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).
Bottom line: the coaches need to start winning some games — win and they will come!
Posted by: BigWindyCane1 | February 11, 2020 at 10:06 PM
There IT is right there.
If CGNC's 7% bus comes in first in the Miami primary, we will struggle mightily once again.
If Terrance's 10% bus comes in we will see the worm turn in our favor and good things will follow.
If OUR 12% bus rolls into town in early December we will blow the doors off this place like you haven't see since, since, since, well shall I dare say, 2001?
We have one last chance to save Miami and Manny.
His name is Lashlee.
His OL coach is Justice.
His QB is King.
God, please we are begging U one last time...
Posted by: 58 Straight | February 11, 2020 at 10:23 PM
I see Franklin is ranked as the 186th prospect per 247 composite rankings. That ranking is an absolute joke!
Posted by: BigWindyCane1 | February 11, 2020 at 10:43 PM
I remember a time when a kid named Jacory brought half of the high school national championship team to town, all our problems were solved and for sure we would never ever look back.
We were younger then and didnt admit to ourselves other teams were getting just as good players but had way better coaches.
Now for the first time in forever we have what appear like real coaches, and a Hall of Fame mentor to guide them.
We have a qb that has proven himself and is said to have the work ethic we haven't seen in a qb since KD11.
If he teaches Van Dyke how to be a leader on and off the field we will have a quality qb room with the next starter plugged in and guys waiting their turn to run the show.
I like Reed telling parents if your kid doesn't want to compete don't come here. I think we will see a lot of guys get weeded out,and a few guys we want get passed over because they have attitude issues.
Manny has done a really good job of making positive changes.
Posted by: solarcane | February 11, 2020 at 10:52 PM
Aside from some of the WR prospects mentioned, Jacorey Brooks and Romello Brinson are two 2021 WR prospects I really like a lot. They have been making big game changing plays since 10th grade.
As for DBs, I like those Palmetto CBs Jason Marshall and Corey Collier. If Rumph can get one of them, I think he will have an elite corner, and Arte Burns little brother along with Markeviuos Brown or someone of that ilk, would give us a super elite CB class
Posted by: BigWindyCane1 | February 11, 2020 at 10:59 PM
Windy,
right on about winning games will cure a lot of recruiting misses.
If we do have a shock the world offense, a sound defense and an at least average special team we will be on our way back, and kids will want to be here.
Posted by: solarcane | February 11, 2020 at 10:59 PM
Posted by: HerbieIbis | February 11, 2020 at 08:51
Herb yeah, one of my favorite movies too.
Posted by: solarcane | February 11, 2020 at 11:03 PM
Windy,
the 2021 recruiting recruit player rankings 24/7 sports
https://247sports.com/Season/2021-Football/RecruitRankings/
Ohio State must have a lot of recruiters whispering in players ears it seems
Posted by: solarcane | February 12, 2020 at 01:10 AM
RIP Robert Conrad, Two-Fisted TV Star of ‘Wild Wild West,’ Dies at 84
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/08/arts/robert-conrad-dead.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share
pre-high school years soaking up the b & w telly with "i dream of jeannie", "hogans heroes", "gilligans island", . . . and, of course, "wild, wild west"
. . . the proverbial "good ole days"
got shocked so much turning on our old tv when our floor was cold, that i'd be holding my breath and acting like our on button was a king cobra i was trying to shake hands with
Posted by: alpine | February 12, 2020 at 01:10 AM
Coach Fields ranked number 3 college football recruiter for 2021 class right now
Awesome
Posted by: solarcane | February 12, 2020 at 01:14 AM
One thing about those Louisiana boys ain't to many by pass LSU. They don't leave the crib.
Posted by: HerbieIbis | February 12, 2020 at 02:29 AM
One thing about those Louisiana boys ain't to many by pass LSU. They don't leave the crib.
Posted by: HerbieIbis | February 12, 2020 at 02:29 AM
True! Winning helps, though. And now we have Ed Reed to help us recruit Louisiana and any other state we want
Posted by: BigWindyCane1 | February 12, 2020 at 07:04 AM
This 2021 class is loaded with local talent. We've got all the offseason momentum in the world.
But this team has got to get it done on the field this year if we are ever going to get this thing turned around.
Like last year, 10 wins should be the basement. Even with the worst 3rd down offense and most dysfunctional QB room in the country we were ahead or within a TD of the lead in the 4th quarter of 90% of our games.
Expect the defense to be ferocious up front to lead the way and King has all the things we've dreamed about at QB in an offense everyone has been begging for.
Could be a really special year, BUT Manny has to prove it to me. Not on the bus yet.
