The Armchair Boyz Rule

This blog is a tribute to Canes fan Herbieibis...

All of the elite athletic department folks look down at us with contempt.

Head coaches have done the same when questioned about their failures.

The media thinks we know nothing and we should leave the analysis to them.

To all of these educated yet narrow minded people we say: Choke on it!

The Armchair Boyz have been right every time and right from the beginning.

When Larry Coker lost his team leaders in Reed and Gonzalez and then proved couldn't recruit worth a damn because he was old and tired and relied on scouting system ratings of players we called him out. The next thing you know he had a punter playing at wide receiver and Coker had lost his mojo. Plus his QB recruits were awful. The Armchair Boyz saw it and called it out. And then, just like that likable Larry went on to stepping down the road in a sour mood.

When Randy Shannon was hired to save the program we cut him some slack. As a former player, defensive coach and local guy made good we thought OK, maybe we have something here. But it wasn't long before we figured out that he couldn't lead or gather a staff worth supporting. He then proceeded to alienate the local high school coaches and even the media turned on him. He then told Joe Rose on live radio: "Don't call the dogs out Joe". The Armchair Boyz saw what was happening and the dogs were readily summoned and Hurricane Randy was politely shown the way out the door.

When Al Golden arrived in what seemed a total surprise in the middle of the night riding on his 12 pillars of something or other that only he could describe (and zero accomplishments to show for it) the Armchair Boyz said: "Who is this tie wearing JoPa disciple coming here to fatten and slow our defense down to where the looked like dough boys on a cold winter day?" Nope, the Armchair Boyz were having none of that. D'Onofrio became D'No in short order and Golden apparently sank his ship with his butt buddy on a reef in Key Largo visiting Jimmy Johnson. Kehoe promised us. They have not been seen since.

Ah, and then stepped in the eventual and true Savior of the program, experienced head coach and former 'Cane QB Mark Richt. Fresh from his firing at Georgia where it was alleged that he couldn't win the big game, he came to Miami just to win enough to well, you know, enjoy life in shorts and sandals. Miami is kinda casual like that if you know what I mean?

But Marky-Mark seemed old and tired and at times disinterested. The Armchair Boyz saw that which is why he left fat and happy after just a few years and a hefty buyout clause. But then more empanadas are better than less, I guess?

And now we arrive at Manny, Manny, Manny. Oh, where do we even start? He left for Temple to replace Geoff Collins who went to Georgia Tech. Then Geoff beat Manny in his first year. Manny had a cup of coffee in Philly and said well maybe this ain't for me and high tailed it back to Miami at the URGENT wishing of UM AD Blake "Head Fake" James to apparently assume Richt's place among the scrap heap of recent coaches at Miami.

Surely Temple was hurt by Manny's sudden departure and incredible turn of events. Or well, maybe not so much. We'll never know.

When Diaz was announced we the fans pretended to be excited. Even for a brief minute (Turnover Chain) the Armchair Boyz were encouraged. This was going to be "The New Miami"! Whatever that meant it had to be good, right?

And then, well, it wasn't. It was worse than the old, really old MIami. It was worse than anything we had ever seen. And I mean ever and that's a long time. We got beat badly by ACC opponents North Carolina (first year coach), Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech (first year coach), and Duke. Add to that being beaten by inter-city rival FIU and former UM coach Butch Davis. Could it get worse?

And then it did. In the bowl game we scored ZERO points against La Tech after allegedly doing something call "practicing" for several weeks. The Armchair Boyz were clearly not happy. It simply doesn't get any worse than that.

So now we are signing off as the Armchair Boyz in recognition and consolidation behind Herbieibis who says: "I'm hurt dawg, don't ask me if I'm hurt."

Comments

[Herbieibis]

Dam, Soup I could get use to the bright lights.
There is the Orange Bowl Boys but TheArmChairBoyz know what's up.
Everyone of one of us has our own opinions but we all agree on one thing we stink and Manny brought us to the gutter, when all the previous mentioned above tried, Manny got the job done.
I was hoping we would get Yost as the OC but I guess Bobby Lashley will have to do. It's a start. We have plenty of asses to look at since we have it rock bottom.
We may end up with the youngest coaching staff in America.

[86Cane]

U da Man HerbieIbis.

U da Man!

[Terrance M Sullivan]

Outstanding Work Soupster!

[alpine]

whoa - excellent blog!

[IraqiCane]

Great writing as always!!!

[nemo2020]

Well done!

[Go Canes!!]

