Miami defensive line coach Jason Taylor is the only on-field staff member remaining from the 2024 defense. Defensive coordinator Lance Guidry was fired and co-defensive line coach Joe Salave'a, cornerbacks coach Chevis Jackson and linebackers coach Derek Nicholson left for other positions.
Taylor began his collegiate career with Miami as a defensive analyst in 2022. After one season on the Miami staff, head coach Mario Cristobal promoted Taylor to co-defensive line coach with Salave'a in 2023. Taylor has become an elite recruiter, especially with Salave'a developing the Miami defensive linemen.
Miami DL Rueben Bain won the 2023 ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year. Taylor was the 75th-ranked recruiter nationally after finishing third in the 2024 cycle. Taylor's status as a Pro Football Hall of Fame DL has helped him secure elite DL for Miami in the last two classes.
Taylor was the lead recruiter for three 2025 Miami signees. The three 2025 Miami signees Taylor is credited as being the lead recruiter for had an average rating of 90.45 in the 247Sports composite. Taylor was the sixth-best recruiter in the ACC in the 2024 class.
Miami defensive line coach Jason Taylor with 2025 edge rusher Herbert Scroggins. Move in day. pic.twitter.com/a74bCvNq3p
— Manny Navarro (@Manny_Navarro) January 11, 2025
With Taylor as the lead recruiter, Miami signed five-star DL Armondo Blount, Marquise Lightfoot and Justin Scott in the 2024 class. They all had little impact as freshmen in 2024. Developing the DL will be critical for Miami in 2025. New Miami defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman and Taylor have a big job until Miami fills out the rest of the defensive staff.
Taylor was a Cristobal hire and is expected to remain on the Miami staff. There has been no discussion if Miami will bring in another DL coach to work with the tackles like Salave'a primarily did with Taylor in the last two seasons or if the latter will be the lone voice for the entire front for Hurricanes.
As the Miami defensive staff evolves, Taylor provides stability for Miami and 15 years of experience as a Pro Football Hall of Fame DL. Hetherman will likely hire his own defensive staff. Minnesota and Rutgers are the primary staffs Hetherman could poach from. Hetherman was the DC at Minnesota in 2023 and the LBs coach at Rutgers in 2023.