The University of Miami football program has hired Rob Likens as wide receivers coach, head coach Manny Diaz announced Friday.
"We are excited to welcome Rob and his family to Coral Gables," Diaz said. "Rob has extensive experience with fast-paced, high-octane offenses and he can serve as a great teacher and motivator to the young men in our receivers room."
Over his 28-year coaching career Likens has been an offensive coordinator at four schools, including the past two seasons at Arizona State, where he was also the quarterbacks coach.
In 2019, the Sun Devils started a true freshman quarterback, Jayden Daniels, for the first time in school history. Daniels threw for 2,943 yards with 17 touchdowns and just two interceptions, eclipsing the 300-yard passing mark on five occasions. He threw for a season-high 408 yards in ASU's 31-28 upset over sixth-ranked Oregon. Running back Eno Benjamin rushed for 1,083 yards and 10 touchdowns as a junior, finishing his career with 15 100-yard rushing games. Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk caught 65 passes for 1,192 yards and eight touchdowns, ranking second nationally in yards after catch (10.9). Aiyuk also ranked sixth nationally in all-purpose yards (155.8 per game). Benjamin and Aiyuk both earned first-team All-Pac-12 honors. The Sun Devils also turned the ball over just 14 times, ranking sixth in the country in turnover margin.
In 2018, ASU was the only Power 5 program to boast a 3,000-yard passer (Manny Wilkins), 1,500-yard rusher (Benjamin) and 1,000-yard receiver (N'Keal Harry). Wilkins accounted for 28 total touchdowns, while Benjamin set a school single-season record with 1,642 rushing yards. He broke ASU's single-game rushing mark with 312 yards in a win over Oregon State. Harry caught 73 passes for 1,088 yards and nine touchdowns and was later selected by the New England Patriots in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft. Both Benjamin and Harry earned first-team all-conference honors.
Likens spent the 2017 season as the Sun Devils' wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator. ASU had the 10th highest-graded passing attack in the nation according to Pro Football Focus after being graded 86th in 2016. The 76-spot swing in the passing game rankings was the third highest in all of FBS. Harry racked up 82 catches for 1,142 yards and eight touchdowns to earn first-team All-Pac-12 honors. The Sun Devils had five different receivers with 100-plus yard games in 2017, a school record.
Likens arrived in Tempe after two seasons as the offensive coordinator at Kansas. He spent the 2013 and 2014 seasons at California as assistant head coach and outside receivers coach, adding the title of passing game coordinator his second season.
In 2014, Likens' passing game, led by future NFL top overall draft pick Jared Goff, ranked sixth in the NCAA in passing yards per game (346) and broke the school's single-season passing yardage record with 4,152 yards. Additionally, three of Cal's top four receivers were Biletnikoff Award candidates in Chris Harper, Kenny Lawler and Bryce Treggs.
Cal's passing game during Likens' first season with the Golden Bears set single-season school records for passing yardage (3,977), pass completions (368) and pass attempts (622), while also establishing new single-game marks for passing yardage (521 vs. Washington State) and pass attempts (65 vs. Northwestern).
Herb that Aaron kid also kicked extra points as a 9th grader besides playing qb pretty talented
Posted by: solarcane | February 09, 2020 at 12:00 AM
g'morning!
nemo, aero, herb, windy: excellent come-back banter; made me smile!
but remember, coach L was good for a run about every 3 years, when the recruits, the injuries and the basketball gods aligned up good at our non-basketball school
- the 3-year timetable got messed up when the combo of NCAA vs. hewan + FBI false rumors that were not allowed to be aired & cleaned, wiped out a full class of coach L
. . . which has meant not enough bodies in the program; not enough bodies for good rotation play (tired at the end in games where the opposition has a deep bench; i.e. the entire ACC); and particularly, not enough healthy bodies for good practices, where you build, for ex., better assist-habits
- then you have the situation, like last night, where both of our bigs, gak & miller, are out injured, so FSU gets to clean up on the boards
. . . so many 2nd chances hurt our rather decent inside presence
Posted by: alpine | February 09, 2020 at 02:18 AM
BUT:
- L's last class was money: wong & beverly may not be one-and-done material, but they look to me as good as lonnie walker did
- walker brings a fun tornado energy . . . which at the moment, is unfortunately, so wild, he's still hurting his own team a lot; and his shot is still not going down
. . . but when L has time to groom his energy, watch out
- haven't seen anything about the next class yet; not even sure if there's already bodies that given their "yes" to our program, but we comin'
. . . plus, a 3rd cousin of mine has an uncle, who's 4th cousin has an aunt that has a cousin, who's married to coach L . . . so he's my homie!