Posted by: pb | February 12, 2020 at 07:20 AM
Posted by: HerbieIbis | February 11, 2020 at 08:51
Herb yeah, one of my favorite movies too.
Posted by: solarcane | February 11, 2020 at 11:03 PM
What a great movie!
Paul Newman... the King of Cool!
I can see Ed Reed talking to some slackers in the lockerroom... "What we've got here is failure to communicate." 😠😂🤣
Posted by: roachcane77 | February 12, 2020 at 08:16 AM
roach
https://youtu.be/KyR7XB0VBPM
Posted by: solarcane | February 12, 2020 at 10:09 AM
Yeah,
Him sitting in the Oh locker room telling those guys about failure to communicate.
The report is the fruits are bountiful in So.Flo. for the 2021 class at all positions, especially the lines.
Someone mentioned the Collier kid, I believe he is an FSU legacy and probably just like Branden Jennings, will probably go there. Bradley didn't have no pull with his kid brother.
Posted by: HerbieIbis | February 12, 2020 at 10:16 AM
Posted by: solarcane | February 12, 2020 at 10:09 AM
ICONIC! What a great scene!
The list of great film roles is endless for Newman! Not to mention his sports car racing career!
Posted by: roachcane77 | February 12, 2020 at 10:21 AM
pre-high school years soaking up the b & w telly with "i dream of jeannie", "hogans heroes", "gilligans island", . . . and, of course, "wild, wild west"
. . . the proverbial "good ole days"
Posted by: alpine | February 12, 2020 at 01:10 AM
Agree on all of the above.
Add Happy Days, Baretta, Starsky and Hutch, Barnaby Jones, Columbo, Mod Squad, CHIPS and many, many others.
Posted by: 86Cane | February 12, 2020 at 11:33 AM
Big Al
Loved the comment about getting zapped standing on the bare floor.
Remember "Florida Rooms" with Terrazzo floors and jalousie windows?
Terrazzo has the slip coefficient of Armour All you could do that Risky Business slide just trying to answer the phone.
Terrazzo being about 1000 times harder than stainless steel, and my older sister hating my guts raised many a bruise on my 10 year old body.
Thanks for the memory Big Al.
Posted by: solarcane | February 12, 2020 at 12:06 PM
Posted by: solarcane | February 12, 2020 at 12:06 PM
Funny how those floors have come full circle. A lot of high end new construction homes are doing custom variations of them.
Posted by: pb | February 12, 2020 at 12:46 PM
Posted by: solarcane | February 12, 2020 at 12:06 PM
LOVED this post!
our tv was in our florida room (lived in the chinese village for anyone knowing about the gables)
i don't know what a terrazzo floor is, but it's possible that's what i was standing on
what i loved about my parents was that they put a big old fluff sofa in that tv room, and i'd be jumping, falling and playing fantasy army on that big mamma sofa while watching tv
no couch potato; a coach mexican jumping bean
SOUP: some good ones you listed tv-wise: happy days & mod squad were two i enjoyed and had forgotten about
my mother loved barnaby, perry mason ad i love lucy, so i wound up checking them out sometimes too
Posted by: alpine | February 12, 2020 at 02:21 PM
CGNC
this one
https://canespace.typepad.com/.a/6a00e008c6725888340120a601e943970c-pi
Posted by: solarcane | February 10, 2020 at 06:36 PM
"It Ain't Raining Today Is it Bishes" I was just thinking of that the other day!!!!
Posted by: CGNC | February 12, 2020 at 02:39 PM
Big Al,
Terrazzo looked like tiny
colored marble chips the size of confetti mixed in concrete and finished and buffed till the floor was perfectly flat and shined like a concrete roller skating rink.
The Rifleman,Gun Smoke,American Bandstand, Ralph Rennik and the news,Morris Macklemore and the sports Annette Funicello
Posted by: solarcane | February 12, 2020 at 02:47 PM
Raize Good Job. I am sure The 7% Bus with CGNC, Solar and Aero will be a lively Bus.
Posted by: Terrance M Sullivan | February 11, 2020 at 04:16 PM
Raize, I believe the 7% bus serves Captain and Coke after 6. IJS
Posted by: CGNC | February 12, 2020 at 02:47 PM
If I’m on the 7% bus, I would hope Capt Morgan and coke starts at noon!
I’m ok with mimosas and bloody Mary’s before noon!
Anyone care to join?
Posted by: AeroCane | February 12, 2020 at 03:07 PM
Big Al,
Terrazzo looked like tiny
colored marble chips the size of confetti mixed in concrete and finished and buffed till the floor was perfectly flat and shined like a concrete roller skating rink.
