Bubba Bolden likes Manny Diaz calling plays and picking Ed Reed’s brain
Safety Bubba Bolden told Joe Zagacki on Hurricane Hotline on WQAM this week that he likes head coach Manny Diaz taking over play-calling on defense for the 2021 season and being able to pick the brain of Chief of Staff Ed Reed. Bolden is returning for his third season in the Miami football program in 2021.
Bolden led Miami with 74 tackles, had 6.5 tackles for loss, one sack and three pass breakups in 2020. One of the leaders of a defense that returns nine starters, Bolden has the potential for at least an All-ACC season in 2021 and potentially challenge to be an All-American. Bolden discussed the state of the Miami football program.
Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald transcribed the interview of Bolden by Zagacki. Bolden calls Diaz a genius when it comes to defense and likes the additions of new defensive line coach Jess Simpson, linebackers coach Travis Williams, defensive backs coach Travaris Robinson and defensive analyst for the 2021 season.
Miami also promoted DeMarcus Van Dyke to cornerbacks coach. Strikers coach Jonathan Patke is the only remaining defensive coach for Miami from the 2020 season. Robinson and Williams bring coordinator experience to Miami to add to three coaches on the offensive staff who were coordinators before joining the Hurricanes.
"“I feel like this is the best thing for our team…We have so many good players on our team. Coach Diaz is a genius when it comes to defense. Him getting all these new coaches [Travaris Robinson, Jess Simpson, Travis Williams and defensive analyst Bob Shoop].All those guys come together, feeding into coach Diaz and him feeding into them is all setting us up for success….You can always pick his (Reed) brain and what he sees. We have so much experience as coaches and players. We have a lot of older guys. We have some new young stars coming in.We’re trying to bring that old Miami back. I’m looking forward to this new coaching staff.”"
Shoop has extensive experience as a defensive coordinator and head coach. Bubba Bolden should be in for a big season for Miami. In 2020, Bolden became the fourth safety in five seasons in lead Miami in tackles since Diaz became the Hurricanes defensive coordinator in 2016 and then head coach in 2019.
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The Miami defense is set to build around the play of its safeties. Having Reed on the Hurricanes staff should help Bolden to continue to develop. Returning nine starters on defense, Miami will have its most experienced roster in recent memory. Bolden is open to learning from the Miami coaches and poised for a big 2021 season.