Man(ny) Overboard

Note: This blog was written for Canespace by blogger Alpine...

You all know "Alpine" as the incorrigible and oft-irritating optimist on the blog.

That's just who I am and I don't like following a team and moping the whole time. But I'm not gonna try to sell you a Brooklyn Bridge full of unicorns.

Last Saturday as I sat there watching the game as time and again our offense kept trying to cross what seemed like 10-yard stretches of quicksand, and doing so while wearing ENOrmouS concrete shoes, I also witnessed a mostly strong defense again give up un-timely big plays at inopportune moments.

At least the special teams were finally an overall plus. The Hedley run being an instant classic!

I was lucky to have my daughter and 15-month old grandson visiting for the first time in a while, so I had the benefit of family to ground me. Or maybe, like many of you, the decades-long groundhog'ishness gave me a healthy dose of The Miami Numb ("TMN" instead of "TNM", in case you're too numb or angry to follow even un-subtle jesting).

So, that leads me to ask my first question: Is Manny the man?

Most of you have strong opinions as to the need to dump him and all associated with him overboard, hoping that will put out the dumpster fire. This is very understandable...and not gonna happen,which everyone also knows.

I am still not wavering from my position that Manny will someday be a good head coach. And as I said earlier in the season, he might need 2 - 5 years for it to happen and it might not be with Miami. But hear me out here:

1. I remember how it felt during the D'No era of defence'lessness, and how when Manny arrived, things changed rapidly on that side of the ball, despite his earlier DC-Texas-sized problems.
2. I assume Manny learned from that experience, because as the DC in Miami he quickly had our players playing with passion and aggression. Finally, there was edge and a badass attitude on that side of the ball! his D were Manny-believers.
3. As a head coach, I was sure that someone like Manny would both keep the defense humming (particularly after Shaq and Pinckney chose, mostly because of Manny, to return) as well as make our offense much better by bringing the same passion and aggression to that side of the ball. This seemed borne out by Manny being able to hire Enos away from Alabama, who gave him value by valuing him.

So, what happened? I truly do not know, and it's why I can't argue with any pessimists. I am in deep smh-mode that Manny allowed Enos to put together such an un-aggressive, keep the D on the balls of their feet instead of their heels offense, even if it is Manny's first season.

So, now we have to ask the next big question: What does the future hold?

• Possibility 1: Like several of our previous head coaches, Canespace has amply pointed out that Manny seems to suffer from two syndromes: "smartest man in the room" and "not gonna fire my buddy, not his fault". If these syndromes run deep enough, he might refuse to make deep structural changes (the ones he knew needed to be made while he was the DC). This will lead to (1a) another crash and burn season, after which he will be fired, or (1b) he will do slightly better, for whatever reason/s such as QB's and OL plays better, he finds a true kicker or maybe a package of fairy dust is sent his way. He will be given one or two more years to swim in mediocrity and possibly see the light, or get fired together with Blake James in 2022.
• Possibility 2: Because of his own passion and football awareness, together with his desire to have the Miami offense playing the way they should be playing, he will get some excellent advice this off-season (hopefully even before the bowl game), and will begin making the larger changes that we all see are necessary. And yes (kick the ant-pile moment) I am still optimistic about Manny taking this road. Strangely enough, after some reflection-time, I'm thinking the Duke disaster following FIU might help open his eyes to something he might otherwise have optioned to syndrome away.

The top two changes obviously involve (1) putting in a different offense, with or without Enos, though it's hard to imagine the change being structural enough, if Enos is still in charge. The one positive Enos would bring, is consistency to the QB-room, which for me alone is not enough), and (2) getting a knowledgeable, kick-ass special teams coach . He need look no further than the Miami Dolphins to find the best example of how "special" the special teams can be if valued and coached up.

I would also agree with those, who think our DC needs to wear bigger pants. Blake seems to be Manny's boy, instead of his own man. Having him coaching somewhere on the defense is fine. Being in charge of the defense, not so much.

The main thing is, you might be able to change the "culture" by eventually changing the players. However, the quicker solution is to change the "culture" by changing the system, like Manny did on defense under CMR when he arrived with a new D blueprint. Do that with the offense and the special teams, while fortifying the defense and you'll have your turn-around in year two or three.

So, during the bowl and off-season, I'll still be checking the 'Canes out more than I should, and I will easily be drinking from the half-full glass again, especially if I see some meaningful changes happening. It's who I am.