I'll give Manny tremendous credit for this change. He admitted his mistake and made an immediate and radical change. Something the majority of his predecessors refused to do.

OC hire was excellent imo.

[Herbieibis]

D'Eriq King. Go get him to run this Offense for one year and have someone groomed to step in against Bama to start 2021 off.
Manny still has some more pruning to do on that staff.

[TJL]

Charlie Strong DC-good recruiter runs a 4/3
Charlie Strong > Blake Baker

and hire Terry Lockette....

[solarcane]

Nice read soup bone,
Herb Ricks.

[solarcane]

SMU spread offense explained

https://youtu.be/XwS8lbe2lD8

[CGNC]

Great article. You are really writing some good articles with the debacle that is coral Gables!

Thoughts on Rhett Lashlee?

[CGNC]

OC hire was excellent imo.

Posted by: Go Canes!! | January 04, 2020 at 08:02 AM

Oh Go, I am a wait and see kind of girl LOL. But Mandy reads social media and twitter was blowing him up big time.

[solarcane]

Go
He had no other choice
But I'm glad he realizes he's in deep shyt.

[KYcane]

Another outstanding dissertation by the Soupster

[CGNC]

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

THIS

[Herbieibis]

Just got through reading where Pope May be leaving. Supposed destination Da Gators. If true what have u done for us lately, uh not much.

[KYcane]

Oh Go, I am a wait and see kind of girl LOL.

Posted by: CGNC | January 04, 2020 at 09:48 AM

The original TWSS

[CGNC]

KY - yes it is !!!! LOL

Take this FWIW:

Daniel
@dannyboycane13
I just got word from my contact with two BOT contacts with decision making power on the board, it is 100% happening Zo is going to be the next head of football operations at #Miami. This was Blake’s call to make the move. Manny had no say in this.
6:20 PM · Jan 3, 2020·Twitter for iPhone

[AeroCane]

Not on the kids herb
Lingard and pope will be stars
I’ll say it again for the hundredth time - a crappy coaching staff who doesn’t play the right guys in the right spots - maybe Lashlee will get the O going by playing to the strengths of his players. Time will tell
I have more confidence in him then manny or baker

[solarcane]

Lashlee was the offensive coordinator at SMU the past two seasons and helped lead one of the most prolific offenses in the country in 2019.

The Mustangs went 10-3 during the 2019 season, the most wins since 1984, marking their sixth 10-win season in program histor

[solarcane]

Ky,
Nice one lol

[solarcane]

Under the direction of Lashlee in 2019, SMU ranked ninth in the country in total offense while averaging 489 yards per game. They also ranked seventh in the country while averaging 41 points per game.

SMU starting quarterback Shane Buechele threw for 3,929 yards with 34 touchdowns and ten interceptions. SMU had three receivers that totaled at least 700 yards.

[solarcane]

SMU averaged 80.9 plays a game this past season, which ranked third in the country.

The Mustangs had 50 plays go for 30-plus yards this season. Only two schools had more – UCF and Oklahoma.

[solarcane]

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Ten things to like about offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee
ByDAVID LAKE 13 hours ago
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While it is not yet official, all indications are pointing to Rhett Lashlee being Miami's next offensive coordinator in 2020.

Lashlee was the offensive coordinator at SMU the past two seasons and helped lead one of the most prolific offenses in the country in 2019.

The Mustangs went 10-3 during the 2019 season, the most wins since 1984, marking their sixth 10-win season in program history.

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SMU was 6-2 in American Athletic Conference play, also the most conference wins in a season since 2010 when SMU went 6-2 to win the Conference USA West Division.

A big reason for that success was due to the offense.

Under the direction of Lashlee in 2019, SMU ranked ninth in the country in total offense while averaging 489 yards per game. They also ranked seventh in the country while averaging 41 points per game.

SMU starting quarterback Shane Buechele threw for 3,929 yards with 34 touchdowns and ten interceptions. SMU had three receivers that totaled at least 700 yards.

Lashlee is a disciple of Auburn coach Gus Malzahn. Lashlee played quarterback under Malzahn at the high school level and was the offensive coordinator under him at both Arkansas State and Auburn.

After moving on from a one year experiment with Dan Enos, who ran a pro-style attack, Miami coach Manny Diaz admitted he wanted to hire an offensive coordinator that installed a spread offense and played with tempo.

That mission was accomplished with the hiring of Lashlee.

SMU averaged 80.9 plays a game this past season, which ranked third in the country.

The Mustangs had 50 plays go for 30-plus yards this season. Only two schools had more – UCF and Oklahoma.

