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!
A six-pack of Hurricanes notes on a Friday:
▪ UM, in search of an offensive coordinator to run an up-tempo spread offense, has reached out to Virginia offensive coordinator Robert Anae and SMU offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee, according to a source.
Anae has experience running an “Air Raid” fast-paced spread offense at BYU, and Manny Diaz has announced UM is moving to a spread offense. UM would like to interview him in the coming days.
Lashlee has run a high-octane spread offense at SMU. Diaz holds him in high regard, according to a source, but Lashlee also is reportedly speaking to other schools.
Posted by: solarcane | January 03, 2020 at 01:43 PM
Lingard was great player....on paper. He ran a 10.7 hundred....before the knee.It s hard saying what he will be...has not seen any PT. He might be unreal, he might be Bryce Brown.Time will tell. I think we have a lot of disgruntled kids....some babies and whimps....who have lackadaisical apathetical attitudes....and the talent is average overall. Manny has lost control of the team....and the alums and fans are sick of this long term failure. Fire ejm all now....dont care what anyone says 6-7 is a joke....hang em high!..or drop to Div 3 where you might compete....2 would be too hard!
CMD has shown he is not a HC....period. He is terrible; you can see he has no control no discipline and he knows D....he has no clue to what an O does what a ST does. We have had 1 HC since 2000....thats 20 damn years....Clapper, Onionhead, Golden and MD are not head coaches...and never should have been. A true real search should have been done. CMR was an average+ coach....but he never even won an SEC title....division titles are nothing...win the conference then win a NC to a strong HC.
MD is not a HC...dont know him may be ok guy...but he is not the answer.
Posted by: VA Cane | January 03, 2020 at 01:45 PM
Before becoming Virginia’s offensive coordinator in 2016, Anae was offensive coordinator at BYU during two different stints, 2005 to 2010 and 2013 to 2015.
Virginia ranked just 88th in yards this season (388.9) but 40th in points at 32.1. UM, by comparison, averaged 367.2 yards and 25.7 points. Under Anae, Virginia ranked 21st in total offense (yards) in 2018.
And under Anae, 61, BYU ranked 26th and 21st in the country in passing offense and 14th and 34th in scoring offense during Anae’s final two seasons there. In 2014, BYU averaged 37.1 points under Anae, most for the program since 2001.
During Anae’s first tenure as offensive coordinator at BYU, the Cougar offense was extremely successful, earning top-25 NCAA statistical rankings in 10 different offensive categories a total of 35 times, including 15 top-10 ratings.
BYU ranked in the top 25 in third-down efficiency each of Anae’s six seasons (2005-10), including a No. 1 ranking in 2009 and No. 2 ratings in 2008 and 2006. The Cougars were in the top-6 in passing offense three times (2005, 2006, 2008) during his first tenure overseeing the BYU offense.
Anae has taken some spread principles from his time working with coaches Mike Leach and Rich Rodriguez.
As for Lashlee, his SMU offense ranked ninth nationally in total offense this season (489.8 yards per game) and seventh in points (41.8).
Lashlee, 36, runs an up-tempo spread offense, which Diaz wants to use with the Hurricanes.
Posted by: solarcane | January 03, 2020 at 01:45 PM
Former All American offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie, who went to campus with former Canes standout Brett Romberg to offer tips to Canes linemen this past summer, tweeted that “[not] having former players around like the past is probably why the program has gone in the direction it has. Stop hiring friends and hire people who are capable of doing the job. I’d make these coaches contracts incentive based as well for the first two years until they prove themselves.
Posted by: solarcane | January 03, 2020 at 01:47 PM
“What’s funny is some of these guys will make it to the next level and actually play way better there then they did here, and I’m gonna say coaching has a lot to do with that. Not being able to get through to the player.”
Offensive line coach Butch Barry previously worked at Central Michigan with Dan Enos, who was dismissed as UM’s offensive coordinator last week. I’m not sure how many offensive line coaches would have extracted more from this unit, but Barry couldn’t get them to pass block or run block effectively.
