Manny Diaz says Miami football will be ready for training camp

The reality that the football season may not start on time is not lost on Miami football head coach Manny Diaz. In an appearance on the Joe Rose Show on Monday, Diaz stated that the Hurricanes will be ready for the season whatever the circumstances are.

There has been a lot of speculation about how much training camp college football teams will need to get ready for the 2020 season. With when and if college football will start their season getting their teams ready is on the minds of many coaches. Miami football coach Manny Diaz said his team will adapt and be ready to play.

Appearing on the Joe Rose Show on Monday morning on WQAM Diaz was asked by the eponymous host how many weeks does the Miami football team need to feel comfortable to get ready. In Rose’s estimation, the Hurricanes need more than one to two weeks to get ready for the 2020 season.

Miami will be ready for 2020 whatever circumstances are. Diaz referred to the 1970s and 1980s era Rose played in when teams would use training camp for the players to get in shape. Players currently workout more fervently during the offseason to get ready to play. Miami also had four spring practices during the first week of March.

Having those practices were critical for a Miami team with graduate transfer quarterback D’Eriq King under the new uptempo, spread offense being run by new offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee. Miami also hired new offensive line coach Garin Justice and new wide receivers coach Rob Likens.

"“Need and want are two different things. Obviously on a normal calendar year we’re going to report to training camp in early August. [That’s] the thing that’s hard to answer about that question and I’ve seen people take swings at it. I get a little weary when people start talking about July, August, September right now.It’s going to be a little bit dependent on, ‘What social distancing rules are we coming out of? Are we coming out of something that has been a little bit more relaxed so guys can get back into time to work out? Is everyone coming in completely not trained?’Joe, you certainly remember when you played.Everybody showed up for training camp in August and played their way back into shape. Somehow you guys made it. A lot of great players showed up in August after hanging out all summer lifeguarding at the pool.All kinds of things have been done, so obviously there are needs and there are wants and…the main thing is let’s get everybody back healthy let’s kind of get the country back moving again, and if those things happen the football part will solve itself.”"

Miami is expected to begin summer training camp the first week of August. With a global quarantine, everything is on hold at the moment. The majority of the Hurricanes have returned home for the summer will all of the classes being held online. Players have to responsible for focusing on their studies and home workouts.

The Miami football players have become creative in ways to stay in shape to get ready for the season. They do not have the ability to work out in the athletic department weight room with strength and conditioning coach David Feeley. Players are working out within the social distancing guidelines according to Diaz.

"“We have guys lifting duffel bags filled with water bottles. It’s hard to find a weight right now to lift. It’s kind of crazy…They’re highly competitive guys. They’re all alphas. They want to get out and work, work, work and we want them to as well.But they’ve got to do it in a way that’s in line with the social distancing guidelines that we all have to follow.’’"

Diaz has a very good perspective on the current climate of the world. Keeping his players focused on what they can control and the task at hand will help his program be ready if and when training camp begins this summer. Having the players be concerned with themselves and focusing on what they can do to get ready is critical.

The Miami football team needs to be focused and ready for Temple on September 5 if that proves to be the Hurricanes season opener. Miami began the 2019 season 0-2 and were 0-4 when they had a week or more to get ready for a game last season. Adapting to the times will be a key component of the 2020 season.