Oregon interim head coach Bryan McClendon discusses rumors he’s joining Miami Hurricanes staff
Oregon interim head coach Bryan McClendon discussed rumors he will join the Miami Hurricanes staff following the Ducks Alamo Bowl game against Oklahoma on December 29. McClendon became the Interim head coach for Oregon earlier this month following the departure of head coach Mario Cristobal to Miami.
McClendon played for former Miami Hurricanes head coach Mark Richt at Georgia. Following the 2015 season, McClendon was the interim head coach for Georgia in the 2016 Tax Slayer bowl. The Bulldogs defeated Penn State 24-17. McClendon has been the passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach for Oregon from 2020-2021.
After leaving Georgia, McClendon was the co-offensive coordinator and WRs coach at South Carolina in 2016-2017. McClendon ascended to the sole OC and WRs coach with the Gamecocks in 2018-2019. McClendon worked with current Miami interim defensive coordinator Travaris Robinson for all four seasons at South Carolina.
McClendon was an elite recruiter at Georgia. The Bulldogs signed at least four future NFL RBs who were credited to McClendon during his nine seasons on the Georgia staff. With 13 years of experience at Georgia and South Carolina and having played high school football in Atlanta, McClendon would be a good addition to Miami.
"“I’ll say this, I don’t know how much of what’s out there is actually true, to be honest with you,” he said to begin a 90-second answer to a question about his future in Eugene. “The thing that is frustrating though is that I haven’t even thought about it as much as some of the other people have.My focus has been on these guys. I feel like anything that is out there right now it did not come from me. I won’t sit up here and say one way or the other, but it did not come from me…I still don’t know how that happened, I think everything did get rectified…It’s not right for those guys for my thoughts to be at other places. So I haven’t done it. My focus is on the guys right now… I do look forward to being able to make those decisions, it would just be a hard decision to make right now while my focus is solely on these guys and making sure these guys have a positive influence.I don’t want to cheat them. There will be a time to make…that decision, but right now is not it. My focus has been on these guys, because that’s what they deserve…I’ll need some time to step away from this to be able to do that.”"
The speculation about McClendon will continue for at least the next nine days. Rob Likens has done a great job developing WRs for Miami in his two seasons. With Rhett Lashlee hired as the head coach at SMU, Likens will be the offensive coordinator and play calling for the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl versus Washington State.
Cristobal has not named a staff yet for Miami. With Early National Signing Day last week, Cristobal and the current Miami staff were focused on recruiting. Oregon hired Georgia DC Dan Lanning as their next head coach. Speculation has been that McClendon has the option to remain with the Ducks.
If McClendon decides to join the Miami staff, he will have the opportunity to work with a deep and talented returning WR corps for the Hurricanes. Miami loses leader 2021 leading receiver Charleston Rambo and all-time leader Mike Harley. Keyshawn Smith started most of the season and was a key contributor.
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Xavier Restrepo who backed up Harley is in line for a bigger role with Smith in 2022. Miami also returns the three amigos of 2021 signees Romello Brinson, Jacolby George and Brashard Smith. McClendon would be an excellent addition to the Miami Hurricanes staff. Cristobal has a lot of work to do to fill out his staff.