Happy Monday, everybody.
I’ve been busy with some stuff, and we’ve had season awards items to do, so it’s been a minute since I’ve done this column. Even with the football offseason a month and a half in, there’s still plenty going on with the Miami Hurricanes, so let’s get to it.
1) Miami has had some coaching happenings take place lately.
As I mentioned last week, Damione Lewis is back with the Canes as the new defensive line coach, so that’s always nice. He’s been with the best in the NFL, and he also turned around Colorado’s porous defensive front in 2024 to lead the Big 12 in sacks. He’s been good where he’s gone, so I’m excited to see what he can do teaming up with Jason Taylor to make that group better.
2) However, the intrigue to me lies with Will Harris, who has been reported to be joining Mario’s staff to coach the safeties (even though it hasn’t yet been announced).
His departure raised some eyebrows among Florida faithful. However, the former Gator defensive backs coach posted a very insightful post on Twitter/X that appears to indicate he was forced out by Billy Donovan.
First and foremost, I would like to thank Billy Napier and Scott Stricklin for giving me the opportunity to coach at The University of Florida. Billy – As they say, the ones who bleed together are brothers. We went through the trenches last year and pulled out one hell of a…
— Will Harris (@CoachWillHarris) February 15, 2025
“With that being said, I understand business is business, and you have to do what you believe is best for the University of Florida’s football program.”
That sure sounds like an involuntary departure to me.
Regardless, it appears as though Miami could stand to benefit quickly from Harris’ hire. Four-star Tampa area (Armwood HS) CB Jaelen Waters has been crystal balled by Steve Wiltfong to slide to Miami after decommitting from Florida.
On3’s @SWiltfong_ has logged an expert prediction for Miami to land 4-star CB Jaelen Waters
Waters decommitted from Florida earlier today.
Read: https://t.co/CeXNtrhlNR pic.twitter.com/HQ8iAF35pQ
— On3 Recruits (@On3Recruits) February 15, 2025
Harrius was recruiting him in Gainesville. You do the math there. As the industry #11 CB in the nation per On3, it goes without saying he’d be a big get.
3) Speaking of recruiting, former director of recruiting David Cooney is heading out of town to become the Bowling Green WR coach, per Matt Zenith of 247 Sports.
Cooney’s been a WR analyst since Mario came to town, and the move is a logical one for him. He’ll be a full positional coach and will also have the added duty of pass game coordinator. Congrats, best of luck at your next stop, and thanks for your contributions to the U.
4) I hadn’t exactly been counting the days until Miami baseball returned.
I guess I’m not quite sold that this team is going to make a big jump in year two of the J.D. Arteaga era. Maybe I’m speaking the jinx into existence here. Hopefully I am.
Against Niagara last weekend, they managed to start the season off on the right foot, at least. Three double-digit wins with a run-rule triumph on Sunday. Only 3 runs allowed over the weekend. Regardless of opponent, that’s pretty strong.
However, it’s all just smoke until the end of the month, when the Canes face the Florida Gators in Gainesville. That’ll start to reveal what this team could be like this year.
Go Canes!