Manny Diaz 2020 off-season changes have all worked

The offseason changes made to the Miami football program by head coach Manny Diaz have all worked in 2020.

After a 6-7 record in his debut season, Manny Diaz made widespread changes in the Miami football program. Diaz realized the Hurricanes offense was not working. With the need for Miami to have a more modern offense, Diaz replaced over half the Hurricanes offensive coaching staff.

Rhett Lashlee was hired from Southern Methodist to replace offensive coordinator Dan Enos. Offensive line coach Garin Justice came from UNLV to replace Butch Barry. After wide receivers coach Taylor Stubblefield left for the same position at Penn State, Diaz hired Rob Likens from Arizona State to replace Stubblefield.

Lashlee has overseen a Miami offense that has transformed in 2020. The Miami offense has improved across the board this season. Miami is up in scoring offense, total offense, rushing and passing. The Hurricanes improved from 90th to 36th in scoring offense, going from 25.7 points per game in 2019 to 33.3 PPG in 2020.

Miami finished 98th in total offense in 2019 averaging 367.2 yards per game. The Hurricanes are 40th in total offense in 2020 averaging 436 yards per game. Miami improved from 120th and 118.0 rushing yards per game in 2019 to 63rd and 167.13 RuYPG in 2020. The Miami passing game has made a similar leap.

Miami was 52nd in passing nationally in 2019 averaging 249.2 YPG. The Hurricanes have moved up to 38th averaging 268.9 passing yards per game. The Lashlee offense that utilizes an up-tempo has been a big reason for the uptick in the numbers on offense. Miami average 64.92 plays on offense in 2019, 74.75 in 2020.

Diaz also sought out the transfer portal for the second straight offseason to upgrade the roster. Those changes have all paid off. Diaz had mixed success with players in the transfer portal in 2019. In 2020 all of the players added through the transfer portal who are eligible have had an impact for Miami in 2020.

Quarterback D’Eriq King, offensive tackle Jarrid Williams, defensive end Quincy Roche and kicker Jose Borregales have all been key players for Miami in 2020. King has been responsible for 71.8 percent of the Miami offense in 2020. Roche leads Miami with 11 tackles for loss and has added 37 tackles and 2.5 sacks.

Williams has solidified the right side of a Miami offensive line that was a sieve in 2019. The leadership Williams brought from Houston with King has been a key component for the Miami offense in 2020. Miami went from allowing 3.92 sacks in 2019 to 3.13 sacks per game in 2020.

Miami has improved from 3.77 rushing yards per carry in 2019 to 4.14 in 2020. Manny Diaz has repeatedly said that Borregales has given the Miami offense more confidence. The kicking problems for Miami in 2019 have been well documented. Borregales has made all 28 extra points and 15 of 16 field-goal attempts.