach is apparently a beast. I don’t see our players getting tired at the end of games.
3 Defense is the only thing we can hang our hat on. Someone could correct me, but I believe we’ve been top 10 average since Manny got here. And him and his defensive staff have been geniuses in the way they’ve recruited D players. Our D line is once again Elite level. I mean, the guy pulled Greg Rousseau out of a hat like a magician, a kid that didn’t even play on the D line in high school. His striker position is the truth. His philosophy of all out war to the QB is fucking hey! He’s the best D co-ord we’ve had since Shanon. And I would say his better than Shanon.
4 development! Well the development on the D side of the team seems to be going great. The O side is what we r missing.
The O line and QB play r killing us. The types of QBs we recruit need good OL play. That is the bulk of the issue of the O side.
The culture sucks, yes. And coaching needs to be better. U simply need a tyrant like Jimmy Johnson or Nick Saban. The team got destroyed after the loss to FIU. And there was no coming back from that. But we’ve seen that story before. Historically, it’s been after a loss to FSU. and the team collapses. Perhaps the coach does need help. I can’t believe dabo Sweeney is a tougher coach than manny. Dabo is a clown. But he has damn good assistants.
Manny needs help. I like the idea of the football tzar, been kicked around.
I’m afraid if we loose him, we loose our ace on the D side. But if he doesn’t get it going, that’s what’s going to happen.
To recap, it’s the CULTURE & the COACHING stupid.
Posted by: AfriCane | January 02, 2020 at 03:06 PM
Preach VA!
Posted by: Terrance M Sullivan | January 02, 2020 at 03:42 PM
AfriCane U lost all credibility when you say Dabo is a Clown. Just Stop It Now and Slap Yourself for the Dumbest Comment in Canespace History!
Posted by: Terrance M Sullivan | January 02, 2020 at 03:44 PM
Terrence, I’ll put it this way. It wasn’t a comment I expect everyone to agree with me on. I fucking don’t like dabo. I give him his props. He built a juggernaut, I’ll give him that. He has a great system and goals coaches. But Les Miles was also a coach on a good team too. Do u love Les. Even if u say dabo is a good coach, can’t fight that. But I don’t fucking like him. That’s my opinion.
Posted by: AfriCane | January 02, 2020 at 04:38 PM
Ha That's all you had to say from the beginning adn I totally understand your point AfriCane!
Posted by: Terrance M Sullivan | January 02, 2020 at 05:09 PM
ASU plays in a half azz conference. Whom ever recruits the best will buzz through it. They do tend to play competitive against power 5 schools.
To get to the point, the spread has allowed a lot of schools to be somewhat competitive but it's on the defensive side where they struggle against most power5 schools.
Aside from Clemson, the ACC shouldn't be considered a power 5 conference. We are no better than conference USA.
No body plays to much DEE in the Big 8 but I like how Baylors DEE flies to the ball.
Posted by: HerbieIbis | January 02, 2020 at 06:14 PM
I love the past teams, but I have both 30 x 30s about the U. Fun to watch and reminisce but it aint Now......Manson had a saying...."Come to now"...thats what we have to do....come to now get with it and move into a bright future. CMD aint gonna do it....fine DC...but thats all. He cannot lead...just is not gonna happen.
Got to get that guy who people will follow to worlds end...and all will answer to him....The AD and BOT need to get out of the way....they are figureheads i do not respect and will not answer to....I want our guys to answer to the coach first!
Posted by: VA Cane | January 02, 2020 at 06:26 PM
Throw in Mcneese St,La Tech automatic wins
Posted by: solarcane | January 01, 2020 at 11:41 PM
Ha,Ha,Ha,Ha,Ha,Ha.😂😂😂😂
Automatic wins??? Like GT, FIU, and La Tech THIS year?
We suck... We need a new AD, and a new HC, or we will CONTINUE to suck for the near future, and have NO "automatic" wins anywhere on our schedule.
Posted by: roachcane77 | January 02, 2020 at 06:39 PM
Don't know about 5 worst......but the following 4 are in the "hotseat" -
herman - texas
sumlin - arizona
muschamp - south carolina
dantonio - michigan state
Posted by: raizecane | January 02, 2020 at 02:00 PM
Some people have said Harbaugh should move on, too.
The sad thing is that I would take any of these 5 coaches over CMD
Posted by: BigWindyCane1 | January 02, 2020 at 06:54 PM
Automatic wins??? Like GT, FIU, and La Tech THIS year?
We suck... We need a new AD, and a new HC, or we will CONTINUE to suck for the near future, and have NO "automatic" wins anywhere on our schedule.
