Post by USN on Jul 20, 2007 22:27:36 GMT -5
Coral Gables, FL - The Miami Hurricanes had a rough 2006 season, from the brawl with Florida International that ended with the suspension of thirteen Miami players to the tragic loss of Ryan Pata.
The Hurricanes ended last season at 7-6. However, the ended the season with a 21-20 MPC Computers Bowl win over Nevada, but no head coach.
Today, the latter was amended. Ron English, the now former defensive coordinator for the Michigan Wolverines accepted the heading job for the Miami Hurricanes.
English was named the Rivals.com National Defensive Coordinator of the Year during his initial season as the defensive signal caller. The 2006 defense rated among the nation's best, finishing first against the run, fourth in sacks, seven in third down defense, 10 in total defense and 15th in scoring defense. English's defense featured a conference-best four All-Big Ten first team and two second-team performers. Cornerback Leon Hall and defensive end LaMarr Woodley earned consensus All-America honors and linebacker David Harris and defensive tackle Alan Branch picked up All-America citations a long the way. Woodley became the team's first-ever Lombardi Award and Hendricks Trophy winner.
"Last year is last year. I want to start fresh. I will do so by bringing in not only the guys with the most talent, but the guys with the most character. To do so I will only bring in kids that are "home grown".
The new head coach outlined his recruiting and discipline strategy:
- Only players from Florida and border states will be recruited
- Players will be suspended for what he determines to be field misconduct, games suspended for determines on severity of action
- If a starter is suspended, he will not resume as starter when he returns from suspension for the rest of the season.
- All recruits will have B+ or better awareness
"My philosophy is we are going to just line up and say we are more talented than you and we think we can beat you. And I think here at Miami, this is true."
English plans to install a run heavy offense. "I think we will do runningback by commitee. But that's a tentative plan, we will see this spring. Running the ball and agressive defense is what I will bring to the Hurricanes' program."
English is the first African-American head football coach in UM history and only the second in the Atlantic Coast Conference since it was formed in 1953. He is one of six active black coaches among 119 Division I-A teams, joining Mississippi State's Sylvester Croom, UCLA's Karl Dorrell, Buffalo's Turner Gill, Kansas State's Ron Prince and Washington's Tyrone Willingham.
Won't be starting until I get my rosters.
