Mario Cristobal retools the coaching staff with veteran additions, fortifying a resilient defense as the Miami Hurricanes chase another historic College Football Playoff run.
Miami, FL. – The goal of contending for a National Championship remains the same, but the Miami Hurricanes added new leadership to the coaching staff. After the departures of Cody Woodiel to the Southeastern Conference, plus Zac Etheridge and Matt Merritt to the NFL, coach Mario Cristobal carefully filled those voids, along with a couple of promotions.
Newest members of the staff:
- Mike Viti
Position: Tight ends
Previously: Army
- Favian Upshaw
Position: Running backs
Previously: Denver Broncos
Promotions:
- Terry Jefferson
Title: Cornerbacks coach
Previous role: Assistant defensive back/nickel coach
- Will Harris
Title: Secondary coach/defensive pass game coordinator
Previous role: Safeties coach
The Hurricanes continue to add new faces as CBS Sports reported that Matt Birkett will be the program’s new assistant defensive back/nickel coach. He will fill in Jefferson’s previous role. Birkett spent last season with the Kansas Jayhawks as an assistant defensive backs and nickel coach/analyst. Before moving to the Big 10, he spent two years with the South Florida Bulls as a cornerbacks coach.
Birkett has 17 total years of coaching experience, but the veteran made a name for himself at James Madison University. In four seasons with the program, the Dukes had a top-10 scoring defense in the Football Championship Subdivision.
The Hurricanes underwent a significant defensive turnaround under first-year defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman. The team’s scoring defense went from one of the worst in the nation to the fifth-best in the Football Bowl Subdivision. They had disrupters up front, plus a secondary that made it difficult to carve out plays on.
Despite several departures, such as edge rushers Akheem Mesidor and All-American Rueben Bain Jr., safety Jakobe Thomas, and cornerback Keionte Scott, the Hurricanes are expected to translate the latest success over to the upcoming season. They brought in several new pieces, including defensive end Damon Wilson II and defensive back Omar Thornton.
Birkett is going to work directly with a talented defensive back room, which will feature numerous veteran returners, such as Damari Brown, Bryce Fitzgerald, Ethan O’Connor, Xavier Lucas, Zechariah Poyser, Ja’Boree Antoine, and Romanas “OJ” Frederique Jr.
The Hurricanes have established a new winning culture and standard by reaching the National Championship game. Despite falling short, the program is looking to remain as one of the nation’s top contenders. If the Hurricanes can carve out another historic College Football Playoff run, the defense will need to remain resilient.
Fall camp is only a couple of months away.
- Can Miami Hurricanes baseball coach J.D. Arteaga end the program’s championship drought?
- The Miami Hurricanes basketball program is reportedly scheduled to open the upcoming season against an in-state rival.
- Several Miami Hurricanes baseball players earned All-ACC honors, including a few first-timers.
- Coach Mario Cristobal believes the Miami Hurricanes should face an in-state rival every year.
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Anthony Aguirre is the Miami Hurricanes beat writer for Roundtable Sports. Contact info: [email protected] | 305-987-3290 | Follow on Instagram/X: @AnthonyA_Sports
