Miami football has gone from recruiting losers to off-season winners
After the early three-day signing period concluded in December, the Miami football program was unanimously declared one of the losers. In the four weeks since the Miami Hurricanes have flipped college football on its head.
In the 23 days since the Pinstripe Bowl was played no one has been busier than Miami Athletic Director Blake James. James accepted the resignation of Miami Football Head Coach Mark Richt announcing his retirement, hired Manny Diaz about 11 hours later and the new Hurricanes Head Coach went from there.
A day after his December 30 hiring and with the backing of James and the Miami Board of Trustees Diaz fired the entire Offensive Coaching staff for the Miami football team. Diaz’s first week was tough after the early signing period for recruits was a disappointment for the Miami football program.
The early signing period came a week before the Miami football team’s disastrous 35-3 loss to Wisconsin in the Pinstripe Bowl. Miami is currently ranked 33rd by the 247Sports Composite rankings after several players Miami was recruiting committed to other schools during High-School All-Star games the first weekend in January.
Miami lost out on three prospects on January 5 at the Army All-American game. Defensive End Khris Bogle committed to Alabama, defensive back Tyrique Stevenson to Georgia and wide receiver Jadon Haselwood to Oklahoma.
The loss of the first two hurt the most. Bogle prepped at Cardinal Gibbons in Fort Lauderdale and Stevenson at Miami Southridge. There has been news this week that Bogle could flip from the Crimson Tide to the Miami football program or Tennessee.
Canes pushing hard on Cardinal Gibbons four-star DE Khris Bogle, despite non-binding commitment to Alabama earlier this month. Some measured optimism from Miami, but we'll see how it works out. Rivals' 66th best player in 2019 class.
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) January 16, 2019
Diaz has put together an exceptional staff after reshuffling, but ultimately kept the entire defensive staff that worked under him during the 2018 football Miami football season. David Feeley was Diaz’s first hire. Feeley is the Hurricanes new Director of Strength & Conditioning coming from the same position at Temple.