When A Hall Of Famer Talks, People Listen

During his first few days on campus, all he could do was chuckle.

As he’d make his way through the hallways of Miami’s football offices, the Hurricanes’ weight room or the Carol Soffer Indoor Practice Facility, Jason Taylor noticed how more than a few of the Hurricanes would try to duck out of his way or stay silent as he walked past them.

That shyness, that sense of awe didn’t exactly last long. At all.

“Now, they cut me off. They don’t hold the door open for me. And that’s how it should be,” said Taylor, the former Miami Dolphin and Pro Football Hall of Famer who joined head coach Mario Cristobal’s staff as a defensive analyst in March. “They’re in awe a little bit, but once you get around a little, they start seeing that you’re just a normal guy. You’re a person that’s been somewhere they aspire to be and they start to become sponges and ask questions.”

And Taylor is more than happy to answer any and all questions the Hurricanes lob his way.

The opportunity to help the next generation of Miami players is part of the reason Taylor – a former defensive coordinator at Fort Lauderdale’s St. Thomas Aquinas High School – opted to join Cristobal’s staff, even with all his responsibilities as a broadcaster for the Dolphins and as a father with two sons that will be playing Power 5 football this fall.

The other major reason he decided to join the Hurricanes? Cristobal himself.

“The first thing about Mario, and people always talk about it, he’s intense now. And he’s relentless. I’ll be honest – I’ve been talking to Coach Cristobal since he got hired here,” Taylor said. “It was a two-and-a-half month process of back and forth. He was busy trying to get a staff and recruit, but he’s relentless. When he wants to get something done, he’s going to get it done. He was determined to bring together a staff of professionals, of guys that know the game, where iron can sharpen iron and guys that are familiar with the process and the identity he wants to establish here. He gets after it and that’s contagious…”

There’s no doubt Taylor brings plenty of know-how to a defensive staff that includes veterans like Kevin Steele, Charlie Strong, Joe Salave’a, Jahmile Addae and Rod Wright, who between them, have decades of college coaching experience and multiple championships.

Taylor added the experience of a 15-year NFL career that included six Pro Bowl appearances, a nod as the 2006 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, a selection to NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 2000s and 139.5 career sacks, a number that ranked sixth in the league at the time of his enshrinement in Canton in 2017.

Still, Taylor admits that in his first staff meetings, he was as in awe of the coaches around him as the Hurricanes players were during their first encounters with him.

An encouraging late-night text from Steele made the Hall of Famer feel a bit more comfortable speaking up in staff meetings and now Taylor is happy to share his thoughts with the veteran coaches around him.

“It’s been interesting and enlightening and empowering. It’s been great,” Taylor said. “Actually, the first couple days, I was just like the kids in the staff room. Kevin Steele has been coaching this game for 42 years. Jahmile just won a championship last year at the University of Georgia. Charlie Strong is a three-time head coach. Joe Salave’a has been with Mario out in Oregon and coached one of the top guys coming out in [Kayvon Thibodeaux] in the draft this year…There’s a lot of camaraderie, a lot of banter back and forth…I understand I’m the lowest guy on the totem pole in that staff room and I’m okay with that. I’m here to help and learn in any way I can.”

In terms of what Taylor will do with the Hurricanes, the aspiring coach will be helping coaches break down film and study opponents. He won’t be on the field, but he’ll help the Hurricanes self-scout and yes, his primary focus will be helping Miami’s edge players be the best they can be.

He’ll again be working with Wright, a former teammate of his both with the Dolphins and briefly, the New York Jets. And Wright is, understandably, excited to once again have Taylor on his side.

“Why do I listen to Jason Taylor? He’s a freaking Hall of Famer, right? You want to listen to guys who’ve been there, who’ve done it. That brings credibility,” Wright said. “And it’s not just about ability – it’s about being a pro, understanding I have to show up early. I have to take notes. I have to look at the notes. I have to apply that. I have to get better every single day. Those are things that kids aspire to be, so they listen to that. They’re like ‘Hey, this guy’s been there. This guy’s done that.’…To be able to bring that credibility, those kids are just champing at the bit to hear the knowledge that we have and the things that we’ve learned because that’s what they want to do one day.”