Posted by: alpine | February 09, 2020 at 02:24 AM
The second trip on the more sane section was fun too.
I been down a couple more times but that first trip with you skool and Ocala was great..kinda like your first beer with your school pals.
Posted by: solarcane | February 07, 2020 at 09:36 PM
Yeah, I've done the French Broad since then, but it doesn't compare. Like riding a dime-store pony and an Arabian
Posted by: Old Skool | February 09, 2020 at 07:27 AM
Posted by: 58 Straight | February 07, 2020 at 09:20 PM
LOL _ there are 3 of you on that list Frank Caliendo
Posted by: CGNC | February 09, 2020 at 10:50 AM
then you have the situation, like last night, where both of our bigs, gak & miller, are out injured, so FSU gets to clean up on the boards
. . . so many 2nd chances hurt our rather decent inside presence
Posted by: alpine | February 09, 2020 at 02:18 AM
I agree that the Canes struggled rebounding yesterday, but the problem with this team is that they are last in the ACC in rebounding. Even with MILLER healthy, they still struggled rebounding. The Canes aren’t very good at rebounding, and that is who they are.
The Canes are also at the bottom of the ACC in most defensive categories, and they are also at the bottom in assists and assist-to-turnover ratio.
I like some of the talent on the team, but I am not sure they play like a real “team “ on both ends of the floor this season. I think the Canes have some talent, but it’s practically impossible to win games in the ACC or at any college level when you have miserable team stats like this.
Posted by: BigWindyCane1 | February 09, 2020 at 11:05 AM
The Chattooga Looks pretty awesome
Any of you guys ever run the Gauley in West Virginia? Ran it twice - pucker city at it’s best
Posted by: KYcane | February 09, 2020 at 11:22 AM
Posted by: BigWindyCane1 | February 09, 2020 at 11:05 AM
windy - i think i'm not being clear
- i love the stats you bring up and i totally agree, that we are below ACC average in everything; sometimes we're even the bottom of the barrel
. . . rebounds & assists are classic examples
- where i disagree with you and seemingly everyone else, who posts about BB, is
(1) the CAUSE of this plight (see below) and
(2) i think coach L has them playing BETTER than they actually are
. . . despite all the bottom stats, they've only been blown out about 5x; mostly from top 10 teams and usually injuries played a major part
. . . whereas they beat illinois, beat 3 ACC teams, came very close to an FSU upset the first time but lost in OT, etc.
. . . they're definitely a bottom team, but they have fight and chutzpah
- regarding point #1 above: i do NOT think coach L's recruitment and/or player development is the problem, so getting rid of him is not the fix
- recruiting-wise, remember, as a non-basketball school, he still brought in dewan, lonnie & bruce a few years ago
. . . and despite last year, he brought in a very good frosh class this year
. . . but like i've repeated ad nauseum, he had an entire recruiting cycle taken away, so that we do not have a single non-redshirt sophomore!!!
- development-wise; i always see improvement from his players year to year
bottom-line: they need to have 2 more good recruiting cycles to make up for the FBI-bust, and they will be good again (assuming injuries don't keep killing us)
Posted by: alpine | February 09, 2020 at 12:10 PM
Any of you guys ever run the Gauley in West Virginia? Ran it twice - pucker city at it’s best
Posted by: KYcane | February 09, 2020 at 11:22 AM
Never have but have heard that it is WICKED GOOD!
I am up for that one year.
