Through the first four spring practices, Dan Enos’ Miami Hurricanes offense has projected a few fundamental differences than how Mark Richt operated. The offense is still being installed and the players are still learning the basics of what Enos expects.
Dan Enos brings a reputation to the Miami Hurricanes for his offensive acumen and developing QBs. As QB coach in 2018, Enos guided Tua Tagovailoa and Alabama to FBS records for passing efficiency. Enos also developed QBs and brothers Bradon and Austin Allen who are third and eighth in passing in Arkansas history.
Quarterback Tate Martell told Sun Sentinel reporter Christy Chirinos that “we’re trying to install the basics of the offense and trying to get all 11 guys to do exactly what they need to do.” Getting all 11 players on the field to be on the same page in a new offense with an entirely new coaching staff on that side of the ball is a process.
Miami returns five starters from the Pinstripe Bowl loss to Wisconsin. Two of those, right tackle Delone Scaife and right guard Navaughn Donaldson are moving to the left side of the offensive line. That means only three potential starters for the August 24th opener against Florida will be in the same position they were in in 2018.
Inexperience, plus the new offense provides Enos with a big challenge over the next five months. Improving the offense, particularly the QB play and the offensive line are critical for the Hurricanes success in 2019. It’s akin to a real Hurricane needing and thriving off the warm water of the Carribean to grow.
Martell elaborated on what he expects from the Miami Hurricanes offense. He states it won’t be easy to get all 11 players performing as he said:
“exactly what they need to do.”
Martell continued with Chirinos.
"“[That’s] not easy, especially in this offense…It’s an NFL system, it’s a West Coast passing system, under center, shotgun. You have it all in this system. … You can pull up clips of pretty much any NFL system and you’ll see a lot of it that’s in this system.”"
Enos is having to teach his QBs the basics. The proper drop, mechanics and where the QBs are supposed to make their reads and progressions. Enos and his offensive staff only have 15 days this spring to work with the players. The rest of the progression in learning Enos’ offense is up to the players. Enos elaborated with Chirinos.
"“From a fundamental technique standpoint, we have a long way to go on just taking a proper drop, the mechanics, where our eyes and feet go. We’re making strides, but it’s been a slow process, as you would expect. We’ve only had four practices.We don’t get to work with them on the off-days as far as their technique and fundamentals. Certainly, we’ll continue to make strides this spring. But where I think the biggest development work will occur will be from April 20 until we report in July, if that makes sense.”"
There is a lot of excitement from the Miami Hurricanes fanbase about bringing the offense into the 21st century. Patience is needed though. It might not come in the first year. Mistakes will be expected as the offense evolves and the players grow with it. There is a lot to learn for the Hurricanes offensive players.
A primary aspect of Enos’ offense that will be fundamentally different from the past three years is that he will use motion and shifting. That’s a lot for the players to know exactly what to do and where to be. With Florida in the season opener, the Hurricanes will get tested early. Miami gets a bye the following week to work out kinks.