Comments

[JCane]

Jalen Brown to LSU. Disappointing, but good luck to the young man.

[AeroCane]

Screw that JCane!
He’s been on campus more than a dozen times enjoying the U and his buds and now he goes to effing Brian Kelly and LSU!
I wish him no luck at that gross place!

[JCane]

I'm trying to take the high road, AC. Was all about the U til 2 days ago. Ridiculous. Think there's gonna be an all out attack by the SEC to stop UM unfortunately.

[Terrance Sullivan]

Awesome Article Soupster! Go Canes! We Are Good on The Recruiting Trail. We Got This!

[H]

U can thank his mom for the change. I'm thinking she got paid.

[JCane]

Just hoping Jayden Wayne sticks with his strong UM lean announcement tomorrow, and we get at least one more from IMG over the next mth. Need to load up this class as best we can, and then really hope the SEC thinks big picture about the national TV draw UM is when good, and FU is not. Good old boys network....

[HerbieIbis]

Don't get it when kids, that are near by, spend time on campus like every other week and yet go some place else. Mark Fletcher I believe did the same thing. If u know your not going their why bother.
That's just the way it's been for most of the elite So. Florida talent hang out at the U and then go some place else. Plenty of time to flip him back.
Anyway, we got it seems like 20 Wr's, we aught to be able to find 3 or 4 to get the job done.
What we need are some A-1 Linebackers and it looks like we are only taking 2 maybe 3. DT's, as it looks at this stage, may be a problem too. Bain is about the only one trending our way at this time.

[JCane]

4pm Wayne announcement. Hopefully a 👍 to have solid momentum continue and maybe have IMG teammate S. M'Pemba follow.

[JCane]

Wayne to the U!

[HerbieIbis]

Softens the blow of losing Brown. We keep the ball rolling with the cruits, he'll be regretting that decision.

[JCane]

Guess having a week we only get 2 5 star recruits shouldn't normally be perceived as a bad week

[Terrance Sullivan]

Go Canes!

[86Cane]

Guess having a week we only get 2 5 star recruits shouldn't normally be perceived as a bad week

Posted by: JCane | July 09, 2022 at 04:39 PM

So what you are saying is that "Stars Matter"?

[VA Cane]

I know why they hang out but don't stay....its as clear as the nose on your face....this is not 1983 2002 Canes....this is Aftermath (great Stones album by the way)....Aftermath of Fiesta Fiasco and Clappy Onion AlPa CMR and MD.....no OB advantage....last game OB blow out the fight Shapiro Midget Donna....but more importantly losing!!!!! Yes Clappy had a couple more decent years and bowl wins....but you could feel it....coasting on field and recruiting....and after the Peach Bowl loss to LSU....futility.....lots of losses that should not have been, lots of bowl losses...no real big wins against really good teams...yea an OK win a TAMU win a ND win....but really? Not big wins against elite teams!!

But I think Mario is different...he is a tie to the real UM era...when we WERE the best!!!! In the past it was cool to hang out wear the gear the hat....but hell...why go play for an average team...a loser compared to the old days!!!!
Florida is the best talent in the world for football....so get some lose some....but WIN!!!!!
Show em we are back...dont say it...like Keith Richards says Talk Is Cheap...hey hes been on top for 60 years..the REAL Dynasty!!!!

Mario has a plan...and understands having people like High Playmaker JT involved....as Al Davis said...Just Win Baby!!!!

We win they will come...everyone loves a winner...a loser...not so much!

Im fired up...Go Canes!!!

Hope you all are well!!!!

[JCane]

You know my answer, 86. Now if UM can get M'Pemba, another Edge, to take the July visit over visiting FU, it would give us a fighting chance, even though he comes from a different IMG, in MO. Like Herb said, a few LBs especially would be nice, and not just reaches or projects. Looks like we have good odds with 1-2 very good ones for now.

[VA Cane]

I think we need LBs...an Edge and I want a couple more big bad OL....I think it can be done.
Looking for a really good season!!!!

[nemo2020]

Commits.
Whose next?
Predictions, please.
Thanks!

