Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reported late on Wednesday morning that defensive analyst Jason Taylor is staying with the Miami football program over accepting a job with the Dolphins. Taylor has been frequently mentioned as a potential replacement for former Hurricanes’ defensive ends coach Rod Wright.
Wright left the Miami football program to accept a position with the Houston Texans as a defensive assistant. Taylor is reportedly the leader to replace Wright. There has been some speculation that the decision will be up to Taylor if he wants to become the Miami DEs coach.
The decision could ultimately be if Taylor wants to be involved with the grind that is required of college coaches. Miami retaining Taylor over a potential departure for the Dolphins is significant for the Hurricanes. Jackson tweeted the respect between head coach Mario Cristobal and Taylor is mutual.
Per Jackson, Taylor enjoys working with the Miami football program and Cristobal values him. Miami has a bright future for its edge rushers. The Hurricanes return 2022 signees, Cyrus Moss and Nyjalik Kelly and add 2023 signees Rueben Bain and Jayden Wayne. Miami also hired new defensive coordinator Lance Guidry.
Though one report this week linked JT to a job on the Dolphins staff, the expectation is that he will remain at UM with an expanded role. Jason has liked working at UM, and Cristobal values him. https://t.co/y3m3x9mDjy
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) March 1, 2023
Taylor has only recently gotten into coaching beginning with a stint as the DL coach at St. Thomas Aquinas from 2017 through 2019 and as the Raiders defensive coordinator in 2020 and 2021. There is no further information from Jackson about what a potentially expanded role for Taylor could be beyond an analyst.
Having a Pro Football Hall of Famer on the Miami football staff has to help Cristobal and the Hurricanes in recruiting, especially on the defensive line. Miami begins spring practice on Saturday with the DL coach the last remaining opening position with Kevin Beard slated to become the Miami wide receivers coach.
Miami had two defensive line coaches last season with Joe Salave’a as the Defensive Line Coach / Associate Head Coach-Defense / Defensive Run Game Coordinator per his Miami Hurricanes biography and Wright. Salave’a primarily worked with the Miami defensive tackles as a former NFL interior defensive lineman.