Prior to the arrival of Rhett Lashlee as offensive coordinator in January 2020, the Miami Hurricanes offense had an anemic 2019 season. Miami was 90th averaging 25.7 points per game and 98th averaging 367.2 yards per game. The Hurricanes improved significantly in the two seasons with Lashlee as OC.
Lashlee is expected to be named the new head coach at SMU in the next couple of days. Lashlee was the OC with the Mustangs prior to being hired by Manny Diaz for the same position with Miami. Lashlee leaves behind a Miami Hurricanes offense he significantly modernized and upgraded in two seasons.
Miami finished the 2020 season ranked 26th in scoring averaging 34.0 points per game, improved to 34.1 PPG and stayed 26th in 2021. The Hurricanes finished 32nd averaging 439.8 yards per game in 2020. Miami improved to 22nd and 448.8 yards per game in 2021. Lashlee has left a legacy for the Miami offense.
Players that Lashlee recruited and developed leave what should continue to be a potent offense for his successor. Miami loses wide receiver Mike Harley and wideout Charleston Rambo will probably leave early for the NFL. The remainder of the Miami offensive skill position players returns in 2022.
Tyler Van Dyke said he'd be happy for Rhett Lashlee if he got the opportunity to be a head coach. Says he learned a lot from him. Also says he's excited about the future at UM with the players coming back.
— Manny Navarro (@Manny_Navarro) November 27, 2021
Lashlee continued to show at Miami the ability to adapt his offense to the players on the roster. Miami started prototype dual-threat QB D’Eriq King in 2020 and more traditional pro-style passer Tyler Van Dyke in 2021. King and Van Dyke had record-setting seasons in the Lashlee offense the last two seasons.
King completed 64.1 percent of his passes for 2,686 yards, 23 touchdowns and five interceptions with 538 rushing yards and four TDs. When King suffered a season-ending injury against Michigan State in week three, he became an important mentor to Van Dyke. Van Dyke will likely earn ACC Rookie of the Year.
Taking over as the starter from King, Van Dyke has completed 62.3 percent of his passes for 2,931 yards, 25 TDs and six interceptions with 57 yards rushing and one TD. Van Dyke is four TD passes away from the Miami single-season record set by Steve Walsh in 1988. A chance to tie the record will come in Miami’s bowl game.
Lashlee has helped significantly improve the QBs on the Miami Hurricanes football roster. Van Dyke signed with Miami before Lashlee was hired but has developed quickly this season under his tutelage. King transferred to Miami after Lashlee was hired. Lashlee is also credited with Miami adding QBs in the 2021 and 2022 classes.
Miami signed Jake Garcia who was the eighth-ranked QB in 2021. The Hurricanes have a commitment from the 22nd ranked QB, Jacurri Brown for 2022. With Van Dyke, Garcia and Brown projected to be on the Miami roster for 2022, Lashlee has left the Miami offense in a far better place than it was when he arrived in Coral Gables.