Manny Diaz and the new offensive coordinator - whoever that will be - likely will jointly decide whether to keep Barry and the other offensive assistants.
Then there was this tweet from former UM lineman Rashad Butler, a host on 790 The Ticket:
“Do we really have the “TALENT” Miami Hurricanes Fans ??? I ask because, I had an FIU Coaching Staff Member personally tell me that after the first series of that game, their DBs (FIU) came to the sidelines and said, “COACH, THEY’RE SOFT”!!!
On WQAM’s UM postgame show, Butler also said some UM players don’t care enough about football, which is consistent with what I’ve heard from one frustrated player on the team.
Posted by: solarcane | January 03, 2020 at 01:49 PM
reportedly speaking to other schools.
Therein lies the problem....20 years of failing to hire a REAL HC.....these people know what the U was....and that it aint good no more. The AD BOT and 5 HCs have been lost for 20 years....we are the butt of punch lines....a program recently referred to as a social joke!
The past selections and failures cast a long shadow.....nobody wants to come here due to 20 years of failing!!
Urban would never come here; fine coach....but he is certain there is no chance to win here like prior teams...EVER...and honestly who would come? The U are a bunch of cheap suits who are cheap when it comes to $....dont pay very good for coaches!
Posted by: VA Cane | January 03, 2020 at 01:52 PM
Players are saying Lingard never studied the playbook, and the coaches couldn't trust him, they said he couldn't get the blitz package blocking down.
Posted by: solarcane | January 03, 2020 at 01:53 PM
Damn right they are soft.....worst OL i have seen at UM....bad football. The whole program from coaching players recruiting attitude BOT and AD are soft and DO NOT CARE!!!!
It shows friends!
Posted by: VA Cane | January 03, 2020 at 01:55 PM
Maybe Lingard was Pornboy II....living on HS rep, not fit for higher level of football....Pornboy I sure aint a good college player!!! God I hope he transfers out via portal....
Posted by: VA Cane | January 03, 2020 at 02:05 PM
Players are saying Lingard never studied the playbook, and the coaches couldn't trust him, they said he couldn't get the blitz package blocking down.
Posted by: solarcane | January 03, 2020 at 01:53 PM
Not studying or knowing the playbook isn’t new at Miami or any other program, and it has been the case with other Canes recently, like Choc (Trayone Gray), and the Canes coaches didn’t see the need to babysit these players when others don’t require babysitting. It’s their choice.
I am not sure how true this is about Lingard. Only time will tell. We will see what he does in Gainesville. If he studies the playbook under Mullen, then that tells us all we need to know
Posted by: BigWindyCane1 | January 03, 2020 at 02:23 PM
Windy,
Remember when they simplified the play book for Frank Gore because he had a bit of a learning disability?
He seems to being just fine doesn't he?
Then again Gore has always worked his ass off, I cant say how hard Lingard works, maybe he will do well at Florida.
Posted by: solarcane | January 03, 2020 at 02:39 PM
"The past selections and failures cast a long shadow.."
Good line VA
Posted by: solarcane | January 03, 2020 at 02:41 PM
Gators have Lingard, and they probably get his cousin, 2020 elite safety Williams too.
If he sign more recruits on NSD, I would be very surprised it will be elite recruits. I frankly don’t mind if the Canes sign more three star recruits, I just hope we sign the right three star recruits
Posted by: BigWindyCane1 | January 03, 2020 at 02:46 PM
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.
Posted by: AfriCane | January 03, 2020 at 01:08 AM
You make me giggle like a little school girl.
Not even going to bother with a reply.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Posted by: 86Cane | January 03, 2020 at 02:47 PM
Lingard to the Turds
Posted by: UMike | January 03, 2020 at 01:02 PM
PERFECT! Now my day is complete.
Posted by: 86Cane | January 03, 2020 at 02:48 PM
You make me giggle like a little school girl.