“We have had to make a change in tactics," Diaz said after parting ways with Enos. "The way we were trying to move the ball and score points wasn’t getting the job done.”

So why is Lashlee going to be an exciting hire for the Miami offense? Read on as we take a closer look at what type of offense he will bring to UM and how he will maximize the Hurricanes' personnel.

LASHLEE HAS LED SIGNIFICANT JUMPS OF IMPROVEMENT IN YEAR ONE

(Photo: Matt Visinsky, 247Sports)
While at UConn in 2017, Lashlee led a significant turnaround for the Huskies’ offense.

UConn jumped from 122nd to 49th in total offense and from 94th to 34th in passing offense.

Miami will be looking for Lashlee to lead a quick turnaround on offense in 2020 and he has shown the ability to do just that.

The Hurricanes ranked in the 90s in both total offense and scoring offense in 2019.

If Lashlee can help UM make at least a 40 spot jump in both categories in 2020, his hiring will be considered a success.

SMU'S BALANCE WAS IMPRESSIVE

(Photo: Matt Visinsky, 247Sports)
SMU’s offense was very difficult to defend in 2019 because it was extremely balanced.

The Mustangs threw for at least 300 yards in six games.

In the seven games that SMU did not throw for at least 300 yards, the rushing attack averaged 207 yards per game.

That is a pick your poison type of scenario for opposing defenses—which is a position that they never want to be in because that means you are constantly guessing as to what is coming next.

LASHLEE LED AN ATTACK THAT WAS IMMEDIATELY PRODUCTIVE WITH A GRAD TRANSFER QB

(Photo: Matt Visinsky, 247Sports)
If Miami decides to bring in a graduate transfer at quarterback, Lashlee has shown the ability to have success in that situation.

Shane Buechele transferred in from Texas prior to the 2019 season and had a ton of success as SMU’s starter.

He finished the season throwing for 3,929 yards with 34 touchdowns and ten interceptions while completing 62 percent of his passes.

It didn’t take Buechele long to get going in Lashlee’s system.

Buechele set the record for most passing yards in their first start by a Mustang with 360 in the season-opening win at Arkansas State on Aug. 31. The junior went 30-for-49 with 360 yards.

Manny Diaz understands that a huge key for the new offensive coordinator is the ability to get the most out of a quarterback. Lashlee showed that ability in 2019.

[Herbieibis]

Aero,
Look we all know this staff is downer but not knowing everything, some of this crap is on the players. Finally read where Lingard had ACL surgery which explained the lenght of time he was out but Manny should have gotten him sum Carrie's the last 3 games. Some dudes rest on them high school laurels. Last 15 years we've had more than our share of high star flops and yes coaching had a lot to do with it.

[alpine]

Thoughts on Rhett Lashlee?

Posted by: CGNC | January 04, 2020 at 09:46 AM

he's 2-stars from GONE WITH THE WIND (rhett & ashley)

[Herbiibis]

Anyone have Herald news on Zo and what former players are saying. Can't get the news.

[raizecane]

I am still affraid of that dude with the AR in the pic above......

[raizecane]

If we plan on running 90 plays a game, our offense better start hitting the treadmills TODAY!!!

[solarcane]

InsideTheU has confirmed that two staffers from the SMU football program will be joining Rhett Lashlee at Miami.

Jonathan Brewer, who was an offensive quality control analyst at SMU in 2019, along with Tyler Bullard, who was the director of coaches video, will join Lashlee in Cora; Gables.

Brewer’s specific role at Miami is unclear at this time. He did however spend time as an interim offensive line coach at SMU during the 2018 season.

[IraqiCane]

Daniel
@dannyboycane13
Also more breaking news: Stubbs is OUT as WR coach.
7:56 PM · Jan 4, 2020·Twitter for iPhone

[Sarasota 'cane]

Someone educate me on the o-line needs for a spread offense. Can you go lighter, fewer stars on the o-line or do you need pigs?

It still baffles me that teams like Wisconsin can out recruit Miami along the trenches. If Miami had an o-line like that they would've been in a New Years Day bowl game, IMO.

Go 'canes!!

P.S. Umike and Raizecane I'm still waiting on your names and addresses from Soup. Get on it Soup!!

[Herbieibis]

Wisky runs power football, pro style.
Probably don't need hogs to run spread but it would be nice to be big and fast.
Stubs gone, that's one, where's the others?

[IraqiCane]

Daniel
@dannyboycane13
More breaking news: Rumph and Patke are OUT, I repeat both are OUT

[86Cane]

Thoughts on Rhett Lashlee?

