Led by new defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman, Miami has made a 41 percent improvement in points allowed per drive in 2025 over 2024. That is the second most nationally from 2024 to 2025. Texas Tech is first nationally with 61 percent improvement in points allowed per drive in 2025.
Miami's defense by the numbers
Miami is eighth with a 75.2 percent stop rate and ninth, allowing 1.38 points per drive in 2025 per ESPN. The Hurricanes finished 80th in 2024, allowing 2.38 PPD. Hetherman should be considered for the Broyles Award as the top assistant in college football for his work improving Miami defensively in 2025.
Miami is seventh nationally allowing 14.2 points per game, ninth permitting 270.9 total yards per game, third allowing 81.8 rushing YPG and 28th holding opponents to 189.1 passing YPG. The Hurricanes have improved in all four of the major defensive stats in 2025.
Miami was 68th, allowing 25.3 PPG, 27th permitting 327.2 YPG, 19th with opponents gaining 112.77 rushing YPG and 57th giving up 214.4 passing YPG. Miami improved its scoring defense by 43.9 percent, its yards allowed by 17.2 percent, its run defense by 27.5 percent and pass defense by 11.8 percent.
Biggest YoY improvement in points/drive allowed (%Change from 2024):
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Texas Tech, 61%
Miami, 41%
Wake, 40%
Arizona, 37%
UVA, 31%
Indiana, 28.5%
Oregon, 28%
Miss St, 28%
Louisville, 26%
FSU, 24%
Miami has held six opponents to 10 points or less in 2025. Four Miami opponents have gained under 200 yards in 2025 and another was held to 285. Seven Miami opponents had under 100 yards rushing and five had less than 125 yards passing in 2025.
Hetherman led a near complete overhaul of the Miami defensive coaching staff. Co-defensive line coach Jason Taylor is the only holdover on the Miami defensive coaching staff from 2025. Defensive tackle coach Damione Lewis, safeties coach Will Harris and Defensive Backs Coach Zac Etheridge are all new to Miami in 2025.
Hetherman has created a more aggressive defense. The 26-7 win over Florida was the only 2025 game in which Miami did not produce a turnover. Losses to Louisville and SMU, in which Miami produced a turnover in each game, were the only other games Miami did not produce multiple combined interceptions or fumble recoveries in 2025.