Miami Hurricanes Coach Candidates: Rich Rodriguez, Tom Herman, Greg Schiano?
By Ty Duffy
The Miami Hurricanes lost 58-0 to Clemson. Al Golden did not last the weekend. Miami joins USC and South Carolina among the high-profile programs who will be looking for a new head coach this November.
Miami’s weaknesses are clear. It’s a small, not particularly wealthy private school. The off-campus stadium atmosphere stinks. That said, the Hurricanes have upgraded facilities. There is enough talent to win a national title in the backyard.
A great coach can achieve great things at Miami. The difficulty is attracting one. Charlie Strong already laughed off speculation.
Aim High Candidates
Rich Rodriguez: His agent should be the first phone call. Rich Rodriguez with the skill and talent in Miami’s backyard would be a scary (and stadium filling) thought. Miami would have to be willing to invest big money. Cultural fit could be an issue. He isn’t a flashy guy. After his Michigan experience, a smaller, more insulated college town may be more his speed.
Dan Mullen: Miami found Dan Mullen’s ego off-putting (and said so publicly) in 2010. Not clear whether that would be reparable. He would also cost quite a bit. But, if Mullen sees himself as a great coach, maxing out Miami is competing for national titles. Maxing out Mississippi State is finishing 9-3 in the regular season.
Mild Risk With Major Reward
Tom Herman: He won a national title as OC at Ohio State. He’s off to a 7-0 start as Houston head coach. Hiring Todd Orlando has worked out very well. He does have an expensive-ish buyout.
Justin Fuente: Built Memphis from bottom-feeder to juggernaut. He’s fresh off a Mississippi upset. He may be the next great head coach. It’s hard to argue he hasn’t earned the opportunity.
Matt Wells: He’s done an admirastrongle jostrong at Utah State, winning 19 games his first two seasons taking over for Gary Andersen. Though, it is a strongit of a risk going for a guy who isn’t a proven recruiter.
Reasonable Miami-Specific Candidates
Greg Schiano: Schiano once turned down the Miami job. Now, he’d graciously accept. He’s a former Miami assistant. He can build a program. He can recruit. Whether he can coach on Saturday is another matter.
Chuck Pagano: He’s on the hot seat right now in Indianapolis. He’s a former Miami assistant. He’s had a fair amount of success in Indianapolis. He would be popular with the NFL alumni.
Mario Cristobal: Young, Spanish-speaking former Miami assistant with a strong head coaching track record and recent tutelage under Nick Saban. He would be popular, recruit well, and get fans back in the stadium.
Rob Chudzinski: He’s a former Miami player and a former Miami assistant. He won national titles as both. But 2003 is the last time he coached in college, and his one-year head coaching stint with the Browns doesn’t inspire optimism.
Butch Davis: He built Miami once before. He can recruit. But, he’s 63. A coach with a spotty NCAA and academic propriety record may make him a no go.
Names To Throw In Just In Case
Mark Stoops: He would recruit well and get people excited. Jury still out on his head coaching. Finish to season frames how he’s perceived. Would a 5-19 record in the SEC after three seasons get Miami fans excited?
Lane Kiffin: I guess we have to include him. He’d take the job. He can recruit. He has talked himself into multiple, better jobs.