Miami football: Mario Cristobal and 5 options to replace Manny Diaz
By John Buhler
Things have gone from good to bad to worse during the Manny Diaz era of Miami football.
After losing to North Carolina, Miami football is now 2-4 on the year and Manny Diaz is squarely on the hot seat.
Miami was expected to not only contend for an ACC Coastal title but potentially be a darkhorse team to contend for the College Football Playoff for the first time in school history.
With neither a remote possibility this year, it may be time for Miami to make a change and fire Diaz and consider a new direction for the Hurricanes football program.
Here are five head-coaching candidates that make the most sense to replace Diaz at Miami.
Miami football: 5 suitable options to replace Manny Diaz as head coach
Liberty Flames. Pick Analysis. Hugh Freeze. 5. player. 2382. Scouting Report. Head Coach
Hugh Freeze can develop quarterbacks and should be coaching in the Power Five
While he has not been connected to the Miami job per se, Hugh Freeze has done a phenomenal job since taking over at Liberty. The Flames have been a strong national independent program since he arrived in Lynchburg. His star quarterback Malik Willis is destined to be a first-round pick next spring. Though Freeze does come with baggage, Miami needs an offensive spark in the worst way.
Pick Analysis. Defensive Coordinator. 819. Scouting Report. Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Marcus Freeman. 4. player
Marcus Freeman is well on his way toward being a Power Five head coach
If any coordinator is slated to take over for Diaz, it would have to be someone like Notre Dame defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman. He replaced Clark Lea, who took over at his alma mater Vanderbilt, on Brian Kelly’s Fighting Irish staff. Freeman had risen to prominence on Luke Fickell’s Cincinnati Bearcats staff. While he could replace Fickell at Cincinnati, Freeman must be considered.