The Miami football program is hiring running backs coach Tim “Ice” Harris from Central Florida according to Fox Sports South Florida Radio host Andy Slater. Harris is the son of the legendary Miami Booker T. Washington High School coach. Harris Jr. is a Miami alum who ran track for the Hurricanes.
Harris Jr. began his football coaching career at Booker T. Washington as the offensive coordinator, receivers and quarterbacks coach in 2014. Harris Jr. was the head coach at Booker T. Washington in 2014 before being hired as the RBs coach at Florida International from 2015-2020. UCF hired Harris Jr. as their RBs coach in 2021.
Harris Jr. left FIU to accept the job at UCF shortly after being promoted to offensive coordinator. Harris replaces Central Florida alum Kevin Smith who returned to Mississippi after one season coaching Miami. The Knights were 29th nationally averaging 196.31 rushing yards per game in 2021.
UCF improved to ninth nationally averaging 228.36 rushing YPG in 2022. Three Knights were in the top 100 nationally in rushing yards in 2022. Quarterback John Rhys Plumlee had 862 yards rushing, RBs Isaiah Bowser 799 and R.J. Harvey 796. Bowser was 10th nationally with 16 rushing touchdowns and Plumlee 33rd with 11.
Additionally, I'm told that Harris Jr. was the only one who was offered the Canes RB coach job.
— Andy Slater (@AndySlater) February 21, 2023
Harris Jr. is credited with signing eight RBs and 27 players as a collegiate assistant. His most well-known signee was kicker Jose Borregales who won the Groza Award at Miami in 2020. Harris will have a mostly inexperienced RB corps to work with in 2023. Henry Parrish who led Miami with 616 rushing yards is the returning starter.
Parrish is the only returnee for Miami in 2023 who received a lot of playing time in 2022. Don Chaney Jr. and Tre’Vonte Citizen return off injuries for Miami in 2023. Miami signed four-star RBs Mark Fletcher and Chris Johnson in 2023. The Miami football team was 95th nationally averaging 128.33 rushing yards per game in 2023.
Improving the running game in 2023 with a nearly completely overhauled offensive line will be a focus when the Miami football program begins spring practice on March 4. Harris has 11 days to get acquainted with his RBs. Harris Jr. will be working under new offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson who was hired last week.