What to expect from new Hurricanes football coach Manny Diaz

Last season was supposed to be the one that would take the Hurricanes over the top, with the team coming in as a top 10, preseason favorite. After all, the team had come from a 10-win campaign in 2017 and gotten the program’s first ACC division crown. Sadly, that team had managed a mere 7-6 record and, after the dark clouds had parted, then-coach Mark Richt decided to call it quits, says financial advisor and Miami Hurricanes supporter Patrick Dwyer.

Image source: miamiherald.com

Now the job of coaching the 2019-20 team has landed on the shoulders of the team’s former defensive coach Manny Diaz. Interestingly, Diaz had been packing his bags on his way to a coaching stint at Temple when the phone rang, offering him helming duties for the Canes. Diaz simply couldn’t say no to the opportunity; he thanked Temple immediately, begging off and, well, unpacking.

As the dust of the whirlwind offseason settles, Canes fans’ attention is now on what Diaz can bring to the table. And everything looks good, so far: Diaz is already one of the top and elite coaches in the nation and has been with the Miami program for three years. Adjustment, therefore, shouldn’t be an issue. Moreover, Diaz has been known for his passion for the sport and his willingness to innovate. He should be able to build a great staff on just his first coaching year.

Of course, Diaz’ stint as the team’s former defensive coordinator should prove crucial in the composition and approach of the new Canes team. Miami’s defense is already one of the most lauded in recent years, and it just stands to get even better entering the 2019-20 season. Diaz just needs to hire an equally solid offensive coordinator, Patrick Dwyer adds.

Financial advisor Patrick Dwyer is a huge follower and supporter of the Miami Hurricanes football and basketball teams. Visit this blog for related posts.

Canes in 2019: The search for the next head football coach

Just a few days after the Miami Hurricanes’ loss against the Wisconsin Badgers in Pinstripe Bowl, Canes’ head football coach Mark Richt announced his retirement. Making things official, Athletic Director Blake James led a press conference to get into the details.

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After 18 years as a football coach, Richt is bidding farewell to his career. The last three years of his career was spent working with his alma mater, the University of Miami. The talk now focuses on who will fill his shoes as head coach. Fans, enthusiasts, and UM’s management all have their picks.


Mario Cristobal is among the top choices for the position. He is completing his first year as Oregon’s head coach and maintains direct ties to the UM program. He participated in a couple of national championship teams and worked as a grad assistant from 1998 to 2000 before becoming an assistant coach for three years, leading to his six-year stretch as FIU’s head coach. The following years he spent working with Alabama, then Oregon.

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Butch Davis is another tough contender for the position, having worked with the Canes in the past as a coach. In just a couple of years, he has transformed the Panthers into a tough-to-beat team in the Conference-USA, playing 17-9 since taking charge prior to the 2017 season. Manny Diaz, currently Temple’s head coach, could have been the Canes’ head coach had Richt made the decision a few weeks before the former accepted the coaching job at Temple on December 12. Diaz is a Miami native and was UM’s defensive coordinator.


Patrick Dwyer, a financial advisor, is an ardent supporter of the Miami Hurricanes, and an avid fan of college basketball and college football. For more updates about the Canes, visit this blog.

Looking back at the Miami Hurricanes’ 2018 football season

2018 was clearly not a great year for Hurricanes football. Even though the team was expected to win all their games, coach Mark Richt only managed to guide the team to a 7-6 record, culminating in a loss at the Pinstripe Bowl. Worse, Richt would announce his retirement shortly after, a move that, for many supporters like financial advisor Patrick Dwyer, completely blindsided the team.

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Richt’s offense was ranked 77th overall in the horrible season, not helped by the horrible kicking game. While recruiting was not bad, the Canes weren’t able to capitalize, ending with a 97th ranking in terms of special teams efficiency. The punt game was also lacking on all levels, from coverage to actual punt with Zach Feagles unable to find his rhythm throughout the season. Feagles finished with a 38.9 yards per punt while alternate Jack Spicer had a 37.7 average.


