Final Grades: Miami Defense

The Miami Defense improved, but couldn't overcome previous assumptions(Photo Credit: Associated Press)

Written By: Nathan Skinner
                  Canes Rising Contributor

During the tenure of Al Golden, the Miami defense has been mediocre at best and putrid at worst.  This season saw massive improvement, but this unit failed to show the consistency expected of an experienced unit.  Some of that can be attributed to a lack of depth at crucial positions, but most of it can be attributed to an overly conservative philosophy and an inability to maximize talent.

Final Grades

Defensive Line--This defensive line may be the worst in Miami history.  The sack numbers are abysmal, and tackles for loss are nonexistent.  Anthony Chickillo is a tough, gritty player but he doesn't make the big play.  The defensive tackles have been trainwrecks with Michael Wyche  a complete bust.  Courtel Jenkins played admirably as a freshman and Calvin Heurtelou was a consistent force. While Chad Thomas couldn't live up to the unrealistic expectations heaped upon him, he flashed his talent on more than one occasion.  Chad will be a star at Miami eventually,  if he's coached correctly. Fans should also be excited about the return of Al-Quadin Muhammad, a pass rushing end who was suspended for the fall semester due to an off field altercation.  This unit may have underachieved this season, but is slowly coming along.  Grade: D-

Position Coaching--Jethro Franklin has been underwhelming as the defensive line coach.  Miami rarely lands elite defensive line prospects, and the ones that are landed aren't developing. This unit may not have outstanding talent but that can be mitigated with outstanding coaching.  That hasn't happened, and Franklin is to blame.  When was the last time the defensive line executed a stunt, or used a swim move to beat a block? The fact that Tyriq McCord hasn't learned one move besides a speed rush is frightening.   These are issues that Franklin haven't corrected in 4 years.  It's time to cut Franklin loose, he doesn't recruit and players aren't developing.  Why is he drawing a paycheck?  Grade: F

Linebackers--Denzel Perryman is the best linebacker at Miami since Jon Vilma.  Perryman leaves Miami with a ton of accomplishments, including multiple All-ACC selections, and being named a Butkus Award finalist.  Denzel led the team in tackles for loss, and total stops but his contribution goes beyond mere statistics.  He's the unquestioned leader of this team, and has been an inspirational leader throughout his career.  While Denzel is the star, many other members of the linebacker corps emerged and showed Miami fans that this unit should be terrorizing opposing offenses for years to come. Jermaine Grace and Raphael Kirby emerged as players once Mark D'Onofrio allowed them to be aggressive. The surprise of the year was Thurston Armbrister, who went from a bit player, to a consistent performer, finishing the season with 53 tackles.  Losing Jawand Blue and Alex Figueroa before the season started hurt depth, but this unit overcame .  Grade: B-

Position Coaching--Hurlie Brown took over as linebackers coach during fall camp following the sudden resignation of Micheal Barrow.  Brown has done an outstanding job this season, and has shown an ability to reach players.   It's too early to call Brown a star, but he's done more than enough to justify his place on the staff.  Grade: C+/B-

Secondary--Far too many ups and downs for this group.  Talent wise, this is far and away the best group defensively.  However, this unit wasn't consistent, and suffered from a lack of focus at times.  The best corner was Artie Burns who is finally looking like the player he was projected to be.  Burns has to mature mentally if he wants to take the next step into stardom.  His body language at the end of the season was deplorable, and it spread throughout the unit.  Corn Elder has gone from a man without a position, to a corner that isn't afraid to challenge receivers at the line of scrimmage.  Elder was the best tackling corner this season, and was useful in run support.  Tracy Howard was a non-factor, and has become the epitome of the entitled, selfish student-athlete. He's barely on the depth chart, and looks to be a player who will be lost in the shuffle going forward. Where Miami truly struggled was at the safety position.  Deon Bush  doesn't have any interest in being useful in passing situations, and Nantambu Fentress doesn't have the top end athleticism to compete against major college talent.  Fentress is a hard worker but he shouldn't be seeing significant snaps at Miami.  Jamal Carter has the physical talent, but hasn't been able to consistently apply himself in crucial moments.  The loss of Rayshawn Jenkins hurt this unit more than expected.  Grade: B-

Position Coaching--Paul Williams gets a ton of criticism, most of it unwarranted.  It's hard to blame the secondary when they are being forced to cover receivers for long periods, thanks to an ineffective defensive line. Williams has done a great job with Artie Burns and Corn Elder, and is slowly developing Jamal Carter. He is by far the best position coach on the defensive staff and should be praised, not criticized.   Grade: B

Special Teams

Kicking/Punting--Michael Badgley was an unknown at the beginning of the season, and ended the season a pleasant surprise.  Badgley struggled to convert PATs, missing three and having one blocked.  He was significantly better in place kicks, converting 80% of his attempts.  Justin Vogel emerged as a weapon averaging over 43 yards per punt.  Miami didn't lose because of the kicking game, and Badgley's  strong leg is a valuable commodity.  Grade: B

Time for a Shakeup

Brennan Carroll(Photo Credit: Cane Insider)

Written By: Nathan Skinner
                    Canes Rising Contributor


Coming into this season, rational observers wanted to see the 'Canes improve as the season progressed, and become a consistent, well coached football team.  On Saturday, the 'Canes looked awful, losing to inept Virginia. The same Miami team that dominated North Carolina, Cincinnati and Virginia Tech  couldn't put up a fight against a team that had lost four games in a row.  The inconsistency of this team points to a staff that has too many weak links.  If Al Golden wants to be the head man for the long haul, he has to make major changes.

