Miami football makes Rhett Lashlee hire official quicker than expected

In a press release to Hurricane Sports, the official Miami athletic department website the hire of Rhett Lashlee as the new offensive coordinator for the Miami football team was made official quicker than expected.

Manny Diaz acted quickly in identifying who he wanted to replace Dan Enos as the offensive coordinator for the Miami football program and hired Rhett Lashlee as his replacement. The entire process from Enos being hired and Diaz bringing in Lashlee from SMU as the offensive coordinator took eight days.

Lashlee brings a modern offense to Miami. The Hurricanes are expected to run an up-tempo, spread oriented, offense under Lashlee. Lashlee’s system is a sharp departure from the pro-style offense that Miami fan the last four seasons under Mark Richt and Enos. Diaz has been praised nationally for the hire.

SMU finished the 2019 season 10-3. The Mustangs had the nation’s seventh-ranked scoring offense at 41.8 points per game and the ninth-ranked total offense at total offense 489.8 YPG. Lashlee joining the coaching staff for the Miami football team gives everyone on offense a fresh start.

Expect Diaz and Lashlee to examine the portal the same way that the Miami football program did in 2019. K.J. Osborn joined the Hurricanes from Buffalo a year ago and led Miami in receptions, receiving and receiving touchdowns. Three SMU players were named to the American Athletic Conference first-team offense.

James Proche led the AAC with 111 receptions and 15 TDs and was third in the conference with 1,225 yards. Proche ended his SMU career with 301 receptions. That broke the school record set by long-time NFL WR Emmanuel Sanders who had 285 between 2006-09. Bills WR Cole Beasley is third in SMU history with 255 receptions.

Former Texas QB Shane Buechele had the best season of his collegiate career as a graduate transfer for the Mustangs this season. Buechele was named the co-first team All-AAC QB for his efforts. Buechele led the AAC in pass completions, attempts, yards per game and TD passes.

The son of former Major League third baseman Steve Buechele was second in the AAC in completion percentage and yards per completion. Running back Xavier Jones was the third Mustangs player named All-AAC. Jones finished third in the AAC with 1,276 yards and 23 rushings TDs to break Eric Dickerson’s SMU record.

Jones also caught 20 passes for 90 yards and another two TDs. Lashlee’s offense has a lot of plays for multiple players to contribute. Ke’Mon Freeman ran for 517 yards and two TDs as the backup to Jones. Reggie Roberson and Kylen Granson each had over 700 yards receiving and combined for 15 TDs.

WIth Lashlee arriving in Coral Gables, a new era on offense will commence in September. The hire of Lashlee will make or break the Diaz era for the Miami football program. It has been said before, but this is one of the most critical offseasons in Hurricanes’ history. Diaz’s job could depend on Lashlee improving the offense.