Miami Hurricanes OC Rhett Lashlee named 5th best head coaching candidate

With the Miami Hurricanes offense playing at a high level the last four weeks, offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee is being mentioned for head coaching openings again. Lashlee has transformed the Miami offense in his two seasons as coordinator. The Hurricanes have had to adapt offensively due to injuries.

D’Eriq King led the Miami Hurricanes in 2020 as an athletic QB who was as much of a threat to beat teams passing and running. King suffered a season-ending shoulder injury against Michigan State in September. Second-year freshman Tyler Van Dyke earned the starting job to replace King.

Van Dyke is not the athlete that King is, but provides the Hurricanes with a stronger arm. Once settled in and Lashlee became more confident in Van Dyke, the Miami Hurricanes offense has become explosive. Van Dyke is tied for second nationally with eight completions of 50 yards or more.

Wide receiver Charleston Rambo is in the top 20 nationally in receiving and become one of the most explosive pass catchers. Injuries at RB have Jaylan Knighton handling nearly the entire load for Miami in the backfield. Knighton has over 160 total yards in three of the last four games and has seven TDs in that same time span.

"5. RHETT LASHLEE, MIAMI OFFENSIVE COORDINATORRhett Lashlee revitalized Miami’s offense in 2020 and has been the key to the Hurricanes’ second-half turnaround in 2021 that has led to a pair of victories against nationally-ranked opponents.Lashlee has long been an up-and-coming coordinator, leading offenses at Auburn, UConn and SMU before Miami coach Manny Diaz, with an offense that failed to score against Louisiana Tech in 2019, scouring the country for an immediate elixir to his problems in early 2020.Lashlee took the job and the offense went from 90th nationally to 26th in scoring. Diaz, still on the hot seat, might lose his job in December but will that sink his assistants? That’s not the word from our committee.“[Lashlee] has made every place he’s been better and he’s been at very different places,” one Power Five assistant coach said. “He may have saved this guy’s job at Miami.”Miami is averaging 34.4 points per game against ACC opponents while the offense battled injuries, including at quarterback, where D’Eriq King was lost for the season in October amid a losing skid. Lashlee turned to redshirt freshman Tyler Van Dyke, who has thrown 10 touchdowns against one interception during a three-game winning streak.“The kids and coaches believe in him,” another assistant coach said. “He’s got the qualities of a great leader.”"

Brandon Marcello of 247 Sports summarized Lashlee after he finished fifth in the article “Poll: College coaches vote on the assistants ready for the next step.” Lashlee has shown he has the ability to adapt to injuries during the season and fit his offense to the strengths of his players.

With three straight wins, Miami has turned their season around following a 2-4 start. The offense has led the way. Lashlee could be elsewhere after the 2021 season, or if Miami parts with head coach Manny Diaz, Lashlee would likely be considered as a potential replacement. Miami has to close strong offensively.

The Hurricanes finish the season at Florida State on Saturday, versus Virginia Tech on Senior Day at Hard Rock Stadium on November 20 and at Duke on November 30. Florida State is 69th in total defense, Virginia Tech 61st and Duke 127th. Miami combined for 100 points last season Duke and FSU. Miami defeated Va Tech 25-24.