UCF RBs coach Harris taking post at Miami
UCF running backs coach Tim Harris Jr. is set to join the Miami Hurricanes staff in the same role, a person with knowledge of the move told the Sentinel on Tuesday night.
Harris Jr., the son of legendary Booker T. Washington coach Tim “Ice” Harris, spent the last two seasons in Orlando coaching the running backs and serving as a co-offensive coordinator under Gus Malzahn.
Andy Slater first reported the hire.
In January, Malzahn added the title of “assistant head coach” to Harris’ job description, a role that was previously held by recently promoted defensive coordinator Addison Williams.
Miami was in need of a new running backs coach after the previous position coach, Kevin Smith, departed for the same role at Ole Miss under coach Lane Kiffin, for who Smith worked at Florida Atlantic.
Smith, a legendary running back at UCF, spent one season with the Hurricanes. Miami averaged 128.3 rushing yards per game in 2022, finishing the season 95th nationally in rushing yards per game.
Harris came to UCF after six years as an assistant coach at Florida International. There, Harris served as running backs coach from 2015-2020 and was promoted to offensive coordinator in early 2021 before leaving for UCF.
The Knights’ ground game ended this past season ranked No. 9 nationally, averaging 228 yards. That powered UCF’s offense to rank 33rd in scoring (32.9 ppg) and 16th in total offense (469.6 ypg).
Harris also has proven to be a capable recruiter, helping bring running backs Jordan McDonald and Xavier Townsend to UCF. He also recruited numerous South Florida players during his tenure with the Knights and the Panthers.
Harris is the third assistant coach Malzahn will have to replace this offseason. Former defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Travis Williams left for the same role at Arkansas while offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Chip Lindsey departed to call plays at North Carolina.
Entering his second season as the Hurricanes’ head coach, UM’s Mario Cristobal has needed to replace half of his coaching staff. Cristobal fired offensive coordinator Josh Gattis after one season, replacing him with Shannon Dawson. Dawson also will coach Miami’s quarterbacks. The Hurricanes are still looking for a new wide receivers coach as Gattis coached the position, too.
Cristobal also needed to replace former defensive coordinator Kevin Steele, who left for the same position at Alabama. Cristobal hired former Marshall defensive coordinator Lance Guidry. Linebackers coach Charlie Strong departed as well and Miami hired Derek Nicholson to coach inside linebackers.
Harris is plenty familiar with the South Florida football landscape. He began his coaching career at Booker T. Washington in 2009 and held various roles until 2013, including offensive coordinator, wide receivers coach and quarterbacks coach.
The next year, he took over the high school football powerhouse and led the Tornadoes to their second straight 14-0 record, third consecutive Florida 4A state title and a No. 2 final national ranking by USA Today. Then he joined the college coaching ranks.
A former college track athlete, Harris returns to Miami where he was a four-time NCAA All-American in the 800 meters and six-time (indoors and outdoors) ACC champion in the 800.
A 2022 inductee into the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame, Harris still holds the ‘Canes’ indoor record in the 800.