Four Takeaways From Miami’s 5-7 2022 Season

After a 42-16 walloping by the Pittsburgh Panthers and falling to 5-7 on the yr, all however eliminating bowl eligibility, was Mario Cristobal’s first season as Miami’s head coach a failure? On the sector, sure. Off the sector, no. Like his predecessor Manny Diaz, Cristobal seemingly made errors with some workers hires in his first yr.

Some hires have but to really have the possibility to point out what they’re made from, like offensive line coach Alex Mirabal. Does that imply he ought to go? Completely not because it’s largely not possible to develop a whole offensive line over one offseason. Nonetheless, higher outcomes will probably be anticipated subsequent yr and if there is no such thing as a improvement, then his time at Miami ought to come into query. For different coaches on the workers, their lack of improvement and outcomes have put them on the quick hot-seat.

Despite the fact that the UM athletic division broke the financial institution for an all-star workers, the outcomes didn’t translate in yr one. Is all of it on the workers? Some could say sure, however others could take a look at it in hindsight: the group Cristobal inherited was merely not as proficient as many could have been led to imagine on paper.

There’s no query, the scheme held again a number of the success for Miami each on offense and protection, but it surely was clear when the coaches felt uncomfortable with sure personnel on the sector and that there was an absence of belief to create success. Listed here are 4 important takeaways from a particularly underwhelming season in Coral Gables.

Josh Gattis will not be the reply at OC, nor did he reside as much as the “high assistant” at Miami he was as soon as named as

In 2019, Miami followers witnessed one of many worst offensive years in over 10 years.. The play caller that yr? Dan Enos, who was coming off of a yr in Alabama’s soccer program because the affiliate head coach and quarterbacks coach. Earlier than the season, Enos was a house run rent. Going into the Independence Bowl towards Louisiana Tech, Enos’ home was put up on the market and hours earlier than the sport it was introduced he could be fired from Miami.

Enos coached Miami’s offense to 25.7 factors per recreation, the bottom offensive scoring margin for Miami since 2006. Gattis’ offense put up 23.6 factors per recreation, which is now the worst since 2006. Taking a look at fast passing and dashing statistics, the Canes in 2019 have been extra environment friendly and scored greater than in 2022.

Regardless of the dearth of outcomes, Miami has expertise offensively, and that’s largely the most important query mark about the whole yr. How did Miami regress so badly offensively after seemingly getting right into a rhythm final yr? Contemplating how completely different the scheme regarded, and the way the gamers performed within the stated scheme, many fingers level to Gattis.

Mario Cristobal realized it’s by no means a straightforward first yr at Miami

Fortunate for Cristobal, each coach that’s coached Miami since 2007 has had higher leads to their second yr. Whereas many anticipated quick success this yr, that clearly didn’t occur and it simply signifies that Cristobal was subsequent in an extended line of coaches to wrestle of their first yr at Coral Gables.

Many thought the quick success would stem from robust recruiting lessons constructed by Mark Richt and Manny Diaz, even Cristobal’s stellar eleventh-hour heroics within the 2022 cycle. Nonetheless, what transpired over Richt’s closing yr to Cristobal’s first was a extreme lack of improvement. Many Hurricanes’ had their greatest season throughout their freshman and sophomore campaigns and easily haven’t matched that since in two to a few years, which means they’ve peaked.

As seen over the previous couple of years and even this yr, there’s not been a lot improvement at quite a few positions, most notably linebacker, cornerback and offensive line. These are all positions that can take time to develop and take time to construct with gamers that the present workers has recruited, not the previous workers.

There may be in fact, getting the precise workers collectively, which Cristobal seemingly failed at doing this season. However, as aforementioned, it did occur to his predecessor in his first yr. Whereas Cristobal is way extra skilled than Manny Diaz, it nonetheless goes to point out that dangerous hires could be made irrespective of who’s operating a program, Cristobal doubtless has realized his lesson in that aspect.

The Switch Portal block will probably be HOT this offseason

To this point, Miami has already seen seven entries into the portal with lots extra unconfirmed gamers on their method out. There will probably be many names that followers will probably be unhappy to see go, however based mostly on what transpired final offseason within the portal, there needn’t be worries with Cristobal and switch portal director Andrew Rodgers on the helm.

Largely each portal signee Miami acquired performed this season and performed in a big position. That truth alone goes to be interesting to switch portal candidates on this cycle. If folks thought Cristobal did work within the portal final yr, after going via a full season and seeing what he has and doesn’t have, one can anticipate an enormous flip of the roster.

The Canes very properly could possibly be a kind of groups this offseason that’s talked about due to a possible mass exodus occurring, very similar to what Virginia Tech confronted in 2019 and what Texas A&M goes via at present. Nonetheless, the assumption is that Cristobal will equally assault the portal and convey within the expertise and depth to make up for the attrition.

Miami’s protection nonetheless has loads of work to do to turn into a constant unit

Jahmile Addae, Charlie Robust, Joe Salave’a and Kevin Steele are solely 4 of many defensive hires that Cristobal remodeled the offseason. Lots of the hires have been deemed to be main upgrades by way of recruiting and improvement. In some ways, the Canes did enhance on protection however usually occasions have been inconsistent, leading to lackluster performances.

The Canes introduced down the factors per recreation from 28.4 to 26.8. Enchancment, actually, however not when the offense can’t rating. It may be unfair to say the protection was underwhelming this yr, however let’s take a look at either side. The offense put the protection in dangerous conditions time and time once more with turnovers and dangerous discipline place (to not the fault of punter Lou Hedley). To the identical token, permitting a number of 50+ yard touchdowns towards MTSU isn’t successful soccer both.

Miami had extra sacks than the yr earlier than, however the entrance seven nonetheless struggled to make performs behind the road of scrimmage as they totalled 11 much less tackles for loss than the yr earlier than. One lacking a part of the protection was the turnover chain, however the Hurricanes didn’t appear to overlook it an excessive amount of as they really generated extra turnovers this yr than they did final yr, gaining a staggering 11 extra turnovers.

The longer term improvement of the protection is contigent upon workers strikes, that are anticipated to occur. There’ll completely be strikes made offensively, however based mostly on what transpired this season, it might be honest to say the defensive workers are on an extended leash than the offensive workers. The outcomes have been stagnant and inconsistent, however flashy play from Akheem Mesidor, Kamren Kinchens amongst others are lots causes to be optimistic about the way forward for the protection.