Defensive backs coach Travaris Robinson is leaving the Miami football program after one season according to multiple reports. Robinson will reportedly be named the cornerbacks coach at Alabama. The Miami football program loses a strong talent developer and recruiter with Robinson moving to Tuscaloosa.
In his one season overseeing the Miami defensive backs, freshmen safeties Kamron Kinchens, Avantae Williams and James Williams and cornerback Marcus Clarke were all impactful in their first seasons playing college football. Former Georgia transfer Tyrique Stevenson developed into Miami’s best CB under Robinson.
As a recruiter, Robinson helped Miami sign CBs, four-star Chris Graves and three-star Jaden Harris. Robinson also played a role in Miami signing four-stars, defensive end Nyjalik Kelly and safety Markeith Williams. Prior to coming to Miami, Robinson was the defensive coordinator for four years at South Carolina.
Robinson has helped sign 26 four and five-star players throughout his career. At Alabama, Robinson will replace CBs coach Jay Valai who accepted the same position at Oklahoma. Robinson is a Miami native who played in high school at Coral Park. Robinson will join the staff of Alabama as an Auburn alum.
SOURCES: Miami DB coach Travaris Robinson is expected to take a job on the Alabama staff, sources tell me and @aaronsuttles. The former Auburn standout defensive back has been a DC at South Carolina and also coached DBs at UF and his alma mater.
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) January 20, 2022
The Miami defense struggled often in 2021. Miami finished 84th nationally allowing 28.4 points per game. Overseeing the Miami secondary, Robinson’s unit contributed to the Hurricanes allowing 250.6 passing yards per game to finish 102nd nationally. Miami was also 114th with 3.08 passes defended per game.
The Hurricanes were 113th nationally with just 29 pass breakups. Robinson leaving for Alabama creates openings on nearly the entire Miami defensive staff. Cornerbacks Demarcus Van Dyke could potentially return for Miami. In addition to secondary coach, Miami has openings at defensive coordinator and linebacker.
Defensive line coach Joe Salave’a who was hired from Oregon where he worked under new Miami head coach Mario Cristobal is the only definite defensive staff member for Miami in 2022. Cristobal has taken a methodical approach to hire his new staff. No candidates have emerged publically to replace Robinson.