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Miami Hurricanes Football: If I’m Coach Larry Scott I’ve Learned From ‘Phins Dan Campbell

By Shanon Culiner

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There’s a lot of parallels between the Miami Hurricanes and the Miami Dolphins as of late.

Besides playing in the same city and stadium, both Miami football teams have underachieved early in the year, fired their head coaches (weeks apart) and have promoted their tight end coaches to interim head coach.

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The difference is that the ‘Canes have no clue how the remaining schedule will turn out (now that Al Golden is gone), however the ‘Phins look rejuvenated and are now undefeated under Dan Campbell (2-0). And, the Dolphins are not just winning, but destroying the opposing team.

I mean, people are calling Campbell a ‘Miracle Man’ and the interim head coach has been trending on social media and talked about all over the web.

What did Dan Campbell do so differently to make such an immediate impact? And, can it be duplicated for Larry Scott and the ‘Canes?

Like the Dolphins, the Hurricanes have a lot of talent and playmaking ability. I don’t know the specifics to what’s now being coached on the Dolphins’ practice field, but from what I’ve recently read about and seen on Sundays this is what I think the ‘Canes could take from Coach Campbell:

Energize the team, especially the defense:

Ndamukong Suh, Cameron Wake and Oliver Vernon had no sacks under Joe Philbin. In the past two weeks, they’ve totaled 9 sacks with Wake having a whopping 6 sacks. When it comes to guys crouched in a 3-point stance and taking on the guy in front of them, domination comes from pure will and exploiting one’s strength and skill. Motivation needs to be instilled. Sure o-lines come up with unique blocking schemes, but if you have the talent and strength, you can a find a way to beat your blocker. And, in my opinion, the ‘Canes are loaded with defensive talent. They’re just not able to get off their blocks or beat their man. They’ll need Coach Scott to also spark a fire within them.

Increase intensity and physicality in practice:

The Hurricanes simply got beat up by Clemson this past Saturday. I don’t think there was a mere strand of toughness in their DNA throughout that game. However, it all starts on the practice field. That’s where players can build toughness and competitiveness. We’re talking about old-school “Oklahoma” drills, “Man in the Middle” drills, “Gauntlet” drills, and full-contact eleven-on-eleven starters vs. starters (which is rare mid-season). Apparently, that’s exactly what Coach Campbell has implemented in the Dolphins’ practices. And, those players are paid professionals and some being veteran. In fact, Dolphin players are saying that their practices have now become so difficult that Sunday games are so much easier. So for a group of younger college players, the time is now to get a lot tougher on them.

Oct 18, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Miami Dolphins interim head coach Dan Campbell (L) celebrates with players after a touchdown during the first half against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Utilize Joe Yearby and Mark Walton better:

Dolphins’ running back Lamar Miller is similar in size and style to Yearby and Walton. I know that being successful at running the ball is due to how well the offensive line blocks. But, how is it that Miller was averaging about 33 yards per game under Philbin and now has back-to-back consecutive 100-yard games under Campbell? And, quite frankly, he’s lighting it up. Coach Scott needs to utilize his duo’s speed and quickness. Thus, run sweeps and off-tackle plays. In some cases, run draws and pitch plays. In the passing game, have some well-designed screens. Yearby and Walton are not built to run between the tackles most of the time. Unfortunately, the ‘Canes lost Gus Edwards for the year and it was he who was supposed to bruise defenses up the gut.

Put Brad Kaaya under center: 

It is unsure if Kaaya will play against Duke this Saturday. He suffered a head injury in the loss to Clemson. But if healthy, Kaaya should line up under center more often. I know a lot of people would say leave Kaaya alone as he’s been one of the few bright spots. Nonetheless, when lining up under center the quarterback can utilize the play action pass. Like Ryan Tannehill, Kaaya was lined up in shotgun most of the time. It pretty much makes the offense one-dimensional … it’s most-likely a pass play. Nevertheless, good quarterbacks like Kaaya can still torch the defense and it buys them more time in the pocket. However, play action would add a new dynamics to this ‘Canes offense. Campbell has had Tannehill now under center more often and it’s been working out great. A defense must now ask the question: is it pass or is it a run? And, a quick fake run has the linebackers and safeties come up and hesitate.

Simplify Everything:

At this point, throw out half the playbook and simplify the schemes on defense. The less a player has to think the more he can just fly around and make plays. Most of the ‘Canes players are highly touted guys out of high school. Let them get after it. The more that goes on in their heads, the more they’re thinking as opposed to playing. Clearly, the defensive scheme for the ‘Canes hasn’t been working. When the Dolphins d-coordinator Kevin Coyle was fired along with Philbin, Campbell made sure to simplify the defense. It has paid off drastically. Keep the things that work to the Hurricanes’ strengths like rushing plays utilizing speed and quickness (mentioned above).

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