New strength and conditioning coach David Feeley setting Miami Hurricanes culture

Of all the new hires by New Miami Hurricanes football coach Manny Diaz, no one has made a bigger impact with the new culture than strength and conditioning coach David Feeley.

David Feeley and Manny Diaz’s paths crossed in the 18-day stint Diaz was the head coach at Temple in December. When Diaz was hired to succeed his former boss Mark Richt as the Miami Hurricanes head coach hiring Feeley to replace Gus Felder was one of his first moves. Creating a new culture in the weight room was paramount.

Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald said earlier this week that the positive feedback he was hearing about Feeley was the greatest for a Miami Hurricanes non-coaching staff member in his 30 plus years covering South Florida sports. Diaz has repeatedly stated that “the strength coach sets the culture in your program”

The Miami Hurricanes offensive line did not live up to expectations during the three-years of the Richt tenure. There is plenty of talent on the Miami offensive line. The Hurricanes have several four-star signees on the roster.

Getting stronger in the weight room is critical. Diaz discussed Feeley’s results at a Hurricane Club event in Orlando. The New Miami head coach stated that his players are more dedicated under Feeley and buying into what the staff is preaching to the players.

Diaz stated what the results have brought in the four-plus months working under Feeley.

"“(Players have become) Bigger, strong and bought into what it takes to be a Miami Hurricane.”"

Diaz sensed that the Miami Hurricanes football players were not working as hard as they could have or should have been. He spoke about the lack of effort in the weight room over the past year when Feeley was hired.

"“In creating the atmosphere where they want to go to work and they need to be pushed, it needs to be really, really hard. And there was sort of the notion that maybe we didn’t really work quite the way we needed to work this past year.That was expressed to me and that’s why I say everything matters. There’s never one smoking gun, but there was some things that if the players sense it, then it’s an issue.”"

Feeley preceded new Miami Hurricanes offensive coordinator Dan Enos by a couple of weeks. Enos has been equally impressed by the results the players are showing under Feeley as Diaz has been. The former Alabama quarterback coach elaborated on why Feeley is a significant upgrade over Felder.

"“(Feeley is) on the cutting edge with nutrition, with movements and lifts and different techniques.”"

Jackson also gave Feeley a glowing endorsement. He stated, “In terms of what the program needs, Feeley appears to be a major upgrade over predecessor Gus Felder.”

Prior to coming to Miami, Feeley was the strength and conditioning at Temple for the last two years. Feeley was also the director of football strength and conditioning at Ball State from 2011-15. He is returning to his roots in South Florida where the assistant strength and conditioning coach at FIU from 2008-10.