Miami Hurricanes OL struggles not because of coaching

After allowing seven sacks in the first scrimmage and nine on Saturday the Miami Hurricanes struggles on the offensive line are not because of coaching according to UM Head Coach Mark Richt.

Richt and Miami Hurricanes Offensive Line Coach Stacy Searles have had to do a lot of juggling this spring to try and get a working combination. They seem to have finally found a combination that they are happy with going forward.

The right side of the line was what needed work. George Brown who began the first nine practices at right tackle seemed to be the biggest weakness on the Miami Hurricanes offensive line.

Brown was demoted to the second team. Right guard Navaughn Donaldson was moved to right tackle. Rising Junior Hayden Mahoney has been moved into Donaldson’s position at right guard.

Donaldson was exceptional as a true freshman last season. He was named a true Freshman All-American by ESPN at right guard.

The expectations from some of the Miami Hurricanes fan base is why aren’t more of the Freshmen moving into the lineup. Continuity and experience are both important when determining who will play up front.

Donaldson is the only Sophomore or Freshman among the Miami first-team big uglies. Tyree St. Louis at left tackle, Jahair Jones at left guard and Tyler Gauthier at Center will all be Seniors in 2018 and Mahoney is entering his Redshirt Junior season.

Richt discussed Searles job security with Joe Rose on WQAM on Monday morning.

"“I’ve known Coach Searels forever…He’s not a good line coach — he’s a great line coach. I’ll say this: When we got here, I thought of all of the position groups on the field, that was the one that had the least amount of guys that were ready to be ACC champion-caliber guys, and we’re still kind of fighting that battle.”"

Getting continuity and reps together will be the key for the newly formed offensive line. They have only had two practices together thus far. Richt said that Donaldson’s most comfortable position is at tackle.