Miami football releases concise statement announcing Josh Gattis firing

The Miami football program released a statement on Friday stating that Josh Gattis has been “has been relieved of his duties as offensive coordinator.’’ Gattis came to Miami as the Frank Broyles’ Award winner of the best assistant coach in college football at Michigan following the 2021 season.

Gattis received the award after Michigan significantly improved offensively in 2021 and earned its first berth in the College Football Playoff. The Miami offense was never able to reach the level of success Michigan had in 2021. Miami significantly regressed offensively in 2022 after the departure of former OC Rhett Lashlee.

The Hurricanes averaged 23.6 points per game in 2022 which was 97th nationally in 2022. Miami averaged 367.1 total yards per game, 239.0 yards passing and 128.1 rushing in 2022. Those numbers were even worse against FBS teams. Miami was 113th nationally averaging 19.4 PPG versus FBS opponents.

Factors out of Gattis’ control contributed but were not the sole reason for the poor performance of the 2022 Miami offense. The passing game struggled significantly early in the season. When Tyler Van Dyke finally began being productive he suffered a shoulder injury versus Duke that hindered him for the rest of the season.

The Miami offensive line had a lot of attrition throughout the 2022 season. Left tackle Zion Nelson never played in 2022 due to an injury. Left guard Jalen Rivers started in only six games due to injuries. Cristobal hired Gattis to run a power spread. Miami received criticism for not having the personnel for a power spread.

The Hurricanes significantly upgraded the OL ahead of the 2023 season. Guard Javion Cohen from Alabama and center Matthew Lee from Central Florida are expected to help Miami have a more authoritative and physical OL to allow Cristobal and the new OC to run the power spread. Miami still needs to add transfer wide receivers.

In December Cristobal stated the need for the Miami football program to add transfer defensive tackles and outside receivers. Former Oregon tight end Cameron McCormick is the only other transfer Miami has added on offense. Gattis had not met with any potential transfers interested in Miami during their visits.

Miami can now move to replace Gattis and share the vision of what the offense will look like in the future when a new coordinator is hired. The Hurricanes will need a new quarterback and WRs coach. Former Miami QB coach Frank Ponce left for the same position and OC at Appalachian State where was previously employed.

Gattis held the position of WRs coach in addition to OC. College football programs more traditionally have the OC hold the dual position of QBs coach. The Miami football programseems likely to move in that direction as they search to hire those positions. Expect the new hires to be made before spring practice begins in March.