The Rifleman,Gun Smoke,American Bandstand, Ralph Rennik and the news,Morris Macklemore and the sports Annette Funicello
Posted by: solarcane | February 12, 2020 at 02:47 PM
- thanks for the terrazzo-explanation = NOT terrazzo; just some kind of brown tile
- i'm only 63 solar, so no idea about "the rifleman" or "morris macklemore"
- "gunsmoke" was my fathers favorite, but i was already in bed
- but damn, RALPH RENICK!!! congrats to your brain cells, solar, on pulling that one up!! 6 p.m. evening news (local) if i remember right
- i'm assuming you meant to say "sporty" anette funicello?
. . . to this day, "M I C, see you next week, K E Y, why? because we like you,
M O U S E . . ." goes thru my brain every now & then, if someone says "see you"
Posted by: alpine | February 12, 2020 at 04:39 PM
Big Al,
The John Forgerty line
A Bomb Fears,Anette had ears... I lusted in my heart.
yeah
Morris Maclomore would come on after the news but before the weather and describe this crappy team way down in Miami coached by this Andy Gustafston guy.
Ralph R would sign off every night with
"Good night, and may the good news be yours"
Mousekateers I remember
Annette, Cubby, Doreen, Bobby, Sleepy, Dopey,Donner and Blitzen
Posted by: solarcane | February 12, 2020 at 05:12 PM
If I’m on the 7% bus, I would hope Capt Morgan and coke starts at noon!
I’m ok with mimosas and bloody Mary’s before noon!
Anyone care to join?
Posted by: AeroCane | February 12, 2020 at 03:07 PM
It's BYOB prior to 6. LOL
Posted by: CGNC | February 12, 2020 at 05:15 PM
"It Ain't Raining Today Is it Bishes" I was just thinking of that the other day!!!!
Posted by: CGNC | February 12, 2020 at 02:39 PM
Oh the sweet, sweet memmories...
Posted by: 58 Straight | February 12, 2020 at 06:24 PM
Morris Macklemore and the sports Annette Funicello
Posted by: solarcane | February 12, 2020 at 02:47 PM
SOLAR FOR THE WIN!
Early 70's Shula and his Dolphins ruled Miami.
The Hurricanes were a HS team and every team's Homecoming dream. Chalk it up as an easy win!
Posted by: 58 Straight | February 12, 2020 at 06:26 PM
Bet U didn't know...
http://www.umsportshalloffame.com/eddie-edwards.html
Posted by: 58 Straight | February 12, 2020 at 06:39 PM
"It Ain't Raining Today Is it Bishes" I was just thinking of that the other day!!!!
Posted by: CGNC | February 12, 2020 at 02:39 PM
Man those days were a hoot CG!
Posted by: solarcane | February 12, 2020 at 06:49 PM
Morris Macklemore and the sports Annette Funicello
Posted by: solarcane | February 12, 2020 at 02:47 PM
SOLAR FOR THE WIN!
Blind Squirrel syndrome soup
Posted by: solarcane | February 12, 2020 at 06:51 PM
Posted by: 58 Straight | February 12, 2020 at 06:39 PM
Nice catch soup,
I cant remember him he sounds like a beast. Im sure Harry and roach knew about him.
I remember Otis Anderson,Larry Cain,and EJ Baker right around then
Those were the free Burger King and Burdines ticket days.
Posted by: solarcane | February 12, 2020 at 07:05 PM
Bet U didn't know...
http://www.umsportshalloffame.com/eddie-edwards.html
Posted by: 58 Straight | February 12, 2020 at 06:39 PM
I did!
Eddie Edwards, Chuck Foreman, Ottis (OJ) Anderson, Tony Cristiani, Rubin Carter, Don Latimer, Woody Bennett... These guys were in my classes at The U!
Posted by: roachcane77 | February 12, 2020 at 07:12 PM
Speaking of TV news...
Walter Cronise ring any bells?
He was the weatherman for WPLG Channel 10, for many years, and lived in my neighborhood in North Dade, (I went to high school at Miami Norland with his son.) He was a decent guy...
Posted by: roachcane77 | February 12, 2020 at 07:18 PM
roach,
I knew Rubin Carter he was a few years behind me at Stranahan
Walter Cronise heck
"The Fearless Foercast"
Posted by: solarcane | February 12, 2020 at 07:39 PM
Charlie Baxter AKA M.T. Graves
man there were so many
Posted by: solarcane | February 12, 2020 at 07:50 PM
NEW BLOG IS UP!
Posted by: 58 Straight | February 12, 2020 at 10:20 PM