Miami football: Lance Guidry one of CFB most impactful coaching hires

Defensive coordinator Lance Guidry has been named the 18th most impactful college football coaching hire by Brad Crawford of 247 Sports. Guidry is part of a revamped coaching staff for the Miami football program entering year two under Mario Cristobal. Guidry will have two new positions coaches working under him.

Miami replaced defensive line coach Rod Wright with Pro Football Hall of Famer and former Hurricanes’ Jason Taylor. Derek Nicholson replaces Charlie Strong as the linebackers coach. Joe Salave’a returns as primarily the Miami interior DL and Jahmile Addae is entering his second season as the Miami defensive backs coach.

Miami is expected to play a more attacking-style defense under Guidry. Marshall was 19th nationally last season averaging 7.0 tackles for loss per game. Miami finished 25th averaging 6.83 TFLs per game. Marshall finished 13th nationally averaging 2.92 sacks per game. Marshall had 38 sacks to 37 for Miami.

Miami returns All-American safety Kamren Kinchens as the cornerstone of the defense in 2023. Defensive tackle Leonard Taylor and safety James Williams are former five-star signees that will be expected to step up in their junior seasons. Transfer middle linebacker Francisco Mauigoa is expected to have a big impact.

"18. LANCE GUIDRY, MIAMI (DC)“Guidry is an interesting hire for Miami, one that came just days after Kevin Steele left for Alabama’s vacancy in the same role. Guidry helped Marshall become a juggernaut defensively in 2022, finishing in the top 20 nationally in 15 defensive categories, including 11 in the top 10, per 247Sports’ Brandon Marcello.The Thundering Herd was No. 8 in total defense, No. 2 in stop rate, No. 1 in third-down defense and No. 6 in scoring. Guidry left to coach Tulane’s defense after the season, but was only with the Green Wave for a month before departing for Miami.”"

Steele and former Miami football offensive coordinator Josh Gattis (who is the 21st most 2023 impactful coaching hire) were high-profile hires for Miami in 2022 that did not work out. New offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson and Guidry are not as well known but are expected to be more innovative with their schemes.

Dawson could have a bigger impact with Miami. Miami is changing from a more traditional offense under Gattis to a modified version of the Air Raid under Dawson. Guidry will lead a defense with more talent than Miami has offensively. Expect Dawson and Gudiry to both get the most out of the talent they are working with.