But at this stage of the game, if you are a total 'Canes pessimist, well, enjoy it, because you've earned it!

Comments

[Old Skool]

Nice read. Thanks Alpine

[raizecane]

I would have been here sooner but the previous blog didn't say "new blog up".......

Somebody dropped the ball......oh wait, that's our receivers. Never mind.

[raizecane]

But at this stage of the game, if you are a total 'Canes pessimist, well, enjoy it, because you've earned it!

********************************************

That would be me (raising hand).

[solarcane]

Great article Big Al.
Lot of good views and opinions

[Terrance M Sullivan]

Manny F'N Sucks Arse The End. But Blake James will not fire him because he ran off Mark Richt to bring Manny in and he feels mentally he is stuck with him. We should fire Blake Arse. And give Manny the Ultimatum Blake Gave Mark. Hopefully that loser Manny walks away and we can get a Real Head Coach and not some used car salesman from the Palmetto!

[86Cane]

Alpine...thanks for the article. Much appreciated.

[86Cane]

When you lose to GT, FIU and Duke and finish 6-6 with no signs of improvement towards the end of the season, and if anything show regression, then it is hard to maintain any reasonable hope or logical thoughts that Manny is The Man or that Miami will improve in 2020 based on the evidence that is available.

If the plan is to recruit there way out of this situation then it will be 2-4 years before we will see any real change or improvement. And the only way to recruit your way out of this mess is to show growth and progress and that is done by winning games you are SUPPOSED to win. Miami did not do that in the 2019 season.

If you want to see things through green and orange colored glasses and through the narrow lens of a die hard Miami Hurricane fan you can choose to do that. But there is no argument that when you lose Go Canes ("Losing to FIU is a fireable offense all by itself") and Big Windy Cane (pick one of many recent quotes) you have really lost the fan base.

And if you were to ask ANY impartial college football observer's view they would quickly and easily tell you that Miami is a hot mess.

I will say this to end my opinion comment:

As I have said MANY times here before it is NOT our job to fix or even recommend what to fix with the University of Miami football program. It is our job to watch the games, either in person or on TV, and to root for the Canes to win.

It is a very simple equation that needs no detailed or futher explanation than this (and this is true for any fan of any team):

1. If they play well and win, like against FSU, we cheer for them and are happy.

2. If they play poorly and lose, like against FIU, we boo and are unhappy.

There is no sense in trying to spin winning into unhappiness nor is their any need to spin losing into happiness simply to protect your "die hard fan" status. Facts are facts and truth is truth and the evidence is plain for all to see on the field on any given Saturday.

Sugar coating suckage does not hide the suckage. It just makes it slightly more palatable but in the end it is still suckage.

[roachcane77]

Nice blog article Alpine!

When you lose to GT, FIU and Duke and finish 6-6 with no signs of improvement towards the end of the season, and if anything show regression, then it is hard to maintain any reasonable hope or logical thoughts that Manny is The Man or that Miami will improve in 2020 based on the evidence that is available.
Posted by: 86Cane | December 04, 2019 at 10:36 AM

AND... well stated SOUP!

[raizecane]

In case you are in the market for a new phone, Pablo Escobar's brother just released a fold-able phone for $349.

With it you get a free case and an .oz of cocaine.

Sounds like a great deal to me.

[HerbieIbis]

Hope is eternal.
Manny has a couple choices:
1. No matter what happens in the bowl game, Enos has got to go or just make him the QB coach go find a guy that runs the SPaaaRED. I don't care as long as I don't have to watch another pro set unless there is two yds or less to gain.
2. Fire Baker and Manny be his Own DEE coordinator.
3. Patke is dumped as special teams coach.
4. I've never understood why we need to DB coaches. Like Rumph as a coach but the dude couldn't recruit a roach to a lights out party.
5.Banda can recruit but as a safety coach meh!
6. Barry incomplete. He inherited that band of saawfties up front. That is the biggest mess and the main reason our QB'S got beat up and are gun shy.
Recruiting will help. This class, although still missing a few IT guys, can't be relied upon next year to cause us to have a big flip in wins and Losses.
If Manny rolls the dice and keeps this current staff together, then he will be out before the season ends next year.

[alpine]

- good job with my article, 86! (the unicorn-photo find alone should, in a fair world, get you a free ticket to disneyland with the missus + a free pass to cut into the front of every line)

- and thank you skool, solar, roach, soup

[SOUP]

1. Recruiting will help. This class, although still missing a few IT guys, can't be relied upon next year to cause us to have a big flip in wins and Losses.