Coaches on the Hot Seat

1. Brennan Carroll--If anyone could explain what this coach brings to the table, I'd like to hear it.  Carroll is energetic and a fun twitter follow, but he doesn't do much else.  He isn't a dynamic recruiter, he is an awful tactician, and he doesn't teach.  Carroll's receiver corps have been awful in regards to the fundamentals all season.  Philip Dorset  can't run crisp routes, Stacy Coley struggles to make simple catches, and none of the receivers can block.  If Brennan's last name wasn't Carroll, he would have been fired a long time ago.  The fact that he's been here this long is troubling, and needs to be corrected.

Desired Replacement: George McDonald
McDonald has coached at Miami before, and he was an excellent receivers coach.  He is an outstanding teacher, and a solid recruiter.  He left Miami to become the Offensive Coordinator at Syracuse, which didn't work out.  That failure doesn't change the fact that he's a drastic upgrade over Carroll.  He fits Miami's budget, and would be able to hit the ground running. 

2. Jethro Franklin--Miami doesn't have elite talent on the defensive line, but there's more than enough talent for Franklin to work with.  The Miami D-Line has been awful during his tenure, they can't stop the run, or rush the passer.  Franklin's group rarely wins individual battles, rarely shows a grasp of fundamental concepts, and the talented players don't develop.  Tyriq McCord is still a mere edge rusher, he hasn't learned to use his hands and long arms to keep opposing linemen at bay.  Anthony Chickillo has gotten bigger and stronger, but still doesn't have an array of moves to make up for his lack of top end athleticism.  Elite recruits see that the Miami D-Line is one of the worst coached groups in the country.  If Miami is to become relevant again, this has to change. 

Desired Replacement: John Palermo
Palermo is another retread like McDonald, but he's another solid coach who fits the program. Palermo was a member of a failed staff, but that shouldn't overshadow how good he was as the D-Line coach.  The line showed massive improvement during his Miami tenure, and his resume is outstanding.  Palermo is currently at Pitt, Miami should be able to poach him, if so inclined.   While he isn't a strong recruiter, he's an outstanding teacher.  There are enough recruiters on the staff, this position group needs a tactician and motivator.  

3. James Coley--Miami can no longer afford to allow Coley to learn on the job.  While he's an outstanding recruiter, and a decent playcaller, Miami is not getting a good return on their investment. If Coley wasn't one of the highest paid assistants in Miami history, it would be easier to justify his struggles. Miami should look to find a talented playcaller, while finding a new role for Coley.  Coley's recruiting prowess and energy are sorely needed on this staff.  

Desired Replacement: Lincoln Riley
Riley is a young, energetic coach who is a rising star in the profession.  East Carolina has one of the most dynamic offenses in the country and Riley oversees it.  He hasn't been an offensive coordinator in a power conference, but he has called outstanding games against power conference teams.  He isn't afraid to take chances, and he has shown an ability to develop difference making passers.  His pass first, run never philosophy isn't my cup of tea, but I think he will adjust once he sees the running back talent Miami possesses.  A drawback to hiring Riley is that he's most likely a head coach in 2 years or less but that shouldn't stop Miami from making a major push for his services. 

4. Mark D'Onofrio--It's obvious that Al Golden has been managing the defense over the last 6 weeks, this defense has looked totally different.  D'Onofrio has struggled to formulate coherent, sensible gameplans.   D'Onofrio is a close friend of Al Golden, but it's obvious that he is far too conservative to be a viable coordinator.  D'Onofrio would make a fine linebackers coach at Miami, but it's safe to say that he won't take a demotion. Al Golden could be his own defensive coordinator but that would add to an already heavy workload. 

Desired Replacement: Will Muschamp/D.J. Durkin
Muschamp is the best defensive coordinator available, he will be offered by a ton of schools.  Will was a failure as a head coach, but he is one of the best defensive minds in America, and his defenses are fast and aggressive.  Muschamp uses a variety of fronts, which should appeal to Al Golden who may be apprehensive about hiring someone who has a differing defensive philosophy.  The one drawback with Muschamp is that he will command a salary in excess of 1 million dollars, which is out of Miami's price range.  D.J. Durkin would be a very good Plan B, he is a coach on the rise.  He was the lead assistant under Muschamp and was the defensive coordinator for the Gators.  He didn't call every defensive play, but he was a major voice on the team, and in the defensive meeting rooms.  Durkin adds additional value as a elite recruiter, and special teams coach.