Miami Hurricanes LB Coach Travis Williams candidate for UCF DC

There is mutual interest with Miami Hurricanes linebackers coach Travis Williams and Central Florida head coach Gus Malzahn who was hired on Monday, to become the Knights defensive coordinator. Williams spent the last seven years on the Auburn staff under Malzahn including the last two as Co-DC.

Williams was hired earlier this month by Miami head coach Manny Diaz to become the Hurricanes LB coach replacing Blake Baker who left for the same position at Auburn. Central Florida finished 92nd allowing 33.3 points per game and 123rd allowing 491.8 yards per game.

Auburn was 38th in scoring defense in 2020 and 63rd in total defense. The report about Williams’ potentially short tenure in Coral Gables was reported by ESPN College Football analyst Cole Cubelic. There is no information on how much a potential buyout could be if Williams decides to move to Orlando.

Diaz is taking on the added responsibility of DC in 2021. Before Williams was hired, Diaz stripped Baker of his responsibility calling the plays on defense as the DC. Williams and newly hired defensive backs coach Travaris Robinson both have experience as DCs prior to being hired by Miami last month.

Miami returns its entire LB corps in 2021. The Hurricanes underachieved at LB in 2020. Bradley Jennings Jr. led Miami LBs in 2020 with 39 tackles and added 7.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. Zach McCloud returns for his fifth season with Miami. McCloud moved to defensive end in the Cheeze-It bowl loss to Oklahoma State.

With spring practice looming next month no firm decision has been made on where McCloud will play in 2021. A departure by Williams puts Diaz and the Miami Hurricanes football program in a tough spot to hire another quality LB coach this late in the offseason. Williams is one of three Miami assistants who worked for Malzahn.