2. If Manny rolls the dice and keeps this current staff together, then he will be out before the season ends next year.

Posted by: HerbieIbis | December 04, 2019 at 11:34 AM

1. One recruiting class can make an impact but it will not instantly change the culture or produce wins. And no matter how big or how good the class is there will be the standard 60/40 rule of attrition and who makes it to start, makes big plays big and stays four years and graduates.

2. Agree 100 %.

I have to say that I find it very interesting that you seem to have changed recently and now come across as the "voice of reason" and remain so hopeful and postitve when you were among the most negative on the program and other coaches for years. Curious, what has changed for you?

[orange 'n green in the vein]

https://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/bowls/predictions

January (not 1st) bowl game!

(In Birmingham . . .)

Against noted AAC power Tulane!

Trending up?

Terrance, you going to this if it happens?

[SOUP]

1. Good job with my article, 86!

2. The unicorn-photo find alone should, in a fair world, get you a free ticket to disneyland with the missus + a free pass to cut into the front of every line.

Posted by: alpine | December 04, 2019 at 11:40 AM

1. My pleasure! Some very minor editing and formatting work but it was good from the start. Plenty of good content to work with. The photos were easy finds. Who got next? UMike? Old Skool?

2. Funny thing you even mentioned "Unicorns" in your article. In real estate we have a saying about buyers that are unicorns. In real estate we define unicorns as:

Perfect credit, plenty of reserve funds for down payment and closing costs, smart, decisive and easy to work with, and very organized and responsive with financial documents to qualify for the mortgage.

They are considered very rare but they do actually exist!

[Terrance M Sullivan]

https://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/bowls/predictions

January (not 1st) bowl game!

(In Birmingham . . .)

Against noted AAC power Tulane!

Trending up?

Terrance, you going to this if it happens?

Posted by: orange 'n green in the vein | December 04, 2019 at 12:02 PM
OGV Hard Pass My Brotha I wouldn't waste another dime on this years team even if they played in The Camelia Bowl Here In Downtown Montgomery my neighborhood that is a 10 blocks from me. This years team has been the most unlikable Miami Hurricanes Team in my lifetime and I started following the team in the 1982 season. I will watch whatever BS Bowl Game we go to on TV at a Sports Bar probably at Twin Peaks here in Montgomery. I already cancelled my trip to Lansing Next Year for the Michigan State Game. I will go to 3 Games Next Year The GT Game in Atlanta and 2 Home Games Probably the Game against UAB(They will probably beat our arses) and a ACC Game Most Likely Homecoming First Saturday in November.

[Terrance M Sullivan]

As Far as recruiting our way outta of the problem would you trust a Woman who has shown you she can't Cook(Coaching Current Roster) to keep cooking future Meals(Coaching New Recruits) or would you trust a Man who has shown you he can't Grill(Coaching Current Roster) to keep Grilling(Coaching New Recruits) this is for CGNC, MLAlumni1970 and the Ladies of Canespace.

[nemo2002]

There are only three things that we need for UM's football team to perform much better next year:
1. A much better offense.
2. A much better defense.
3. A much better head coach.

[Terrance M Sullivan]

There are only three things that we need for UM's football team to perform much better next year:
1. A much better offense.
2. A much better defense.
3. A much better head coach.

Posted by: nemo2002 | December 04, 2019 at 12:37 PM
4. A Much Better Special Teams
5. A Much Better Athletic Director

[SOUP]

So you are saying just some minor tweaks?

Sounds simple enough.

[HerbieIbis]

Oh, soup I'm beyond pissed. I hate having to keep my mouth shut and eating a shyt sandwich because we can't beat a bunch of nobodies. Walking around with my head down not being able to defend why I pull for these band of misfits.
The worm has to turn. As a former coach myself, I've always said during the tough times "It ain't always going to be this way" but being a Die-hard fan, it sure seems it!
We'll dig out from the abyss, just can't say win.
Talents their, maybe not the abundance at certain positions but it's there. Stevie Wonder could have taken this team and won 9 to 10 games.
I'm begging Manny to go SPaared but he ain't hearing me. Maybe I'm to far away being up here in North Carolina. Maybe u should send him a link to Canespace and he can see my plea!

