Former Hurricanes player and current linebackers coach Michael Barrow is taking a sabbatical from coaching to care for an ailing family member, Miami announced Friday morning.
“As a proud University of Miami graduate, former football player and coach, it is with a heavy heart that I announce I'm taking a sabbatical from coaching this season,” Barrow said in a statement. “This was an extremely tough decision to leave my dream job. However, I have a very important family obligation that requires my full attention, and I would not have had enough time to effectively fulfill my coaching duties."
“Coach Barrow has always put faith and family first in his life and this is clearly a time in his life where family needs him,” echoed head coach Al Golden said. “Micheal Barrow is the very definition of a Miami Hurricane - having given 11 years of class, service and leadership to the University and our community. We wish Micheal, Shelly and their children all the best as they enter a new chapter in their lives and we certainly hope Mike will return to coaching and mentoring young people in the near future.”
The move has ignited a chain reaction within Miami's coaching staff.
Running backs coach Hurlie Brown will transition to linebackers coach, while assistant director of football operations Tim "Ice" Harris has been promoted to running backs coach. The 'Canes will tab another former player, Kevin Beard, to replace Harris as assistant director of football operations.
Miami opens fall camp on Tuesday. The Hurricanes open the 2014 season on Labor Day night at Louisville (8 p.m. ET, ESPN).