Prior to its 69-0 victory over Central Connecticut State, the Miami football team was blown out by Alabama and Michigan State and defeated Appalachian State 25-23 in a game they were favored to win by more than a touchdown by Wynn Bet. ESPN College Game criticized the University of Miami’s commitment to football.
ESPN College Football Gameday analysts Desmond Howard and Kirk Herbstreit and stats guru Chris Fallica who is a Miami alum discussed the problems that Florida State and the Hurricanes have had. Herbstreit stated he believes that the problems date back to the end of the Larry Coker era.
Coker started 53-9 in his first four seasons before going 7-6 and getting fired after the 2006 season. Herbstreit mentioned that since Coker was fired Miami has averaged 7-5 in the 14 seasons since then. Herbstreit referenced the column by Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald earlier this week.
Jackson spoke to trustees, a former coach, a former Miami football player and a scout about the current state of the Hurricanes. The two trustees who spoke to Jackson expect head coach Manny Diaz to coach through the remainder of the season barring more blowout losses. Herbstreit wants more accountability.
"“Go all the way back to 2006…It was the last year that Larry Coker was the coach there. That’s 15 years. Miami has averaged 7-5 since 2006. They’ve had five head coaches. Just think about with the Orange Bowl gone, the student body has to drive 45 minutes to go to their games.You have an athletic department that clearly is not really showing that this is something that they are willing to try to make changes…There was an article from Barry Jackson this week that said the president basically told Blake James, the AD, ‘Hey, Sports? You’re on your own. That’s you’re thing.I don’t know if that’s true. It was in an article…To me, college football, you look at the powerhouse programs: Alabama, Clemson, Ohio State, president, AD, head coach, same vision. They’re aligned in their vision for what needs to happen. Recruiting, budget, staff, whatever a team needs. That’s what it takes.Miami doesn’t have that…So I don’t think it matters who the head coach is. Until you get a president and an AD and a coach together on the same page, I guess football doesn’t matter. It matters to the alums, to the brotherhood of the U. But I don’t know if it matters to the people making the decisions at Miami.And if they don’t change that, it doesn’t matter who’s the head coach…"
Herbstreit also questioned the Miami fanbase after he felt Florida State had a raucous crowd in their season-opening loss at home to Notre Dame. Last season was obviously lost for all of college football with limited capacities. Miami lost the Florida State game at Hard Rock Stadium which always brings passion.
"“Go back to just the Notre Dame game from a couple of weeks ago. That was passion. That stadium, I haven’t seen a Miami crowd like that in a long time."
"Since 2006, U of Miami has averaged 7-5. With the Orange Bowl gone, the student body has to drive 45 minutes to watch games (!)...President, Athletic Director, and Head Coach have to have the same vision." - Kirk Herbstreit
— Huskers Gameday (@HuskersGameday) September 25, 2021
The majority of the Miami fanbase wants new people in the major roles. President Julio Frenk, athletic director Blake James and Diaz should all be replaced according to the consensus of Hurricanes fans. Fallica believes that the problems with the Miami football program are deep than their won-lost record.
"“There’s something going on within the entire athletic that isn’t right. But there’s something going on deeper than just won-lost record on the field."
Following an 8-3 2020 season and predicted to finish second in the ACC Coastal behind North Carolina, there were high expectations for the Miami football team in 2021. After winning two of their four non-conference games, Miami begins ACC play at home against Virginia on Thursday night on ESPN.
Virginia is 2-2 with losses the last two weeks to North Carolina and Virginia. Miami can quiet all the talk about what is wrong with the program, their crowds not being as passionate as Florida State and not having an aligned administration if they can compete for an ACC Coastal Division title in 2021.
North Carolina also has two ACC losses before September ends. Miami has a bye week after Virginia before they play at North Carolina on October 16. The game against the Tar Heels was originally thought to be the defacto ACC Coastal Championship Game. Now Miami and UNC will play a defacto elimination game.