Hard to trust Mark Richt will make any significant staff changes
Following the 34-3 blowout loss to Wisconsin in the Pinstripe Bowl Miami Hurricanes Head Coach Mark Richt seems to have had an offensive epiphany according to Miami Herald columnist Barry Jackson.
Jackson reported that a source with, in his words “direct knowledge of the coach’s important thinking” stated that Mark Richt realized now that changes need to be made “inside the program…and specifically with the team’s offense.”
Richt’s past history at Miami and Georgia make it tough to trust that the change will occur with the Hurricanes hiring a new Offensive Coordinator or Quarterbacks Coach. Miami Offensive Coordinator Thomas Brown played for Richt at Georgia. It has been overdocumented that Miami’s Quarterbacks coach is Richt’s son Jon.
Miami’s offense was abysmal this season. The Hurricanes had one of the worst passing offenses nationally in 2018. In nearly every measurable passing statistic in 2018, the Hurricanes were ranked 90th or below nationally. Logic would be that something needs to change for 2019.
According to Jackson, what those changes were had not been communicated to the Hurricanes coaching staff as of Friday afternoon. Jackson said that a source (he didn’t specify if it was the same one) stated that everything, including the potential of a new Offensive Coordinator, Play Caller or Offensive Assistant are being considered.
Richt, when asked if he worries an offensive performance like this might worry recruits as Miami tries to improve its signing class says it could worry them...or show them there’s opportunity here.
— Christy Chirinos (@ChristyChirinos) December 28, 2018
It’s also possible that the Hurricanes could change their schemes for 2019. Mark Richt is known as being notoriously stubborn as many coaches are. It’s tough to trust that significant staff changes or a drastic change in scheme will manifest itself for 2019.
Defensive Coordinator Manny Diaz’s departure to Temple to take the Head Coaching job leaves Richt with a staff opening. He previously said that they would hire a Defensive Assistant to replace Diaz. Safeties Coach Ephraim Banda and Inside Linebackers Coach Jonathan Patke were promoted to Co-Defensive Coordinators.
Miami should have the money to replace Diaz. He was one of the highest paid Assistant Coaches in the country. The promotion of Banda and Patke not only saved Miami the coaching position on the Hurricanes staff it also freed up money.
Despite the feelings of disgust and disappointment in tonight's game, I find myself overcome with gratitude toward all of the players and guys on the staff that made the Miami Hurricanes fun to watch on defense again over the last 3 years. It has been a honor to serve Miami! 🙌🏽
— Manny Diaz (@Coach_MannyDiaz) December 28, 2018
It wouldn’t be surprising to see Richt hire an Offensive Assistant. It would be very surprising at this point to see the new staff hire be an Offensive Coordinator or Quarterbacks Coach.
Richt could have Todd Hartley relinquish his role as either Special Teams Coordinator or Tight Ends Coach and have the new hire take the other role. At this point, Richt has to show us the changes he is capable of making more than merely discussing them or having someone close to him stating that it will happen.
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The vast majority of fans, media members, bloggers and alums of the Miami football team have come up with dozens of suggestions on what changes Mark Richt should make this offseason. Until it actually happens Richt has not given us any reason to believe they will.