The Miami football program hiring Lance Guidry as the next defensive coordinator has received praise nationally. Among those who praised the decision by Mario Cristobal to hire Guidry is National College Football analyst Bruce Feldman of the Athletic and Fox Sports who is a Hurricanes alum.
Cristobal was able to hire Guidry away from Tulane where he was the Green Wave defensive coordinator for only 15 days. Tulane brought Guidry back to his home state from Marshall where he led an elite defense the last two seasons. Guidry was previously the head coach at FCS McNeese State from 2016 through 2018.
One of the more interesting tweets about Guidry came from Miami football staffer Dennis Smith who foreshadowed the hiring two days before with almost no one noticing. Smith tweeted The MAN-THE-MYTH-THE-LEGEND in front of a statue at Leesville High School where Guidry coached in 1995 and 1996.
Christopher Stock of Inside the U interviewer Marshall beat reporter Luke Creasy who helped break down Guidry regarding his tenure with the Thundering Herd. The Marshall defense improved significantly from Guidry’s first season in 2021 to his second when they were top 10 nationally in 2022.
There has been some analysis that Cristobal seemingly hired Guidry without his name being mentioned as a potential replacement for former Miami defensive coordinator Kevin Steele. Smith put a hint out there but nearly no one picked up on his cryptic tweet that Guidry was a candidate as Miami defensive coordinator.
THE MAN-THE MYTH-THE LEGEND🔥 pic.twitter.com/pOM0Pg2y9E
— DENNIS SMITH (@dtrain2901) February 5, 2023
Feldman provided excellent insight into the success Guidry led on the field and as a recruiter. Any coaches under Cristobal have to be able to recruit. Miami is bringing in a lot of talent on defense, but only signed only two defensive backs in the 2022 class. Guidry’s background is as a DB coach and that should help in recruiting.
Lance Guidry also is considered an excellent recruiter, per his former colleagues. At Marshall, he brought two studs in from McNeese, and also landed 3-4 good HS players who are expected to start for the Thundering Herd. "He's a really good evaluator." https://t.co/KLrdJOI4FT https://t.co/pY8guLaYsA
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) February 7, 2023
Guidry was the DB coach at Miami (Ohio) in 2009 and 2010. After the 2010 season, Guidry led the Redhawks as the interim head coach to a win over Middle Tennessee State in the GODaddy.Com Bowl. Guidry will join a rare group of coaching at Miami (Ohio) and the Hurricanes. The two Miamis play in the 2023 season opener.
Lance Guidry will soon become one of the few people ever to coach at both Miami University and the University of Miami.@RedditCFB pic.twitter.com/TH8oqbG4u5
— Brady Renard (@RenardSports) February 7, 2023
Guidry has been very active on Twitter this week. He let the numbers from the 2022 Marshall defense speak for themselves in a tweet posted on Tuesday. Marshall finished in the top 10 nationally in defense in multiple categories. The Miami football team needs a similar improvement from their defense in 2023.
These Stats Were Owned by 2022 Marshall Coaches and Players Only! Each Year is a Different Year! pic.twitter.com/QTMtfgJSaF
— Lance Guidry (@CoachLGuidry) February 7, 2023
Guidry is ready for his first job in a Power Five conference. Marshall won at Notre Dame and defeated Appalachian State which has been one of the better Power Five programs and won the Myrtle Beach Bowl over Connecticut. Tulane hired Guidry following an 11-2 season and a win over USC in the Cotton Bowl.
Guidry is on an upward trend in his career. A successful run at Miami will make Guidry sought after nationally. Guidry has a chance to work with the best talent of his career at Miami. The Hurricanes return All-American safety Kamren Kinchens and potential All-American defensive tackle Leonard Taylor as foundational players in 2023.