Conflicting reports Miami football offered Arkansas OC Kendal Briles

There are conflicting reports from Brett McMurphy of The Action Network and Mike Ryan Ruiz of the Dan Lebtard show that the Miami football program has offered Arkansas offensive coordinator Kendal Briles the same positions with the Hurricanes. Miami has also reportedly offered Toledo head coach Jason Candle.

McMurphy is a polarizing reporter related to the Miami football program. Miami was criticized by McMurphy and reported that there was conflict within the Hurricanes athletic department regarding the hiring of new head football coach Mario Cristobal and athletic director Dan Radakovich.

There have been a plethora of reports reacting to the Tweet by McMurphy that Briles has been offered the job to become the Miami offensive coordinator. Other speculation is that Briles’ agent could be using potential leverage with an offer from Miami to increase his salary at Arkansas. Briles is in his second season with Arkansas.

Briles has moved around frequently in the last six seasons. After serving as the offensive coordinator at Baylor in 2015-2016, Briles moved on to Florida Atlantic in 2017. Briles was the offensive coordinator at Houston in 2018, Florida State in 2019 before moving on to Arkansas where he has been since the 2020 season.

Mike Ryan Ruiz disputes the report by McMurphy that Miami offered Briles the offensive coordinator position. Cristobal has kept his interviews and hires quiet since becoming head coach last month. All three coordinator positions, tight ends, linebackers and the defensive back coaches all remain open with Miami.

Briles was a finalist for the Broyles Award in 2015 as the best college football assistant as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Baylor. Briles has a troubling past on the staff of a scandal-ridden Baylor football program under his father former Bears head coach Art.

Briles is considered one of the brightest offensive minds in college football. Arkansas averaged 30.9 points per game which was 48th nationally in 2021. The Razorbacks averaged 441.7 yards per game which were 28th nationally. Arkansas was seventh averaging 227.77 rushing yards per game.

Miami had a prolific pass offense in 2021 averaging 321.2 yards per game. The Hurricanes averaged only 128.8 rushing yards per game in 2021. Briles would likely be able to upgrade the Miami rushing offense in 2021. Briles and recently hired Miami running backs coach Kevin Smith worked together at Florida Atlantic.

Cristobal continues to be deliberate about hiring his staff. While reporters speculate on who Cristobal will hire to the Miami football staff, the Hurricanes continue to remain relatively quiet about new hires. The current staff continues to recruit for Miami with just over two weeks remaining until National Signing Day.