Mark Richt being booed at Hard Rock Stadium a year ago would have been unthinkable. That’s exactly what happened during the Miami Hurricanes loss to Duke on Saturday night.
The Miami Hurricanes were flying high in November 2017 after back to back victories over Virginia Tech and Notre Dame in ABC’s Saturday Night Primetime game of the week.
Nearly a year to the day after the resounding win over Virginia Tech at home, the Miami Hurricanes lost their first regular season home game in over two years. They played a second straight second half without scoring and went an entire half without reaching the end zone for a third straight game.
The loss to Duke dropped Miami to 5-4 overall and 2-3 in the ACC. The Hurricanes have now lost five of their last 12 games, four of their last 11 against FBS opponents and seven of their last nine against teams from power five conferences.
The Hurricanes have also lost five of their last seven against ACC teams. Their only wins in that span came earlier this season against reeling North Carolina and Florida State.
Social media blew up before, during and after Miami’s game against Duke. Fans and the media want answers about what has happened to the Miami offense.
Several national media outlets picked up on the fact that Richt got booed by his home fans on Saturday night. Miami Hurricanes fans throughout social media have asked for to Richt get fired or resign.
Mark Richt video comes up on the Jumbotron during a timeout. He got booed. Loudly.
— Manny Navarro (@Manny_Navarro) November 4, 2018
The observations on the Miami Hurricanes involved former players as well as fans, media and bloggers. One former Miami All-American and NFL Pro Bowler offered his services to try and help fix some of the Hurricanes problems.
I don’t have to be the head O-Line coach, so I don’t want anyone to feel intimidated by my presence, but they can have me come in @ least two days out the week & help coach up technique in the run & pass game. https://t.co/98VlcMfbmA
— Bryant Mckinnie (@BryantMckinnie) November 4, 2018
McKinnie is not the only Miami alum getting frustrated. Pro Football Hall of Famer defensive tackle Warren Sapp channeled the New Orleans Saints fans who wore bags over their heads titled with the word Aints. Sapp has frequently outspoken about the Hurricanes troubles over the last three weeks.
I came, I saw & I seen enough!! #CanesDeadYall #ThisWasDuke pic.twitter.com/FHP6eecT3h
— Warren Sapp (@WarrenSapp) November 4, 2018
The Miami fans and alums have become embarrassed over the Hurricanes quick recession since they were second in the College Football Playoff rankings after a 10-0 start to the 2017 season.
One Miami fan who is known as Canes Football under the Twitter monicker @4feldman on Twitter expressed his frustration but missed the concept of team.
The 15 game winning streak the bridged the 2016 and ’17 season is long gone. It gave Miami Hurricanes fans a false narrative that “The U is back.”. Winning the ACC Coastal Division title in 2017 was an important step and milestone in Mark Richt rebuilding the Miami football program. Since then has been a major step back.
There were plenty of suggestions on social media for what Richt and his staff need to do to fix what ails the Miami Hurricanes, specifically on offense. Miami had direction offensively against Duke, particularly at quarterback.
Mark Richt is not going to get fired and the likelihood of any coaching changes particularly with his son, quarterbacks coach Jon is very small. Miami sportscaster Will Manso has been on top of the Hurricanes issues for the last three weeks.
Mark Richt can be a good HC and right man for UM, which I believe he is, and not be doing a good job with this offense at same time. They can both be true. Enough “Fire Richt” talk. It should be “Fix this Richt” talk. It’s on him to see issues and make changes this offseason.
— Will Manso (@WillManso) November 4, 2018
As usual, the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson had a brilliant article about what Miami needs to do to upgrade the offense. Jackson covers what Richt and the Miami Hurricanes should do at quarterback, on the offensive line and play calling.
You can criticize the coaching all you want and some of it is very valid. The bigger problem is UM isn't snagging enough elite players on offense like Richt did at Georgia (no Gurley, no Stafford, no Sony Michel). Don't overestimate these players, folks: https://t.co/Ox1PF8NPZF
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) November 4, 2018
West Palm Beach sportscaster Ian Hest is one of the few Miami Hurricanes followers that is still keeping the faith with the chance to repeat in the Coastal.
The path for #Canes to win the Coastal (I know, I know):
— Ian Hest (@IanHest) November 4, 2018
1) Win out
2) VT beats Pitt
3) Clemson beats Duke
4) VT beats UVA
Miami, VT, Pitt, & UVA would all be 5-3. Pitt & UVA would be eliminated w a 1-2 round robin (UM/VT would be 2-1) & Miami would win tiebreaker w VT on H2H
With a three-game losing streak and two consecutive road games ahead of them the Miami Hurricanes need to focus on what’s in front of them. This is one of the most disappointing seasons in the history of the Miami football program. If it continues the cries on social media will become even louder.
Richt is in a tricky position and continues to paint himself into a corner in many ways. He frequently mentions how important the fans are. Putting a product on the field that fans will be entertained by is important. Winning cures almost all of those evils.