Miami football staff built for Manny Diaz to delegate as defensive coordinator
The rebuilt defensive staff for the Miami football team was hired by Manny Diaz during the 2021 offseason to be able to delegate as defensive coordinator. Diaz re-claimed play-calling duty on defense from former defensive coordinator Blake Baker last month. Strikers coach Jonathan Patke is the only remaining coach from 2020.
Patke is also the only remaining coach since Diaz was hired as defensive coordinator by Mark Richt in 2016. As the special teams’ coach, Patke is not likely to help with game planning on defense as the recently hired Miami defensive coaches. Diaz hired four new defensive coaches for the 2021 season.
Defensive line coach Jess Simpson returned to Miami last month after two seasons with the Atlanta Falcons. Simpson replaces Todd Stroud who was reassigned within the Miami football program. Simpson was a legendary high school coach in suburban Atlanta before becoming an assistant coach in college and the NFL.
Diaz stated earlier this month when announcing he would be the defensive coordinator his plans to delegate responsibilities on defense. New defensive backs coach Travaris Robinson and linebackers coach Travis Williams both have experience as DC’s and will be able to assist Diaz in game planning.
"“I’m going to be the defensive coordinator and what I’ve done as a defensive coordinator is what I’m going to do…I’ve got some great guys on the staff that I can certainly delegate some things too, but for this to work, I’ve got to be able to go all in.” Courtesy MiamiHurricanes.Com"
Diaz announced the hiring of longtime defensive coach Bob Shoop as an analyst for the Miami football program. Shoop will act as an advanced scout and assist with game planning. Shoop being on the Miami staff will allow the Hurricanes to game plan for opponents a week ahead. Shoop will work on the following week’s opponent.
Robinson was the DC at South Carolina under Will Muschamp. Williams was the Co-DC with Kevin Steele at Auburn the last two seasons. Diaz has purposely built a staff full of former coordinators. Three Miami offensive staffers had experience as coordinators before being hired by Diaz.
Next. Manny Diaz creating Miami football staff full of coordinators. dark
Offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee, offensive line coach Garin Justice and wide receivers coach Rob Likens were all hired during the 2020 offseason. Lashlee had extensive experience as an OC before Miami, Justice was a Division II head coach and the OC at UNLV prior to Miami and Likens was the OC at Arizona State.