Posted by: roachcane77 | January 02, 2020 at 06:39 PM
Don’t forget a struggling Duke team whipped CMD’s squad. The easiest Canes schedule in years, and the Canes finish the season with seven losses
Posted by: BigWindyCane1 | January 02, 2020 at 06:58 PM
Posted by: roachcane77 | January 02, 2020 at 06:39 PM
15 years later we are automatic wins on other teams schedule... what goes around
Happy New Year my friend
Posted by: solarcane | January 02, 2020 at 06:59 PM
The sad thing is that I would take any of these 5 coaches over CMD
Posted by: BigWindyCane1 | January 02, 2020 at 06:54 PM
Not sure if I stand Muschump
Posted by: KYcane | January 02, 2020 at 07:34 PM
Somebody needs to get Terrance a snickers bar
Posted by: KYcane | January 02, 2020 at 07:35 PM
TE Washington goes to Georgia
Posted by: solarcane | January 02, 2020 at 07:40 PM
Washinton is a big boy...beast....I can see why he went there....why would you come here? You got nobody to get the ball to him....and I am not sold on Mochata or Van Dyke being saviors or even really good QBs.......
Posted by: VA Cane | January 02, 2020 at 07:52 PM
This Worsham kid is getting wide open every play, he has some bad azz hair too
Posted by: solarcane | January 02, 2020 at 08:02 PM
Haha KY!
Posted by: Terrance M Sullivan | January 02, 2020 at 08:37 PM
Someone needs to get Tsully a really cold beer...he is just preaching the truth!!!
Tell em Sully fire CMD fire Blake James!!!
Problem is the administration....get rid of them and get football people in the football positions...not politicians!!!
Fire CMD...let him run for Mayor in the next election!!
Posted by: VA Cane | January 02, 2020 at 08:47 PM
FSU fires Terry Lockett-good coach-good recruiter-coached at Miami Central & Northwestern---go get him little Manny!!
Posted by: TJL | January 02, 2020 at 08:48 PM
We need a new AD, and a new HC, or we will CONTINUE to suck for the near future, and have NO "automatic" wins anywhere on our schedule.
Posted by: roachcane77 | January 02, 2020 at 06:39 PM
Not gonna happen, not gonna happen, and yes there IT is.
Posted by: 58 Straight | January 02, 2020 at 09:00 PM
Somebody needs to get Terrance a snickers bar
Posted by: KYcane | January 02, 2020 at 07:35 PM
Not gonna work.
He needs a 12 pack of Sam Adams...STAT!
Posted by: 58 Straight | January 02, 2020 at 09:01 PM
To recap, it’s the CULTURE & the COACHING stupid.
Posted by: AfriCane | January 02, 2020 at 03:06 PM
Just wanna win, win now, win often.
Got no hate or love for anybody, just wanna win.
Posted by: 58 Straight | January 02, 2020 at 09:02 PM
Glad to see Telly Lockette isn’t going to be recruiting for FSU in our backyard anymore. Seems to have a lot of support among the FSU’s fandom. Would love for CMD to find a spot for him, but that’s not going to happen. Lockette is well respected and I wouldn’t be surprised if he will has another coaching job within a month
Posted by: BigWindyCane1 | January 02, 2020 at 11:16 PM
Posted by: AfriCane | January 02, 2020 at 03:06 PM
Just wanna win, win now, win often.
Got no hate or love for anybody, just wanna win.
Posted by: 58 Straight | January 02, 2020 at 09:02 PM
💯!
In the words of Al Davis, “Just win baby!”
Posted by: BigWindyCane1 | January 02, 2020 at 11:18 PM
I’m going to get flack for this. Not sure if u could really make a case for firing a 1st time head coach that went 6-7 in his first ever head coaching job.
I know we r all hurt, but think about it. No coach would want to come here after that. IJS!
Posted by: AfriCane | January 03, 2020 at 01:08 AM
Hey guys! There’s something in the water down here. I think we could get urban Mayer here and he couldn’t turn this shit around.
I don’t know if ZO can do it. I support his hire. But I will not say he can get it done for sure, until he gets it done. Shanon was a UM lifer. He coached in the nfl. Won a championship with us as a DC. He was a cant miss as a Coach. And then he missed.
JUST PRAY 🙏🏾
Posted by: AfriCane | January 03, 2020 at 01:31 AM
disappointing basketball i just watched it on replay
. . . hurricanes women really let one get away
. . . i hate when my team is a killer in the beginning; a wimp at the end
Posted by: alpine | January 03, 2020 at 08:10 AM
If Highsmith is hired, what exactly can he do to turn this program around?
