How quarterbacks have performed under Frank Ponce
New Miami Hurricanes quarterbacks coach Frank Ponce has become one of the most respected mentors of signal-callers over the past nine seasons. The hiring of Ponce continues head coach Mario Cristobal recruiting elite coaches to Coral Gables. Ponce will tutor 2021 ACC Rookie of the Year Tyler Van Dyke with Miami.
Frank Ponce began his collegiate coaching career as the wide receivers coach at Florida International under Cristobal from 2007 through 2012. When former FIU offensive coordinator Scott Satterfield became the head coach at Appalachian State in 2013 he hired Ponce as Co-OC and QB coach. That was their last season in FCS.
The Mountainers finished 4-8 in their last season playing FCS. Kameron Bryant and Jamal Londry-Jackson split time at QB for Appalachian State. Bryant started eight games and Londry-Bryant four. Bryant completed 71.2 percent of his passes for 2,713 yards, 14 touchdowns and four interceptions.
Londry-Bryant completed 65.1 percent for 548 yards, two TDs and two interceptions. Bryant added 158 rushing yards and three TDs. Following a disappointing season, Appalachian State returned to major college football for the first time in 33 years in 2014. Bryant was replaced as the starter by Taylor Lamb in 2014.
FYI, Frank Ponce will be QB coach and passing game coordinator.
— Manny Navarro (@Manny_Navarro) February 10, 2022
Lamb started the final 10 games of the 2014 season. Appalachian State averaged 35.7 points per game which was 26th nationally in 2014. Lamb completed 61.4 percent of his passes for 2,381 yards, 17 TDs, nine interceptions and ran for 483 yards and four TDs. Lamb earned 2014 Sun Belt Freshman of the Year.
Lamb became a star and four-year starter under Ponce. In four seasons Lamb set the program records for passing yards, passing touchdowns and rushing yardage and TDs by a QB. Miami held Lamb to 10-21 for 115 yards, one TD and one interception in a 45-10 victory at Appalachian State in 2016.
Zac Thomas replaced Lamb as the Appalachian State QB in 2018. Thomas completed 62.6 percent of his passes for 2,039 passing yards and ran for 504 yards and 10 TDs. When Satterfield was hired as the head coach at Louisville in 2019, Ponce went with him as the QB coach.
After playing in 10 games as a freshman, Malik Cunningham improved significantly in his second season with Ponce as the QB coach. Cunningham completed 62.4 percent of his passes for 2,061 yards, 22 TDs and six interceptions with 482 rushing yards and six TDs. Cunningham had another productive season in 2020.
Cunningham completed 64.1 percent of his passes for 2,617 passing yards, 20 TDs, 12 interceptions with 609 yards and seven TDs. Following the 2020 season, Ponce returned to Appalachian State with a chance to calls plays. In 2021, Ponce mentored former Clemson and Duke QB Chase Brice.
Brice completed 62.1 percent of his passes for 3,337 yards, 27 TDs, 11 interceptions with 149 yards rushing and 11 TDs. In a 25-23 loss to Miami, Brice was 21 out of 34 for 199 yards, one TD, one interception and four carries for seven yards. Ponce has proven the ability to get the best out of his QBs.
Next. Miami hiring Appalachian State OC Frank Ponce as QB coach. dark
Cristobal has done an exceptional job hiring his staff, particularly in the past week. New offensive coordinator Josh Gattis and Ponce will provide the Miami offense with a new perspective. Ponce has an excellent QB room to work with. Jake Garcia and Jacurri Brown have bright futures behind Van Dyke on the depth chart.