While Miami's 8-3 season was widely viewed as a success for Manny Diaz and his staff coming off a 6-7 season in 2019, giving up 62 points in the ACC title game in a loss to North Carolina, followed by a tight 37-34 loss to Oklahoma State in the Cheeze-It-Bowl is not how anyone pictured the season ending after such a strong start.
The Miami defensive staff has already undergone some change, as back in mid-December we shared that 'Canes co-defensive coordinator Ephraim Banda was being targeted by Blake Anderson to become the new defensive coordinator at Utah State. With that addition all but formally announced, the move to the Aggies will allow Banda to call the shots on defense for the first time in his career. At Miami that was the role of defensive coordinator Blake Baker.
Sources tell FootballScoop that additional changes on defense are in the works as well.
Defensive line coach Todd Stroud is battling some health issues, and is likely stepping away from his role on the field, sources have shared. There's a chance stay he stays with the program in a new off-field role, per multiple reports. Canes Access adds that, in the event that Diaz doesn't find the right fit for the role, Stroud could stay on as defensive line coach.
Stroud also holds the title of assistant head coach on staff.
In the secondary, in addition to Banda (who coached the safeties), we're also told that corners coach Mike Rumph is leaving the staff. Canes Access has reported the same.
Rumph had spent the past five seasons working with the 'Canes corners, where he developed a number of NFL Draft picks and All-ACC selections.
Before joining the coaching staff of his alma mater, where he helped lead the program to the 2001 National Title, Rumph was the head coach at American Heritage, leading them to state titles in 2013 and 2014, going 39-6 overall in three seasons.
Should all else remain the same heading into the 2021 season, without Banda, Rumph and Stroud, the Miami defensive staff would return just two staff members - defensive coordinator Blake Baker and outside linebackers coach Jonathan Patke.
Manny Diaz will be tasked with finding three new coaches for a new-look Miami defense this heading into 2021.
Stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest
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