Rising Junior wide receiver Jeff Thomas’ return to the Miami football program was in part because of Manny Diaz succeeding Mark Richt as the Head Coach.
Jeff Thomas was dismissed from the Miami football team in the week in between the Miami wins over Virginia Tech and Pittsburgh. At the time there were conflicting reports from Thomas and Richt on whether or not Thomas was actually dismissed or left on his own.
Richt was unhappy with Thomas apparently being late for team meetings. Thomas did not like the way he was being utilized in the offense. A Miami Golden Cane wrote to Canes Warning about Thomas and asked to have his thoughts published. The rest of the text is from the Hurricanes benefactor.
Jeff Thomas led the Miami football team with 35 receptions for 563 yards this (past) season. Thomas was dismissed from the Hurricanes, or quit, depending on whose story you trust after their win over Virginia Tech in November.
Thomas was instrumental in the victory with a spectacular 51-yard punt return for a touchdown. The former East St. Louis Flyer was widely considered the most talented player on the Miami Hurricanes Offense. While he announced he would be going to the University of Illinois Jeff (Thomas) did play 11 of the 12 games.
Well, this was just released by Miami re: Jeff Thomas. pic.twitter.com/gizKBbToqY
— Christy Chirinos (@ChristyChirinos) November 21, 2018
Thomas and former Miami Head Coach Mark Richt had a disagreement that led to Thomas’ dismissal. The decision to leave the team was one made between Jeff (Thomas) and the (offensive) coaching staff which has been primarily replaced.
With Manny Diaz taking over at the head coaching position Jeff (Thomas) would have a clean slate which is something Diaz promised all players on the team. Additionally, because Manny was a Defensive Coordinator, his history with Jeff is relatively fresh.
The incoming Offensive Coordinator from Alabama (Dan Enos) is likely to run an offensive scheme better suited to use the talents of a Jeff Thomas then (the) unproductive former offensive scheme.
Regardless of who is under center as quarterback for the University of Miami, It would seem highly likely the pass rush protection should get a boost bringing in an NFL offensive line coach (Butch Barry) coming from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
With the new quarterback, and improved offensive line in the National Championship caliber play caller (Enos) the future for Thomas couldn’t look brighter at the University of Miami provided he’s able to get in with what likely will be a different style of team coaching.
No large segment of the fan base was extremely upset on the initial news of Thomas his departure. Both the fans and Thomas felt he was being underutilized by (the) football program that the inability to find it’s starting quarterback and offense of line not capable of protecting one.
Given the elite talent of a receiver like Thomas, it would seem likely that just getting the ball in his hands in open spaces should’ve been sufficient enough to offer him opportunities to put up numbers far greater than what he was actually able to achieve.
When rumors begin circulating that Thomas was reconsidering his decision to leave the University of Miami it was met with a great deal of excitement. (There is ) an underlying skepticism as to whether he was going to be a team player under the new regime.
It certainly seems on the surface that a large segment of the fan base were very pleased to see him return.