Gaby Urrutia of Inside the U reported on Thursday morning that co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Charlie Strong will not return to the Miami football program in 2023. Miami hired Lance Guidry from Tulane on Tuesday as the new defensive coordinator to replace Kevin Steele who left for Alabama.
Guidry was hired less than 48 hours after the news that Steele was leaving for Alabama. Some of the speculation on the replacement for Steele was that Strong was a candidate to become the full defensive coordinator for Miami. Mario Cristobal will have four open positions with Strong not returning to his staff.
Strong was a high-profile hire and an excellent recruiter in his one year with Miami. Strong was the main recruiter for 2023 Miami LB signees Raul Aguirre, Malik Bryant, Marcellius Pulliam and Robby Washington. Prior to being hired by Cristobal, Strong had experience as a head coach at South Florida, Louisville and Texas.
Miami was lauded for the hires of Steele and Strong as experienced coaches with a track record of proven success. The Hurricanes were extremely inconsistent defensively in 2022. Miami had six games in 2022 allowing 17 points or less and five allowing 40 points or more. The Hurricanes were 5-1 when allowing 17 or less.
SOURCE: Charlie Strong is not expected to return to Miami for 2023 and is leaving UM. The 62-year old Strong was the Canes Co-DC and linebackers coach last season. @gabyurrutia247 first reported the move.
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) February 9, 2023
The lone exception was a 17-9 loss to Texas A&M. Miami lost all five games when allowing 40 points or more plus a 27-24 defeat to North Carolina. The Miami football team was 67th nationally allowing 26.75 points per game, 54th with opponents rushing for 142.9 rushing YPG and 80th with 233.6 passing YPG against them.
The one season under Steele and Stong had mixed success. Expect the 2023 Miami staff to get younger led by Guidry. There has been some speculation that more staff changes could be coming for Miami. As of now, Cristobal needs to hire a new offensive coordinator, quarterback, wide receiver and apparently LB coach.