Posted by: 86Cane | February 09, 2020 at 02:24 PM
43-29 halftime
. . . a not-so-great duke team putting the canes women away in another frustrating game
. . . you want to call for heads, meier's seat should be warm
. . . canes must own their own travel agency, cause no team has travelled as much as this womens team
oh well, time to hang in there
. . . could be worse: i could be watching cars or horses or dogs running around a track (snore)
Posted by: alpine | February 09, 2020 at 02:54 PM
Alpine,
It’s not that I think Coach L should be on the hot seat, I am just saying that in my opinion, he could do a better job recruiting and coaching players who play good team offense and defense.
I give Katie Meir a break this because she lost Beatrice Mompremier to injury, and she was a preseason All American and ACC player of the year. She also lost Laura Cornelius, who decided to forgo her Senior season to play pro basketball in Europe
Posted by: BigWindyCane1 | February 09, 2020 at 03:44 PM
70-51 duke with 3 minutes left for those holding their breath
i'm kind of disgusted . . . really don't like the lady canes team this year and i'm not seeing enough growth in the juniors and redshirt sophmores
Posted by: alpine | February 09, 2020 at 03:52 PM
I have to say this Alpine, u are devoted to bad basketball.
Posted by: The Herb | February 09, 2020 at 03:57 PM
I have to say this Alpine, u are devoted to bad basketball.
Posted by: The Herb | February 09, 2020 at 03:57 PM
truer words never spoken
. . . although even i'm losing interest in lady canes; might try one more
or not
Posted by: alpine | February 09, 2020 at 04:24 PM
I have to say this Alpine and all the 12%ers, u are devoted to bad football.
Posted by: The Herb
Fixed it herb
Lol
Posted by: AeroCane | February 09, 2020 at 05:39 PM
"Alpine" is merely his handle on the CaneSpace blog. His real name is Jim Laranaga.
Posted by: nemo2020 | February 09, 2020 at 05:49 PM
Good one Nemo!
Posted by: The Herb | February 09, 2020 at 06:13 PM
Aero,
After all this time we have all been dedicated to bad football and for awhile, I might add!
BUT BUT, That dam worm is turning, albeit slowly.
Posted by: HerbieIbis | February 09, 2020 at 06:17 PM
Positions on the bus still open:
Bartender
Culinary Coordinator
Talent Scout
Mechanic
Ticket Coordinator
Tailgate Coordinator
Posted by: 86Cane | February 08, 2020 at 02:33 PM
Posted by: 86Cane | February 09, 2020 at 06:54 PM
Reggie Wayne on trying to keep Andre Johnson from getting on the field
“Me and Santana Moss were starting receivers. We had our own substitution. When you got tired, you tapped your helmet. Then the backup comes in. Well, I had Andre Johnson behind me. I ain’t tapping the helmet because I ain’t getting back in there.
I hurt my ankle. (Former receivers coach) Curtis Johnson was like, ‘Reggie, come out.’ ‘No! I got this (Coach).’ I’m not letting him in the game. That was our motto. If you got hurt, your bad because the guy behind you is probably better than you anyway.”
Posted by: solarcane | February 09, 2020 at 08:24 PM
If you got hurt, your bad because the guy behind you is probably better than you anyway.”
Posted by: solarcane | February 09, 2020 at 08:24 PM
There IT is right there.
Posted by: 86Cane | February 09, 2020 at 08:30 PM
For those of U who don't remember or who were not around in 2009, then I preset U Andre Johnson:
https://canespace.typepad.com/canespace/2009/02/on-and-off-the-field-andre-johnson-is-an-mvp.html
Posted by: 58 Straight | February 09, 2020 at 08:50 PM
Here is another oldie but goldie:
https://canespace.typepad.com/canespace/2009/01/super-bowls-super-players-super-heros.html
Posted by: 58 Straight | February 09, 2020 at 09:04 PM
Where did they all go?
I noticed what Marve said about transfering to a school who ran a spread, just like he ran in high school. To bad we didn't jump on the band wagon 10 years ago but naturally our arrogance got in the way of forward progress.
Soup, u keep any records of when people joined the blog.
I was sitting here the other night trying to figure when I hopped on the canespace train. Seems like it was 2010 or 11.
I remember calling Jaboney Harris color blind on here.
Posted by: HerbieIbis | February 09, 2020 at 09:41 PM
Herbie...sorry no records of when people joined.