[Joe]

Great Article Al!
The Defense was 25th ranked this year. The offense couldn't convert on 3rd down which meant 3 and out too many times and put the defense on the field time and time again. If we played a spread offense and avg 30 points a game. We would be talking ACC Championship and possibly 10 win season or more each year. The biggest issue is we need to run a spread, because it minimize our failures at the o-linemen.

[Joe]

Even with the kicking issues we could have a 10 win season. Look at Alabama since 2007 have missed 101 kicks but they still win 10 games a season in that span. So either Enos adapts his offense to a spread offense next season or we hire somebody that will run it the way Manny promised all of us fans. Which would mean stop recruiting Van Dyke as he is a pro style pocket qb. Tate Martell would start the implementation and we would need to maybe pull in a juco qb and a recruit. May Manny make it happen!

[alpine]

Great Article Al!
The Defense was 25th ranked this year. The offense couldn't convert on 3rd down which meant 3 and out too many times and put the defense on the field time and time again. If we played a spread offense and avg 30 points a game. We would be talking ACC Championship and possibly 10 win season or more each year. The biggest issue is we need to run a spread, because it minimize our failures at the o-linemen.
Posted by: Joe | December 04, 2019 at 01:32 PM

- thank you, sir!

- you're very right . . . keeping the D off the field more would def be helpful

[Sarasota 'cane]

Not comparing any of our recent coaches to the Legend that is Butch, but I'm "a little longer in the tooth" and I clearly remember (pre-social media) that many of us wanted to fly a banner in Butch's year 3-4, and I think it played a role in Butch's decision to leave after his miraculous year 5 season.

Does anyone see any similarities in Butch's early lack of success? Butch was also a pretty bad clock manager as I remember it. Not Andy Reid bad, but still head scratching bad. Are we too quick to pull the trigger on Manny after one year and in light of the fact that Manny did prove himself as a competent DC?

Is Jalen Williams a doppelganger of Kenny Kelly? Can a new field general and a Carlos Huerta type kicker fix what ails us?

Go 'canes!!

[Sarasota 'cane]

And by "pull the trigger" I'm referring to our ire, not Manny's tenure. I think Manny will be at UM through the 2021 season whether we like it or not.

[Sarasota 'cane]

And another defense of Manny and his defensive successes and failures is the spread and speed of today's game. If you cannot balance the time of possession and get you defense off the field with sustained drives by the offense then I don't care how good your defense is.

They will get gassed and the explosiveness of a fast offense can wear you out faster than the old pro style offenses that we used to face.

[Joe]

Exactly Sarasota 'cane!!

[Terrance M Sullivan]

Butch 1st Season 1995 Miami went 8-3. Manny 1st Season 6-6 so far. BTW Butch is overrated as hell. Dude got 1 10 Win Season in 13 Years as D-1 Head Coach Miami, North Carolina, and Florida International.

[Mia Chi ‘Canes ‘98]

First off Butch only had one bad year in 1997.

He still had:

1 - 5 win season
1 - 8 win season
3 - 9 win seasons
1 - 11 win season

And 4-0 in bowls

And I recall there really no bad losses. (Some heartbreaks to penn st and ECU). They could not beat FSU and Va Tech

I would gladly take those seasons now.

[Herbieibis]

Butch had sanctions to deal with to begin his tenure.
Manny has to deal with inept coaches.
Ruelous George heads to the portal. Don't need a FB in the spread.

[CGNC]

Nice article Apine. Love the unicorns

Posted by: Terrance M Sullivan | December 04, 2019 at 09:18 AM

Agreed! There is no point in getting rid of Manny without first getting rid of Blake James - who would probably go out and hire Willie Taggert

[CGNC]

TSully - I don't know if Butch was over-rated or not, but I sure would have liked to have him back here before Golden/Richt to see what would have happened. As an evaluator of talent, he was very good. We could still have him here in that capacity since he only makes $1M at FIU.

Over-rated or not, I am pretty confident the we would not be seeing the ish we are seeing right now.

[Terrance M Sullivan]

Richt>Butch. Butch>Shannon,Golden, Diaz. BTW Give Me Lane over Butch anyday well since Lane owns Butch. Butch owns Manny lol. Oh We Need to Fire That Idiot Blake James Immediately but our President and BOT don't care at all. We should be clowning their arses like we did Donna IJS.