[TJL]

Happy he found a home:

Miami (Fla.) transfer safety Gurvan Hall Jr. arrives in Logan with 18 career starts over four seasons with the Hurricanes, where he played under Banda, and will compete for the other starting spot.

[AeroCane]

My guess: very underrated OT Tommy Kinsler, 6’6, 330
Ex UF commit

[JCane]

?7/12 Raul Aguirre, 4 star LB from GA, is announcing. Likely toss-up between Bama and UM.

[AeroCane]

Aguire’s dad went to Columbus and there is a strong connection however, even though he’s been to campus numerous times, he did Not take one of his officials to the U.

[UMike]

Unless Mario and Strong work some last minute magic, Aguirre will be going to Bama.

[Ohio_Cane]

I'm calling Aguirre to UM. It's no lock, obviously, but I like it and think he commits to us over Bama.

Also, we're getting at least 1 more 5* OL between Samson Okunlola, Monroe Freeling, and Olaus Alinen

[UMike]

I hope you're right Ohio!

[UMike]

Alinen is likely going to Bama, but I like our chances with Okunlola.

[Ohio_Cane]

Also, 4* OL Payton Kirkland is ours if we want him, and it sounds like Mario and Co. do want him. Down to us and Mich St.

[UMike]

We will also pick up Mpemba

[nemo2020]

Lamar Seymore, Miami (Fla.) Central wide receiver and younger brother of Hurricane offensive lineman Laurence Seymore, announced a verbal commitment to the Pitt Panthers today.

[Ohio_Cane]

I'm calling Aguirre to UM. It's no lock, obviously, but I like it and think he commits to us over Bama.

Posted by: Ohio_Cane | July 11, 2022 at 09:23 AM
------------------------------------------

Bama insider says he's close to putting in prediction for Miami, as of a few mins ago

[Ohio_Cane]

Lamar Seymore, Miami (Fla.) Central wide receiver and younger brother of Hurricane offensive lineman Laurence Seymore, announced a verbal commitment to the Pitt Panthers today.

Posted by: nemo2020 | July 11, 2022 at 12:24 PM
----------------------------------------

He was committed to us until June. We have bigger fish we're after. He's a good player, but not good enough for Mario's Miami

[nemo2020]

Agreed.

[HerbieIbis]

Mario is on a roll with the Oh linemen.
Kinsler, Kirkland, Alinen, Okulona and Freeling could all potential be had but at least 2 to 3 of these guys would give us a monster haul, especially getting Okulona or however u spell his last name.
Aguirre could slide to us at the wire.
We need talent at LB.
Him and Bryant would be a good start.
MPemba I think will verb to us eventually.
Selwyn Brown's kid is another need at CB.
We need to find a college ready stud at DT. This, at present is the big mystery.
Bain is not college ready weight wise to play inside, which I think that's where they are looking for him to play. He will be a Cane.
Their is a kid makìng his choice in the next week or so that plays safety and I think we get him. His name has slipped The Herb's memory but he is a 4 star.
I think Andy Jean jumps back on board at WR.
RB it's either Baxter or Johnson, with Johnson being the best bet at present.
Things could change, this far out from signing day but this will end up being a stud class, unless we fall completely on our azz.
Bonsu is the kid that plays saftey.

[JCane]

Picking up Aguirre along with Bryant would be a very good start given the LB need, Herb. Otherwise, the class has the potential to be very very good, along with boosting the # of 1st names at Jayden/Jaden by at least 3.

[UMike]

We now have a commitment from a top 5 player at 4 positions... QB, OL, DE and TE.

[HerbieIbis]

That's a start.

[UMike]

Aguirre is a Cane!! Good call Ohio!

[HerbieIbis]

Well slide he did right out of Bama's grasp to us.
We cooking with white lightening.
Now That's what The Herb is talking about, talent at LB. Let's be greedy and get another.

[orange 'n green in the vein]

https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/2022-college-football-hot-seat-rankings-evaluating-the-job-security-of-all-131-fbs-coaches/

Cristobal is one of 24 rated at 0 which is equal to "untouchable." It's a bad season if next year that's changed.