Posted by: CGNC | January 04, 2020 at 09:46 AM

100% behind it. Very positive step in the right direction. At least on paper.

Now, about those special teams?

[TonyCane]

I always had a STRONG gut feeling that Manny would be ruthless once the bowl and NSD were past us. I think that unlike Golden, he doesn’t let personal relationships bind him to outdated or bad philosophies, nor does he double down on mistakes that he’s made to avoid losing face. The question is twofold - are the changes too late, and will the new coaches be successful?

[BigWindyCane1]

Great article Soup!

[86Cane]

Thanks for the props on the article!

When the mood strikes me the blogs basically write themselves with just a little creative "wordsmithing" if that is even a word? LOL

I corrected some typos (it was late when I wrote it after several adult beverages) and change the last two paragraphs a little to make it better.

[86Cane]

Stubs gone, that's one, where's the others?

Posted by: Herbieibis | January 04, 2020 at 01:20 PM

@dannyboycane13
More breaking news: Rumph and Patke are OUT, I repeat both are OUT

Posted by: IraqiCane | January 04, 2020 at 01:22 PM

And just like that, they are GONE!

[BigWindyCane1]

Stubblefield, Patke and Rumph out, and Lashlee and Highsmith in? If true, so far, so good. I would like to see a couple more changes on the coaching staff, but good start.

Lingard and Pope to the Gators isn’t good, but hopefully, we can get some OLs, a QB like King through the transfer portal, and pick up a few more good three stars before NSD.

This 6-7 season against inferior competition has really set the Canes back in recruiting for some time. The Canes will struggle at this point getting high profile recruits until they start winning again, although the Lashlee hire doesn’t stop the bleeding.

That said, there are still some undervalued low four stars and three stars out there who can come in and help and develop into very good players.

[86Cane]

I'll give Manny tremendous credit for this change. He admitted his mistake and made an immediate and radical change. Something the majority of his predecessors refused to do.

Posted by: Go Canes!! | January 04, 2020 at 08:02 AM

Agree 100%. Feeling much better.

[BigWindyCane1]

**”..the Lashlee hire STOPS the bleeding.”

[86Cane]

I am still afraid of that dude with the AR in the pic above......

Posted by: raizecane | January 04, 2020 at 11:46 AM

Me too. Special forces that guy.

Just like that time you went into the game with the...oh never mind!

[86Cane]

Dem Arm Chair Boyz working HARD today at cleaning up this coaching staff. I like it!

#ArmChairBoyzRule

[IraqiCane]

This transfer portal is the college edition for free agency.

[TheHerbHasBeenHeard]

Hell to the YES!!! I said where are the rest. Get all those non recruiting fools out. Hate it for Rumph, not bad as a coach but Mike u had your chances to bring in something but ya couldn't do it.
Got to give Manny props. He loves this job. It's a ruthless business and he showed some guts. Whether or not he had a boot in his back or not to make them changes, we knew the DAM ArmChairBoyz knew.
Sum big boosters on the warpath and wanted changes. Fed up with the crap going on. Blames azz on fire and so is Manny's.
Look for Zo to be hired, whether they wanted him or not.
Don't make no mistake on these next hires. Make sure they can recruit and they ain't no buddies.

[Sarasota 'cane]

Posted by: Herbieibis | January 04, 2020 at 01:20 PM

Thanks. I knew Wisconsin ran a pro style. If I was from the midwest I would want to play in Miami. But just like the kids here they have their loyalties and want to play in front of their families as well I guess.

I'm not gonna throw the school a lifeline yet but they are getting out in front of this mess before signing day so there's that.

I saw Charlie Strong's name floating around and would love to see a guy like that on our staff. Probably wishful thinking though. I saw that Jim Leavitt followed Taggart to FAU. That's a huge "dented can" get. I thought Leavitt got a raw deal at USF.

I went to a USF vs WV Thursday night game when WV came into Tampa on a title run and The Bulls punched WV right in the mouth and took their lunch money. It reminded me of UM. Leavitt took that same team to Tallahassee and punched FSU in the mouf as well.

Guy's like Strong and Leavitt could mentor Manny.

Go 'canes!

[UMike]

Sota... Just sent soup the info

[Terrance M Sullivan]

I like the developments and will withhold Judgement until Thanksgiving Weekend. Palmetto 57th Manny is basically doing the I done bleeped and stepped in it time to clean up my Crap that I made. AKA I am Sorry please forgive me tour. But this is at least uplifting.