Miami Hurricanes WR Coach Ron Dugans could be leaving for Florida State
Miami Hurricanes Wide Receivers Coach Ron Dugans could be leaving to join Willie Taggart’s staff at Florida State. Dugan played for the Seminoles from 1995-99.
Taggart has been hired to replace Jimbo Fisher as the Seminoles next Head Coach. He signed a six-year, $30 million contract. Taggart is one of the rising offensive minds in college football. If Dugans is hired he might help Florida State keep some of their recruits. The Miami Hurricanes have flipped an oral commitment from Florida State and could potentially flip others.
Dugans was a part of Mark Richt’s inaugural staff at Miami in 2016. He coached under Taggart for two seasons at South Florida before coming to Miami. Dugans has also spent time at Louisville and as a graduate assistant at his alma mater from 2005-07 under his college coach Bobby Bowden.
Richt was also a part of Bowden’s staff during Dugans collegiate career. He was the Seminoles Offensive Coordinator from 1994-2000. Dugans had 105 receptions for 1,520 yards in parts of five collegiate seasons.
Source: If offered, Miami WR coach Ron Dugans would take the job at Florida State. He is a Tallahassee native (FAMU DRS alum), a former #FSU player, and was on Willie Taggart’s staff at USF.
— Kenny Morales (@KennyMoralesTV) December 5, 2017
Dugans has tutored a deep and talented Miami Hurricanes receiving core during his two seasons. Stacy Coley set career highs with 63 receptions for 754 yards and nine touchdowns in 2016. Braxton Berrios also set career highs this season with 51 receptions for 625 yards and equaled Coley’s nine touchdowns.
Dugans also mentored Ahmmon Richards who set a Miami Freshmen record with 934 receiving yards in 2016. Richards injury set the Miami offensive back this season. It meant that Dugans had to lead other players to step up.
The remainder of the Miami receiving core was inexperienced. Jeff Thomas, Lawrence Cager, Dayall Harris and Darrell Langham also made contributions this season.
Been waiting for this to become official, but now that it has -- don't be surprised if #UM WR coach Ron Dugans gets recruited to join Taggart's staff at FSU. They worked together at USF and Dugans obviously played at FSU and is from Tally. https://t.co/G3Xs621sXN
— Manny Navarro (@Manny_Navarro) December 5, 2017
Dugans potential defection to Florida State could help the Seminoles keep some of their recruits that have backed off on commitments with Fisher’s departure. One such player could be wide receiver Marquez Ezzard.
Ezzard is a former Florida State commit who re-opened his recruitment. He narrowed his schools to finalists Mississippi, Oregon and Miami. With Oregon being one of the finalists and Taggart and potentially some of his staff going with him to Florida State they might be able to flip him back to the Seminoles.
Dugans was still out recruiting as recently as Monday. He posted on Twitter after meeting with Miami commit wide receiver Mark Pope and target Patrick Surtain Jr.
Dugans moving to Florida State seems somewhat inevitable. He had familiarity with both Taggart and Richt. Playing for Richt might give the Hurricanes a chance to keep Dugans. His prior history coaching under Taggart, his allegiance to his alma mater and the fact that Dugans grew up in Tallahassee might mean he wants to return home.
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With the talent, the Miami Hurricanes have coming in at wide receiver and the fact everyone but Berrios is likely to be back, Richt should have no trouble replacing Dugans should he decide to leave.