Miami Hurricanes defensive line coach Todd Stroud could be re-assigned after stepping down from his current position.
After initially being hired by the Miami Hurricanes football program in an administrative role in 2019, Todd Stroud became the defensive line coach when Jess Simpson left for the Atlanta Falcons. FootballScoop.Com reported on Tuesday that Stroud, in their words, is stepping away from his role on the field.
Stroud has a non-cancerous illness that required chemotherapy a few years ago and could return to an administrative role within the Miami football program. Miami Assistant director of recruiting DeMarcus Van Dyke will reportedly follow former Hurricanes co-defensive coordinator Ephraim Banda to Utah State.
Senior defensive quality control analyst Mike Zuckerman is also expected to join Banda’s defensive staff in Logan as Utah State’s inside linebackers coach. Stroud would seem more likely to be a candidate for Van Dyke’s role, but Miami head coach Manny Diaz could choose to keep Stroud as a general consultant.
Stroud was key in developing several Miami football players in his two seasons as the DL coach. Jaelan Phillips, Greg Rousseau and Quincy Roche are all expected to be taken on the first or second day of the 2021 NFL Draft. Rousseau had a breakout redshirt freshman season with 19.5 tackles for loss and 15.5 sacks in 2019.
If you missed this in past hour, CB coach Mike Rumph leaving UM's staff and DL coach Todd Stroud departing after dealing with health issues (including reported bout with COVID), per footballscoop. com
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) January 5, 2021
Rousseau opted out for the 2020 season. Phillips transferred to Miami in January 2019 and sat out that season before his own breakout year in 2020. Phillips had 45 tackles, 15.5 TFLs and eight sacks. Roche matched Phillips with 45 tackles and added 14.5 TFLs, 4.5 sacks, three fumble recovers and two forced fumbles.
Whoever replaces Stroud will have the difficult task of rebuilding the Miami DL. The Hurricanes lost Phillips and Roche after Rousseau opted out. Miami added Tennessee transfer, DL DeAndre Johnson, on Sunday. The Hurricanes could remain busy in the transfer portal potentially adding another edge rusher.