Miami will have an opportunity to continue remaking their secondary for 2025 with a report from Matthew Zenitz of 247Sports stating that Miami cornerbacks coach Chevis Jackson is being hired by Wake Forest to coach their defensive backs. Jackson was only on the Miami staff for one year.
Miami struggled in pass defense in 2024 under departed defensive coordinator Lance Guidry, who also coached safeties, and Jackson. The Hurricanes were 57th allowing 214.4 passing yards per game, 50th with a 124.69 passer rating against, 40th permitting 6.2 yards per attempt and 92nd with 22 TDs passes by opponents.
Jackson did make an impact in his one season as a recruiter for Miami. According to 247Sports, Jackson was the primary recruiter for Miami signing CBs Jaboree Antoine and Chris Ewald and safety Bryce Fitzgerald in the 2025 class and gaining a commitment from 2026 CB Camdin Portis.
Jackson's departure will allow newly hired defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman to bring in his own secondary coach. Minnesota CBs coach Nick Monroe is listed as the co-defensive coordinator, but could be a potential candidate to replace Jackson. Minnesota is expected to promote safeties coach Danny Collins to defensive coordinator.
Wake Forest has now finalized a deal with Miami’s Chevis Jackson and will be hiring him as a defensive backs coach, a source tells @CBSSports/@247Sports.
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) January 14, 2025
Before Miami, the former LSU and NFL cornerback was a defensive backs coach at Marshall and Kansas. https://t.co/FqBXaAfybJ pic.twitter.com/rcxgKfUeks
The new Miami secondary coach will have to get acquainted with transfer CBs Charles Brantley from Michigan State, Emmanuel Karnley from Arizona and Ethan O'Connor from Washington State, plus safety Zechariah Poyser from Jacksonville State. Miami CB O.J. Frederique and Poyser were named Freshmen All-American on Tuesday.
Mario Cristobal was decisive in hiring Hetherman. Cristobal has been more often methodical when hiring coaches. Expect Cristobal and Hetherman to make the decision together about Jackson's replacement. Cristobal and Miami significantly upgraded the talent in the secondary for 2025.
With the transfers Miami brought in through the portal, coaching the secondary should be a coveted position. Miami should be poised to make a run at a College Football Playoff berth in 2025 after adding Georgia quarterback Carson Beck through the transfer portal last week too.