With all the speculation about the future of head coach Manny Diaz, Miami football legend Ed Reed tweeted a clarification about his role as the Hurricanes chief of staff. The tweet was somewhat cryptic with Reed stating “Just SO WE are clear AT this moment my Title is Chief not coach at this moment.”
Reed finished the tweet by saying “Let’s try this: hello Twitter.” The tweet left a lot of room for interpretation. Reed has made it known publically that he would like to become a defensive coordinator and head coach someday. Miami hired Reed as the chief of staff for their football program in 2020.
The only coaching experience the Pro Football Hall of Fame safety has was as the assistant defensive backs coach for the Buffalo Bills in 2016. Reed was not retained when Sean McDermott replaced Rex Ryan for the 2017 season. The Miami coaching staff has had a lot of turnover in recent offseasons.
Nearly the entire Miami defensive staff was replaced after the 2020 season. Outside linebackers coach and special teams coordinator Jonathan Patke was the only defensive coach retained by Miami after the 2020 season. Patke moved to inside LB coach with new hire Ishmael Aristide replacing Patke as OLB coach.
Just SO WE are clear AT this moment my Title is Chief not coach at this moment. Let’s try this: hello Twitter
— Ed Reed (@TwentyER) October 12, 2021
Also hired by Miami were defensive line coach Jess Simpson who returned after two seasons with the Atlanta Falcons and defensive backs coach Travaris Robinson. DeMarcus Van Dyke was elevated from the recruiting staff to cornerbacks coach. Robinson works primarily with safeties.
If head coach Manny Diaz and his staff are not retained after the season the likelihood is that the decision on retaining Reed and any role he would have with the Miami football program going forward would be up to the new head coach. Reed seems to be leaving himself open for any future opportunities.
Reed was hired by head coach Manny Diaz primarily to help set the culture for the Miami football program and in recruiting. Miami seemed to have turned the corner after an 8-3 2020 season. The Hurricanes have regressed with a 2-3 start in 2021. As it has been for 15 years, Miami seems to take one step forward, two steps back.