The Miami football program is simulating the humidity at the Soffer Indoor Practice Facility per Susan Miller Degnan of the Miami Herald. The increase of humidity while the Hurricanes continue to practice indoors was by design per Hurricanes Head Coach Manny Diaz.
The Miami football players have been working hard on their conditioning during the offseason and in spring practice under new strength and conditioning coach David Feeley. Feeley replaced Gus Felder who was the strength and conditioning coach under Mark Richt. Feeley has set a different tone in his two months.
Using the humidity machine is another step as Diaz is reshaping the Hurricanes culture and conditioning. The players had a difficult time adjusting to their first practice/scrimmage outside on Saturday at Columbus High School. Miami is indoors this spring while the Greentree Practice Fields are being resodded.
Feeley comes to Miami after two seasons working with the Temple football program. He has also spent time at Ball State, South Carolina and Florida International. More players have attended voluntary workout this offseason than during Diaz’s three years as defensive coordinator. Diaz discussed the humidity machine on Tuesday.
"“Yeah, we turned on the humidity machine today, but by design — and that’s OK. Because we want to get them to feel a little bit of the, you know, breathe a little less of the AC than what it’s been.They felt it, which is good. This is what we needed. We’ll do this again on Thursday, and that will get them ready for getting outside again on Saturday.’’"
Getting used to the humidity is a huge part of the conditioning as a player on the Miami football team.
Diaz spoke about the players adjusting to the heat
during Saturday’s first scrimmage at Columbus at the conclusion of their first time outdoors this spring.
"You could see, being outside and dealing with the heat for the first time, it took its toll. It takes a toll mentally. All of a sudden you’re playing slower…it probably took us to the second half where it became more competitive.”"
Miami will have only South Florida scrimmage that is open to the media and public this Saturday at Traz Powell Stadium. This will be the first public appearance for transfers, quarterback Tate Martell, wide receiver K.J. Osborn and offensive tackle Tommy Kennedy. The Hurricanes spring game is in Orlando April 20.
Miami doesn’t have its full roster of players this spring. The majority of the Surge ’19 Class and several transfers will arrive this summer. The Hurricanes have also been beset by injuries this spring. The offensive line, secondary and linebacker have been particularly limited by a lack of depth this spring.
Summer training camp will be critical in developing conditioning and depth. The roster has had a huge turnover and getting several of the newer players adjusted to the humidity of South Florida will be vital. That will especially be true on the offensive and defensive lines. The OL and defensive tackles rotations are developing.