Posted by: 86Cane | January 03, 2020 at 02:47 PM
Fore!
Posted by: solarcane | January 03, 2020 at 02:50 PM
Lingard will be a star
Our coaching staff just can’t put the RIGHT players in the RIGHT spot
Unbelievable
Posted by: AeroCane | January 03, 2020 at 02:51 PM
Solar,
Frank Gore is a great example. There were others. When you have a talented player, sometimes a coach has to figure out how to compensate for his shortcomings and get him on the field
Posted by: BigWindyCane1 | January 03, 2020 at 02:51 PM
I am not sure how true this is about Lingard. Only time will tell. We will see what he does in Gainesville. If he studies the playbook under Mullen, then that tells us all we need to know
Posted by: BigWindyCane1 | January 03, 2020 at 02:23 PM
Well I will be watching and reporting his progress.
Posted by: 86Cane | January 03, 2020 at 02:52 PM
Frank Gore is a great example. There were others. When you have a talented player, sometimes a coach has to figure out how to compensate for his shortcomings and get him on the field
Posted by: BigWindyCane1 | January 03, 2020 at 02:51 PM
I had this discussion with Joe Z at a UM event back in the day when Devin Hester was on the team. He said the same thing about Hester, that he couldn't or wouldn't learn the playbook.
I told him that I thought the objective was to win football games AND if that is so and I was head coach I sure as shyte would get the ball into his hands any way I could as many times a game as possible. I told him I don't care if you calls the plays D1, D2 or D3 (the rest of the offense can know what the entire play is) just get him the ball.
He basically scoffed in my general direction, snickered and walked away.
Posted by: 86Cane | January 03, 2020 at 03:01 PM
He basically scoffed in my general direction, snickered and walked away.
Posted by: 86Cane | January 03, 2020 at 03:01 PM
86,
I didn’t know that, although I should have. Devin Hester would also be a great example because points are at a premium..
Lingard tried to run onto the field for a kickoff. Lingard might be one of the few Canes on the roster that has the speed and skills to take it to the house. But this staff can’t use him because he didn’t know the play book.
Look at Hester. Someone said, let’s use him to return kickoffs and the rest is history. Hester is now regarded as the best return specialist in NFL history, and was a four-time pro bowler. He might make the NFL HOF as a return specialist
Posted by: BigWindyCane1 | January 03, 2020 at 03:43 PM
He basically scoffed in my general direction, snickered and walked away.
Posted by: 86Cane | January 03, 2020 at 03:01 PM
Soup
I get that a lot if that wearing this stupid Canes hat
Posted by: solarcane | January 03, 2020 at 04:21 PM
Soup
I get that a lot if that wearing this stupid Canes hat
Posted by: solarcane | January 03, 2020 at 04:21 PM
heck, i'm snickering & scoffing just reading that last sentence ;)
Posted by: alpine | January 03, 2020 at 04:35 PM
It's all the cultures fault.
Posted by: The Herb | January 03, 2020 at 04:43 PM
I love AH....but its not like he developed any success in Cleveland...was not there long....think he knows it is a horrible franchise.....they are the pros answer to UM....they suck.He apparently did a good job in Green Bay. I waited all year to see someone destroy OBJ....a Tatumizer....god i hate that guy.....all time great my foot....he has the same attitude as our players...doesnt care. Same with Baker Mayfield....guy is a jerk and is a terrible QB!
high wanted out there....cannot blame him....whole franchise is horrible.
Posted by: VA Cane | January 03, 2020 at 05:01 PM
Looks like we got Lashlee
Posted by: UMike | January 03, 2020 at 05:51 PM
Posted by: 86Cane | January 03, 2020 at 03:01 PM
Fully agree with you. Some guys are actually game players. You gotta get them in the game to see and we definitly had a lot of chances to give different players looks.
Sidenote we have been a bad team for a damn long time. Not average...we have been bad. Which is crazy because we have still had a realitively high number of players drafted over the past 15 years. But we, as a team, have been terrible. Over that time we have always had one unit or another near the bottom of the rankings.
