The 2020 University of Miami football off-season. What a difference a year makes. Last year there was so much excitement and buzz following the unexpected retirement of head coach Mark Richt.
The 2018 35-3 Pinstripe Bowl loss to Wisconsin wasn’t exactly close to what anybody was expecting. It’s hard to imagine that was just over a year ago. But to the joy and pleasure of Miami football fans everywhere an up-and-coming star who was in charge of one of the very best defenses in college football took over as head coach.
With Manny Diaz, the Miami football program hired a coach who is young, energetic and most importantly with deep, deep ties to the city of Miami. The Hurricanes hired a head coach who grew up watching Miami play at the Orange Bowl.
We all know the aftermath of his first season but certainly, we should not judge anybody on what can only be described as a highly disappointing year at best. Yes, Miami suffered multiple and unacceptable losses. Miami blew three games they were favored to win by 14 points which is something of a record in itself.
The Miami football team even lost to FIU which is the first and hopefully last time. Compounding that painful loss is the reunion of the University of Miami returning to the side of the Orange Bowl which was the home of 58 consecutive wins and where Miami played its finest football. This off-season was very different in many ways.
"I love the game of football" - @DeriqKing_
— Miami Hurricanes Football (@CanesFootball) January 25, 2020
Earlier this week, King and @Qr9____ made the decision to come to The U, now we know why. Full interviews and more ➡️ https://t.co/F5NfkXQBdO pic.twitter.com/i4OfntjyZv
The transfer portal post trolling taking place is done. While certainly very highly entertaining last season the play on the field and the hype before the season did not align. If the past is any indication of the future this next season should be quite different. The off-season of cryptic posts and 👀 are all but done.
Social Media hype has been replaced by the Hall of Fame influences of Ed Reed, new offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee, new wide receivers coach Rob Likens, new quarterback D’Eriq King, three former Florida State commits signing with Miami and what seems to be tons of incredibly good news.
For Miami to finish with a top 15 recruiting class after what can only be described as an unsuccessful season is simply astounding and a testament to the incredibly hard work of the Miami football coaching staff. There are great expectations for the 2020 season.
Miami Hurricanes Football
King himself has said he has one year at the University of Miami and wants to make the most of it. The Miami football team has depth at running back, a great core of wide receivers and a monster defense that could have the best pass rush in the country. A lot of my opinions in the past have proven correct.
I went out on a limb and stated that we would not win our bowl game, we could not win without a new kicker, we were going to beat Virginia and we were going to beat FSU. Perhaps it’s me just being lucky? Maybe so but I’m going to drop a new opinion. At some point over the next season, Miami is going to crack into the top 15 and possibly the top 10.
Short of completely shooting themselves in the foot, Miami should finish the 2020 season with nine-plus wins and a trip to the ACC championship game. The main take away this year is less talk and more action. For that reason, there should be nothing but excitement coming up this year for Canes football.
But like so many others who have been burned before what really matters is what happens on the field. To that end, there should be a lot of good things coming during the 2020 Miami football season and beyond.