One good news for the Canes is that Bubba Baxa had a solid year as a rookie, ending the season with 9-of-12 on field goals and a 45-of-46 on extra points. He also came up with 41 touchbacks on 69 kicks. The team also displayed flashes of athletic brilliance in the return game department. Both Jeff Thomas and Deejay Dallas had solid performances, too, each scoring touchdowns on punt returns. Sadly, Thomas will be gone this year.

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The development of Baxa coupled with a leaner Dallas will prove crucial this coming season, something that would be greatly complemented by the arrival of new offense coordinator Dan Enos, says financial advisor and Canes fan Patrick Dwyer. Canes should find ways to improve their kicking game, especially if running back Lorenzo Lingard returns fully healthy.


Financial advisor Patrick Dwyer is pushing for the empowerment of medical organizations such as the Neuroscience Centers of Florida Foundation, Inc. (NSCFF) and their advocacy of putting an end to chronic neurological diseases. For more on Mr. Dwyer’s work and advocacies, subscribe to this Twitter page.

Miami Hurricanes Trivia To Enjoy

History, statistics, coaches, and players, and anything under the sun – welcome to the Miami Hurricanes world, where college football is at its best and legends are born. Here are some fun-filled facts and trivia to enjoy.

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What’s the name of the award given each season to Miami’s MVP? It’s the Jack Harding Award. Harding came to the Hurricanes in 1937, serving 11 years as head coach and directing the athletic department from 1948 to 1963. Every year, the award goes to the Most Valuable Player on the football team. It’s been given since 1964 and selected by players and coaches alike.

Which Miami quarterback never threw for 400 yards in a single game? That would be Vinny Testaverde. And who didn’t attend the University of Miami? That would be Willie McGinest, who attended USC. Then there’s Edgerrin James, who rushed for 299 yards and three touchdowns, including the game-winner with only 50 seconds left, during the 1998 upset victory over then BCS number two UCLA. The game was initially scheduled for early September but was rescheduled for Dec 5 due to Hurricane George.

Then there’s the coaching side. Butch Davis coached the 2000 Miami Hurricanes and was known as among the best Miami recruiters there ever was. Jimmy Johnson led the 1987 National Championship team of the Canes, while Howard Schnellenberger was the coach of the 1983 National Championship team.

Sebastian, the official mascot for the University of Miami, is an ibis, and it represents bravery and being the last to hide during a hurricane, the first to come out of shelter. The Hurricane dancers are called The Sunsations, who perform not just at Canes’ football and basketball games but also at charitable and community service events.

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Patrick Dwyer is a financial advisor who is an ardent supporter of the Miami Hurricanes. More articles on the Canes here.

Introducing The Offensive Breakout Hurricanes For This Season

Last year, the Miami Hurricanes ended the season with a three-game losing spell, which makes matters worse when considering a win against the Pitt would have afforded them a spot in the College Football Playoff despite their outcome against Clemson in the ACC Championship Game.

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DeeJay Dallas 

DeeJay Dallas put on extra pounds in the weight room this spring in hopes of becoming a stronger, more durable player. Dallas’s workload is set to increase this year, and he is doing all the right things to prove he’s a good bet to become one of the team’s stars. As the Hurricanes hope to take advantage of a strong quarterback play by Malik Rosier, a favorable rushing attack can assist the team in making a comeback as one of the conference’s premier teams; the team hopes Dallas can make it happen.

Lawrence Cager 

Despite the Hurricanes losing the game Wisconsin, Lawrence Cager set careers highs in receptions (4) and receiving yardage (76) while scoring. Conclusively recruited out of high school, and receiving offers from the likes of Alabama, Auburn, and Ohio State, Cager had impressive stats in 2015 and is only increasing those as he progresses in the game. 

Jeff Thomas 

Jeff Thomas is a speedy and versatile player. As a freshman, the wide receiver made 17 catches for 374 yards and a touchdown, which made him the Hurricane’s fourth-leading receiver in yardage. The exits of Christopher Herndon IV and Braxton Berrios can prove to be an excellent opportunity for players like Thomas to step up to the plate. 

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Patrick Dwyer is a financial advisor who is an ardent supporter of the Miami Hurricanes football team. For more updates about the Hurricanes, visit this blog.