But what a long strange trip it's been.
Here is a link to the first blog back in 2007:
https://canespace.typepad.com/canespace/2007/06/pardon_our_dust.html
13 years of blood, sweat and tears...
Posted by: 86Cane | February 09, 2020 at 09:48 PM
Actually, this was the first blog ever:
https://canespace.typepad.com/canespace/2007/06/welcome_to_the_.html
Posted by: 86Cane | February 09, 2020 at 10:00 PM
This was the FIRST feature article:
https://canespace.typepad.com/canespace/2007/06/solarcane_on_le.html
Posted by: 86Cane | February 09, 2020 at 10:01 PM
"86,
FANTASTIC JOB!!!
Every true Cane fan owes you big time!
I just literally rolled in from the sticks, and POW it's up!
I'll email you later
We aren't worthy!!
peace
Posted by: solarcane | June 17, 2007 at 04:29 PM"
I still remember how stoked and proud I was of and for you that day.
I see by my post I was just coming in from some outside adventure,there is still nothing as satisfying as being outdoors.
Posted by: solarcane | February 09, 2020 at 10:29 PM
SWEET!
Can't wait to start checking here everyday instead of that SS site for INSIDE Cane info.
Great job 86... you do your Alma Mater and its fans a great service. (77 is proud to be a brother alum... and apparently quite a bit older alum as well.)
Great work... it's a groundswell of support like this that brings great Karma to our team and their success this season!
Posted by: roachcane77 | June 17, 2007 at 05:31 PM
Same here Solar! Here's MY first post on the (then) NEW Blog. 😂
13 years ago? Seems like only yesterday... Way to go SOUP!👏🏼🙌🏼
Posted by: roachcane77 | February 10, 2020 at 04:30 AM
just did a deep dive into canespace history
- really enjoyed the opening blogs & solar's article back in the days before canespace got electricity and in-house plumbing
- i recognized a few names including 1 or 2 i used to think were good, like "pb" and "esteban"
. . . and a couple still on here, like cgnc, dallas, hassan and omg, i mean ogv
- but as you scroll, you can almost here an old, melancholy folk song playin' "where have all those bloggers gone, ... long time passing"
- those who are still here, congrats . . . and keep on keepin' on
Posted by: alpine | February 10, 2020 at 04:38 AM
Great job 86.
Posted by: pb | June 17, 2007 at 10:46 AM
Whatever happened to this guy? He always had the best takes on the space?
Posted by: Go Canes!! | February 10, 2020 at 08:21 AM
13 years is a long time to do anything much less run a blog. So many good times and good people along the way have made it all worth it. Thanks to all of the Canespacers who have hung in there through thick and thin and all of the turmoil along the way. Here's to thirteen more GOOD years!
Posted by: SOUP | February 10, 2020 at 08:33 AM
Great Job Soupster!
Posted by: Terrance M. Sullivan | February 10, 2020 at 08:57 AM
Posted by: SOUP | February 10, 2020 at 08:33 AM
What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger!
Well done Tom.
Posted by: Go Canes!! | February 10, 2020 at 09:04 AM
Here's to thirteen more GOOD years!
Posted by: SOUP | February 10, 2020 at 08:33 AM
*************************************************
Hopefully we can win a conf championship in that time....
Posted by: raizecane | February 10, 2020 at 09:24 AM
Posted by: SOUP | February 10, 2020 at 08:33 AM
Thank you sir!! Many of us met on Omar's Sun Sentinel blog and Susan's Miami Herald blog. Those were the days!! If Omar had not jumped to the Dolphin beat I'm not sure there would even be a Canespace, but I'm glad he did!! The creme always rises to the top!!
Go 'canes!!
