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| Brennan Carroll is off to Seattle(Photo Credit: 247Sports.com) |
Canes Rising Contributor
Traditionally, the period after National Signing Day is a quiet time for most college football programs. Most teams are preparing for spring practice, and are moving full speed ahead towards opening day. That isn't the case at Miami, as the 'Canes are making massive changes to the coaching staff. Embattled wide receiver coach Brennan Carroll is leaving the program to become the assistant linebackers coach of the Seattle Seahawks. While this move isn't surprising, the timing couldn't have been any worse, as most of the candidates to replace Carroll are already off the market. Instead of conducting an exhaustive search, Al Golden has decided to keep it in the family, naming Kevin Beard as Carroll's successor. Beard is a former player at The U, and was brought in as the assistant director of football operations last fall. While he is a true 'Cane and may turn out to be a good hire, questions remain about Beard.
Kevin Beard's resume is a little light, compared to his recent predecessors. George McDonald was a career assistant who arrived in Miami with significant experience. Brennan Carroll's experience was gained at USC under his father, Pete Carroll. Beard doesn't have any collegiate coaching experience, and his high school experience isn't extensive. He wasn't a head coach at the high school level, he never rose above the level of position coach. Unlike Ice Harris, who was a legend in the South Florida coaching community, who had significant head coaching experience, Beard is an unknown quantity, who hasn't built the excellence equity of other local coaches. Beard's experience isn't anywhere near what Ice Harris' was, and that hire was widely questioned. While Beard's inexperience is cause for concern, he does bring some unique attributes to the job, attributes that may make him a find. Kevin Beard is a 'Cane, he understands the uniqueness of the South Florida athlete, which should make him a very compelling recruiter. He was a fundamentally sound player, which means that he does possess the knowledge, the key is whether he can pass that knowledge on. As a younger man, he should be able to relate to players in a way that an older coach couldn't. The receiver corps has been beset by infighting and a lack of strong leadership, Beard should be able to correct that. He has the cache to be the unquestioned leader.
When one looks at this hire, it's easy to write it off as a move made out of desperation. There's few coaches that are willing to work for a head coach who may be entering his final season. Therefore, it makes sense to promote someone from within, it's an easy move. That said, Kevin Beard isn't a man without potential. With the changes in the college football landscape, and the proliferation of former high school coaches joining the college coaching ranks, this could be an inspired hire. Fans shouldn't expect Beard to become the next Hugh Freeze, but he should be an upgrade over Brennan Carroll.
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