Doesn't the answer to this question depend on the scope of his duties and powers vis-a-vis head coach Manny Diaz?
What EXACTLY would "Chief of Staff" Highsmith do? Which STAFF would be under his control? And how EXACTLY would this new administrative position improve recruiting, coaching, or player development and retention?
Merely hiring a former player who was/is a fan favorite doesn't change anything!
My overarching concern is that AD BJ mainly wants a SYMBOLIC HIRE to appease disgruntled fans (of a certain age) and to militate against tanking ticket sales. But this won't do anything to actually improve the team's performance on game days.
Posted by: nemo2020 | January 03, 2020 at 10:15 AM
I think it’s obvious to me that CMD is in over his head. At this point, I don’t need more fancy salesmanship and flash, I need more substance at this point. Hiring Highsmith or anyone that knows something about program management, identification of prospects, recruiting, player development, game-planning and coaching would be greatly appreciated.
Posted by: BigWindyCane1 | January 03, 2020 at 10:54 AM
Posted by: AfriCane | January 03, 2020 at 01:31 AM
Urban Myer? No way would we ever consider hiring this lying snake. You must confuse us With a program that's trying to win a national championship?
Posted by: JaxCane | January 03, 2020 at 11:04 AM
I think it’s obvious to me that CMD is in over his head. YES!
At this point, I don’t need more fancy salesmanship and flash, I need more substance at this point. DEFINITELY!
Hiring Highsmith or anyone that knows something about program management, identification of prospects, recruiting, player development, game-planning and coaching would be greatly appreciated. PERHAPS! But here's the rub:
1) Consistent with NCAA rules and the UM job description, would he have the power to directly recruit? And who would have the final decision on recruiting matters, the "chief of staff" or the "head coach".
2) Would he actively coach? And what would be the relationship between the "chief of staff" and the respective coordinators of offense and defense?
3) In the final analysis the HEAD COACH is ultimately responsible for "program management, identification of prospects, recruiting, player development, game-planning and coaching". Afterall, if the football team underperforms again in 2020, CMD will be fired! As such, he will not - and he should not - have the "retention or termination" decision dependent on performance (or lack thereof) of a so-called "chief of staff" over whom the head coach has little or no authority.
Therefore, in my opinion, this will merely be a symbolic hire by AD BJ (if it happens at all) to make it appear the the AD is "doing something to support CMD" when in reality hiring someone acceptable to CMD will have little or no positive effect on UM's football program.
Posted by: nemo2020 | January 03, 2020 at 12:10 PM
I know this Jake Blames is all over the airways, since the end of the season. Face of the franchise all of the sudden. Taking the bullets for Manure.
Where the hell is the new OC?
We still got crooting to do. Need to get the Jack of apes in place, so we can get rid of stubs and Barry and I still can't figure why they are still on staff.
Go get some guys that can recruit. We need 2 of the best BS'ers around.
Lingard to The Gators. There line ain't that great but it don't take much to be better than us.
Get a big chief of football operations. An azz hole to be precise.
Quite obvious that Manure is going to be here at least through most of this year whether us armcairboyz like it or not, along with all his butt boy coaches on dee, talking mainly bout Patke, Baker and Banda. What a mishmash of coaches.
Posted by: Herbieibis | January 03, 2020 at 01:01 PM
Lingard to the Turds
Posted by: UMike | January 03, 2020 at 01:02 PM
What’s good Legion/Canespace? Happy New Year to all. Here is where CMD thought process might still stuck on neutral. CMD is probably looking at the glass is half full effect with this season. He still believes that this team was a few plays away from winning 9 or 10 games this year, however, he is relunctant to look at the big picture.
Consequently, good teams find ways to win games when they are close; great teams know how to blow away teams that are inferior to them. Neither of those things truly happened this year and most of this shortcoming can be contributed to preparation and coaching. Did CMD forget that he had a team that was projected to win the Coastal Division of the ACC and possibly play in a good bowl game?
He needs to accept responsibility, make drastic changes (immediately) and hold the players and coaches responsible or next year will be his last year.
Posted by: Alex D | January 03, 2020 at 01:18 PM
Most of our class is signed and we need to make the right hire at OC so I don't care how long they take. I don't think there are any game changing recruits waiting on us to hire someone.
Posted by: UMike | January 03, 2020 at 01:18 PM
Posted by: JaxCane | January 03, 2020 at 11:04 AM
I got a feeling The Dallas Cowboys might have more $ clout than us Jax, I think we are stuck with The New Manny and what ever circus he rolls in for awhile.
Posted by: solarcane | January 03, 2020 at 01:36 PM