[MLAlumni1970]

If I remember correctly, didn't my favorite coach, Butch Davis, leave US high and dry? He quit the U and went to Cleveland, to the PROs. Am I right about this??? Just think how great we could have been, if he had stayed. That is what pisses me off. That was the beginning of the end, and Butch never addressed personally, to all who love the U, an explanation. I always hoped that there is more to life than MONEY.

[Sarasota 'cane]

Butch would've waltzed into a natty if he came back for year 6 and he was poised to make a natty run at UNC before they suspended his players. His UNC defense was sick!

[Sarasota 'cane]

IMO Bitch Davis is as good as anyone in the modern era at evaluating defensive recruits.

He simply cannot attract that caliber of talent to a school that has no shot of competing for a championship.

[MLAlumni1970j]

Who is Lane?? Why did he own Butch?? Just curious. Sounds like Blake James needs to go too.
WHY is it that the great, former, football players, never stand up and flex their muscles? All the millions they made, came from the U. Andre Johnson, Ken Dorsey, Ed Reed,Jeremy Shockey, Reggie Wayne, Frank Gore etc.etc. They OWE it to us and the U, to help right the ship.

[Sarasota 'cane]

Posted by: MLAlumni1970 | December 04, 2019 at 06:37 PM

Easy for us to say that about someone else's money. UM was at the bottom of the barrel back then for coaches pay. And the facilities were the worst.

I'm still salty that he left when he did, but we got what we wanted in the end.

One for the Thumb!

Go 'canes!

[Terrance M Sullivan]

Lane Kiffin FAU Head Coach they own Butch Davis FIU Head Coach.

[Terrance M Sullivan]

So FAU is a magnet for drawing talent They in the same division in the same conference yet Lane Kiffin is running circles around Butch Davis. Just The Facts.

[Terrance M Sullivan]

If Butch is so great why come no one is knocking his door down to coach their teams it's a number of Power 5 Jobs available it's Funny Lane Kiffin is in the running for those jobs. I can think I am a Stud Muffin but If I Can't Get Any Dates with The Ladies I am really just A Dud Just Keeping it 💯!

[Terrance M Sullivan]

Mack Brown and Les Miles who are either older than Butch or similar age got Power 5 Jobs but not Butch. Butch is a Quality Coach not some used car salesman on the Palmetto like Manny, Al, or Randy those are D Level Coaches But is A C plus Coach at his height he was a B plus Coach.

[HerbieIbis]

Beat Miami lose to Marshall.

[BigWindyCane1]

Great article Alpine! “Manny Overboard,”. LOL! Selling those unicorns for sure 💯!

[58 Straight]

Lane Kiffin FAU Head Coach they own Butch Davis FIU Head Coach.

Posted by: Terrance M Sullivan | December 04, 2019 at 07:12 PM

Wait, wait, wait...lemme get dis skrait, Kiffin owns da Butch and da Butch owns da Diaz? What does that mean about Kiffin owning Diaz?

Talk about being OWNED, Holy Moses!

[58 Straight]

Hating on Butch has its merits but hating on Butch AFTER he made Diaz look like a kindergarten teacher is a tad bitter and weak IMHO.

If you are going to say that Butch is weak because Kiffin owns him then what does that say about Diaz?

[Terrance M Sullivan]

58 Straight Yeah Palmetto 57th Manny would be clowned in a Major Way by West Palm Beach Lane Train IJS! It's sad when Miami has the worst Coach of the 3 Division 1 Schools In South Florida. Sad Times in Coral Gables.

[BigWindyCane1]

Let’s face it, as of now, CMD is not ready to be a legitimate HC in the ACC. Will he grow into that? Who knows? But he only has one more season to show some improvement

[BigWindyCane1]

The lack of success on third down this season is probably one of tthe biggest problems on offense this season. Finishing 130th out of 130 teams on third down speaks for itself. No debates or discussion is necessary.

The best way to attack this is to go to the film, analyze each third down, and see what was successful and what wasn’t. Then you implement third down offense to do what you are good at.

The Canes cannot be successful with those two freshmen on the OL. They are the worse OL starters in the history of Canes football. I am not sure if they will get better, but maybe that is why Campbell was so frustrated. They are really horrible and should have redshirted on a good team. Butch BARRY gets a D/F grade for this season.

The Canes need to do a better job recruiting transfers and freshmen OLs, especially OTs, to come in, and the Canes need to develop the OLs that are here.

[Terrance M Sullivan]

That latest article in the Miami Herald concerning The Board of Trustees feelings toward Palmetto 57th Manny is interesting.