[UMike]

Herb,good chance we add 4star LB Stanquan Clark from Killian as well. We're also after Malik Bryant from Orlando

[HerbieIbis]

I think Bryant may be announcing towards the end of the month.
I think Bonsu is on July 23.
We get us another top corner and DT, man this class would be off DA charts. Hell, if we spank azz during the season, we'll have kids beating on the door to get in. Huh, a nice problem to finally have, I might add.

[MLALUMNI1970]

Hi everyone, I just want to get the best team that can win, with Cristobal at the helm. Saturday, July 16 is my 74th birthday and all I want is for our Canes to WIN.❤️
Please, before I die!!

[JCane]

If we get one more high end non-reach LB, UMike, and Herb's CB and DT, I'd say Coach Mario and his staff will have achieved all we could have ever hoped for at this stage in terms of recruiting. Our incoming talent load would likely be the best in terms of individual talent and depth (ie getting all positions of need), although still want to see which RB we get. If the only guy with definitive mutual interest is one of the fastest guys in the state, it would be interesting to see how he develops. Overall, I am very impressed with the first few steps taken (putting together the right staff and doing the job on the recruiting front). The main questions beyond this will involve the actual coaching, which I'd like to think has to be better than we've seen in a lotta years. I just didn't care for the 2 Duck games vs. the Utes last year.

Overall, I feel a sense of excitement about the direction this team is going that I haven't felt since a VERY long time ago. I hope this team wins all the games it should and gets its share in games it has a chance in, and then the class stays intact, yada, yada.

The other keys include seeing a whole lot of guys who either had verbaled or had offers from schools UM hadn't been getting guys from over the years (ie Clemson, Bama, UGa, etc.) now seemingly coming UM's direction. If the Canes start winning, methinks this trend will pick up mucho momentum.

Have a good night all.

[JCane]

That is one more high end LB in addition to hopefully Bryant...but hasn't happened yet.

Also, Aguirre indicated his dad is best friends with Coach Mirabal's brother. Good contact. Keep signing guys from all over the country and start winning, and guessing most local guys won't be so quick to dis and ditch the U any more the following season.

[The Word From The Herb]

The only problem I see and this happened to Coker, is when u go traipsing all over the country chasing the big dogs, don't forget the local boyz. Coker only came back to them when all else failed and it was to late. He drove them to mainly FSU.
I know Mario is smarter than that but hey, until the locals wise up and the country is delivering the fruits of his labor, so be it.

[Ohio_Cane]

Elite OL Olaus Alinen crystal balled to MIAMI! And by Steve Wiltfong! It's happening, boys and girls!

[VA Cane]

I got to give Mario...and staff a lot of credit...putting it together this fast, and really getting kids to buy in to Miami. I agree Herb....go national but never forget where your bread is buttered....right down the street!....Having been here...I think Mario knows it and will stress it to the staff.
Lot of things in place...now just win this year!!! Lot of light at the end of the tunnel!!!

[Ohio_Cane]

Elite OL Olaus Alinen crystal balled to MIAMI! And by Steve Wiltfong! It's happening, boys and girls!

Posted by: Ohio_Cane | July 13, 2022 at 09:02 AM
------------------------------------------

Now so has elite OL Samson Okunlola! Mario is just gonna build an entire starting OL and backups with this class apparently lol

[VA Cane]

I must say I am overjoyed!!! I built my championship teams at all levels with a big strong OL. guy who were strong, quick, powerful, who listened and learned, were smart, picked those feet up....and love a physical attack whether it be run or pass block. I have fumed at the way our OL, when pass blocking, stand straight up and back peddle. I want my guys to attack...punch that mouth... then get in that breakdown football position and dare them to come on! Do it enough and they back off....same on the run block....drive him out of the play knock that ass down!!!

Great job Mario and staff keep it up and lets get ready to play this fall!!!!
Very proud and pleased!!!

[Old Skool]

Raul "Popo" Aguirre seems to have taken a nickname that should belong to a Mr. Popodak.

Also, it appears that a Chinese company has taken over Canespace.com

[86Cane]

Aguirre is a Cane!! Good call Ohio!

Posted by: UMike | July 12, 2022 at 03:18 PM

Well done Son!