Posted by: Sarasota 'cane | February 10, 2020 at 09:30 AM
Anything Sports
Miami All Decade Team
Think how many of these guys only play in mop up up time before 2002
QB: Brad Kaaya (2014-16)
RB: Duke Johnson (2012-14)
RB: Lamar Miller (2010-12)
AP: Mark Walton (2016-18)
WR: Stacy Coley (2013-16)
WR: Allen Hurns (2010-13)
WR: Phillip Dorsett II (2011-14)
TE: David Njoku (2015-16)
C: Shane McDermott (2010-14)
OL: Jon Feliciano (2010-14)
OL: Brandon Linder (2010-13)
OL: Danny Isidora (2013-16)
OL: Ereck Flowers (2012-14)
DL: Joe Jackson (2016-18)
DL: Gerald Willis III (2016-18)
DL: RJ McIntosh (2015-17)
DL: Gregory Rousseau (2019-present)
LB: Denzel Perryman (2011-14)
LB: Shaquille Quarterman (2016-19)
LB: Sean Spence (2008-2011)
CB: Artie Burns (2013-15)
CB: Corn Elder (2013-16)
S: Deon Bush (2012-15)
S: Jaquan Johnson (2015-18)
K: Michael Badgley (2014-17)
P: Pat O'Donnell (2013)
RS: Corn Elder (2013-16)
Posted by: solarcane | February 10, 2020 at 10:27 AM
Anthon Sports
Posted by: solarcane | February 10, 2020 at 10:28 AM
Those guys had a head coach they could maybe beat Clemson and hang wiIth LSU but not with the chuckleheads we have seen come through here.
Posted by: solarcane | February 10, 2020 at 10:33 AM
pb AKA pb(cshof2008,2009,2010) man I loved that guy.
I was like his defense attorney in his spats with soup on a weekly basis.
His campaign for The Canespace Hall of Fame and his infatuation with canechic and CanesGirlNC had me lmao before people even used LMAO
Here's to you Mr.pb rebel wherever you are.
Posted by: solarcane | February 10, 2020 at 10:44 AM
If Omar had not jumped to the Dolphin beat I'm not sure there would even be a Canespace, but I'm glad he did!! The creme always rises to the top!!
Posted by: Sarasota 'cane | February 10, 2020 at 09:30 AM
FACT.
Everything happens for a reason.
Posted by: 86Cane | February 10, 2020 at 10:46 AM
Solar...I had forgotten all about the CSHOF.
I will see what I can dig up.
Posted by: 86Cane | February 10, 2020 at 10:48 AM
You da man soupbone
Posted by: solarcane | February 10, 2020 at 10:51 AM
Still have my CSHOF crystal glass proudly displayed in my Miami Hurricane memorabilia soup.
Posted by: solarcane | February 10, 2020 at 10:55 AM
One of the little joys of living right next to Appalachia. Corona beer sales have dropped 18 percent here because as the mountain savvy people here know that shyt will give you a virus.
Posted by: solarcane | February 10, 2020 at 11:06 AM
It makes u wonder, why guys and gals stopped chiming in on here. I guess it's called getting a life, who knows.
You wonder why, though they quit posting, guys like:
Papa cane
Up North Cane
Ohio Cane
360Cane
Canesrock
Mack Jones
Gin & Tonic,
Just to name a few
I see a few names on canesinsight, like Sinister and Mack Jones
Oh well it's been enjoyable for me to read and vent. Been banished before as well.
Thanks Soup for the enjoyment.
Posted by: HerbieIbis | February 10, 2020 at 12:04 PM
Herbie...everyone here knows that you ain't lived until you been banned on Canespace. It is a mark of success and a great achievement. People who put that ish on their resume get hired instantly! IJS
Posted by: 86Cane | February 10, 2020 at 12:22 PM
anyone catch an XFL game and if so, thoughts ??
Posted by: raizecane | February 10, 2020 at 12:30 PM
anyone catch an XFL game and if so, thoughts ??
Posted by: raizecane | February 10, 2020 at 12:30 PM
Nothing special. I quickly got bored.
Posted by: nemo2020 | February 10, 2020 at 12:47 PM
Great job 86.
Posted by: pb | June 17, 2007 at 10:46 AM
Whatever happened to this guy? He always had the best takes on the space?
Posted by: Go Canes!! | February 10, 2020 at 08:21 AM
I respectfully disagree. The best takes on Space was The Truth. His posts had sportwriters reading Space to glean info they couldn't find out on their own. The guy was so deep inside you'd have thought he was a cardiologist.
Posted by: Old Skool | February 10, 2020 at 12:58 PM