That being said. I think Manny deserves a year to show improvememnt.
However I wanted Cristobal since he found a way to win at FIU.
Posted by: Hillviewcane | January 03, 2020 at 06:16 PM
Lashlees #s look good.....to make this change of style you got to go all in...."should have been done long ago" (solar Ohio CSNY) you can still use other attacks methods but you have to dedicate yourself to change.
CMD needs to focus on discipline recruiting getting back to respectability getting a staff of coaches who TEACH....kids come out of HS with bad habits...eating bad stance sloppy blocking and tackling....not playing every play....not hustling....got to end that stuff....either everyone is all in or it dont work.I teach so many fundamentals over and over til its mindset...right Tsully? I am a good coach...players coach...but I still TEACH...and will discipline whomever....you answer ultimately to me on that field...practice or game.
We have got to tighten up get serious about the program.....20 years of failure is unacceptable...."Hope and Change is Despair and Stagnation"....time to get it right!!
Posted by: VA Cane | January 03, 2020 at 06:17 PM
Sidenote we have been a bad team for a damn long time. Not average...we have been bad.
Absolutely right....it can only be called bad. We have not done a coach search....I mean a real search in 20 years. ClapsterPa should have been made interim for 2001....I never thought he was entirely comfortable as HC.....won the NC and then done a real search with him fully knowing that was the deal. I think he would loved to have gone back to OC. None of the Fatal Five we have had as HC was checked out...at all....in my opinion none were qualified to be here....not even CMR....he was tired and ready to walk. He did it with a kind heart but was not into it. He won divisions at GA.....you got to get a guy who aspires to NCs and will go all in to win multiple titles.
I expect to win it all each year...we have won 11 of 14...the 3 we did not win kill me...I love to win and thats got to be it...WANT TO WIN!!!
Posted by: VA Cane | January 03, 2020 at 06:23 PM
Looks like we got Lashlee
Posted by: UMike | January 03, 2020 at 05:51 PM
Whew! Finally, some good news! Glad we got a good OC. Hopefully, CMD will let him do his thing and not interfere.
Other things still need to get fixed. I hope we get a few more coaching changes.
The great thing for Lashlee. This Canes offense was so bad (last or close to last in the country in most offensive categories), there is only one direction for this team to go and that is up.
Posted by: BigWindyCane1 | January 03, 2020 at 08:01 PM
Players are saying Lingard never studied the playbook, and the coaches couldn't trust him, they said he couldn't get the blitz package blocking down.
Posted by: solarcane | January 03, 2020 at 01:53 PM
Bryce Brown's mentor nods with approval.
Posted by: TonyCane | January 03, 2020 at 09:00 PM
Officially, can we now say SPAaaaaRed. Dam been hollering for it since OCT. Dam Armcairboyz know what's what!
Now can we get rid of a few more no coaching, no recruiting coaches.
The hard part now begins, teaching basically a brand new offense to an already bunch of under achievers.
Posted by: Herbieibis | January 03, 2020 at 09:01 PM
1. Lingard tried to run onto the field for a kickoff.
2. Look at Hester.
Posted by: BigWindyCane1 | January 03, 2020 at 03:43 PM
1. At least he was one of the players running on the field instead of trying to just get off the field. I give him credit.
2. I would look at Hester, but he gone, he is already in the opposing end zone for SIX. We could use those points right about now against La Tech?
Posted by: 58 Straight | January 03, 2020 at 09:34 PM
They had Hester on the field, but still didn't use him to his full potential. Was he a Db, wr or rb. Never mastered anything but returning kicks but dam if he wasn't something to watch.
Posted by: Herbieibis | January 03, 2020 at 10:01 PM
Turns out Mark Walton is a pos
That is all
Posted by: Schnelly | January 03, 2020 at 10:26 PM
NEW BLOG IS UP!
Posted by: 86Cane | January 04, 2020 at 12:46 AM