Miami football could be one of many Power 5 programs looking for new head coach

The Miami football team would face competition from multiple Power Five programs that have already made head coaching changes this season. Several other major programs could be making coaching changes at the end of the season. LSU, USC and Washington State have already made or announced coaching changes for 2022.

LSU announced after the Tigers victory over Florida last week that head coach Ed Orgeron will finish out the 2021 season but not return in 2022. USC fired head coach Clay Helton after the Trojans lost 42-28 to Stanford in the second week of the season. The Trojans won 30-7 over San Jose State to begin 2021.

Washington State fired head coach Nick Rolovich and four assistant coaches after they refused to take the COVID vaccine. All state of Washington employees are required to take the vaccine. USC won 45-14 at Washington State in their first game under interim head coach Donte Williams.

Jake Dickert is the Washington State interim head coach. BYU defeated Washington State 21-19 on Saturday afternoon. Nebraska will be another program to watch who could make a change. Former Cornhuskers national championship-winning quarterback Scott Frost is 15–25 overall, 10–21 in the Big 10 in his fourth season.

Manny Diaz comparatively is 16–14 overall and 11–8 is in the ACC in his third season. USC, Miami and Nebraska all having open positions would create a lot of interest nationally and competition for the Miami football program hiring a new head coach. Miami, Nebraska and USC have a combined 27 national championships.

High-profile coaching candidates currently being considered by USC would also be thought of at Miami and potentially Nebraska. Miami and USC have the advantage over Nebraska of being in two of the best areas to recruit nationally. The Hurricanes and Trojans have both seen elite players leave their areas to play elsewhere.

The biggest name that has been mentioned is former Miami offensive lineman and current Oregon head coach Mario Cristobal. The buyout for Cristobal makes it unlikely he leaves Oregon. That was exactly the point by the Ducks when the buyout was put in his contract. Cristobal is 30–11 overall and 18–8 in the Pac 12 at Oregon.

How the Miami football team finishes the 2021 season will determine the fate of Diaz. The Hurricanes were headed in the right direction after an 8-3 2020 season. Hit by injuries and failing to close games late, Miami has struggled to 2-4 in 2021 entering their game Saturday night against North Carolina State.

Diaz has inserted young players into the starting lineup and rotation at various positions in an attempt to turn the season around. After playing at Pittsburgh Miami plays four games in November they will likely be favored to win. Miami might need to run the table in November to save Diaz’s job.