Miami Hurricanes News: Hoops win at Clemson, Toledo HC rumored for OC

The Miami Hurricanes basketball team earned a huge ACC road win on Saturday at Clemson. Miami led for most of the second half and hung on late for a 78-74 win over Clemson ending their 15-game home-court winning street at Littlejohn Coliseum. The Miami football program could be closer to hiring an offensive coordinator.

Frank Tucker of the Rivals.Com Miami Hurricanes site Canes County reported on Saturday morning that Toledo head coach Jason Candle “is emerging as the top candidate for the open OC position at Miami” Candle recently signed a contract extension with Toledo and turned Miami down last year as OC.

Candle is 54-32 in seven seasons as the head coach at Toledo. Prior to being hired as head coach, Candle was an assistant for seven years with the Rockets. Candle began his coaching career as an assistant for six seasons at his alma mater, Division III Mount Union. Candle is highly regarded as an offensive coach.

Toledo finished 44th nationally in 2022 averaging 31.3 points per game and 54th averaging 402.2 PPG. The biggest questions will be if Candle wants to step down from being a head coach and if he’s willing to leave Ohio. Candle went to high school and college in Ohio and has spent his entire coaching career there.

Miami defensive coordinator Kevin Steele has emerged as a candidate for the same position over the last 72 hours at Alabama according to John Brice of Football Scoop. Steele was the Alabama defensive coordinator, from 2007-08, returning as the director of player personnel in 2013 and linebackers coach in 2014.

If Steele is hired by Alabama, Miami linebackers coach and Co-DC Charlie Strong could take over the full responsibilities with the Hurricanes. Miami defensive analyst DeMarcus Van Dyke could return to an on-field role. Van Dyke was the cornerbacks’ coach on the Miami staff prior to Mario Cristobal being hired in December 2021.

The Miami Hurricanes women’s basketball team hopes to build on their 69-66 overtime win at Clemson on Thursday. Miami hosts Georgia Tech on Sunday. Miami and Louisville enter Sunday’s games tied for sixth in the ACC with a 7-4 record. Miami is 14-8 overall. Georgia Tech is 12-10 overall and 3-8 in the ACC.