Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
UM announces major changes to defensive coaching staff
The Miami Hurricanes are bringing Jess Simpson back as defensive line coach and promoting DeMarcus Van Dyke to cornerbacks coach among a series of major changes to coach Manny Diaz’s defensive staff announced on Thursday.
Simpson, who coached Miami defensive linemen in 2018, comes back to UM after spending the last two seasons holding the same role with the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons. His hire is pending completion of a standard university background check, according to Miami’s release.
Van Dyke, who played cornerback for the Hurricanes in college and spent six seasons in the NFL, is promoted after serving as UM’s assistant director of recruiting the past two seasons. He bypassed an opportunity to join former Miami safeties coach
Ephraim Banda as he was named Utah State defensive coordinator earlier this offseason.
“We are excited to announce these staff hires as we work to improve all facets of our program on and off the field,” Diaz said in a statement. “Jess is a proven defensive line coach at all levels who had great success with our defensive line in 2018 and we are thrilled to have him back at UM. DeMarcus is eager to take
the next step in his coaching career and work in tandem with Travaris [Robinson, who was hired last week as defensive backs coach].”
Diaz is retaining Blake Baker as defensive coordinator, but Diaz will now call plays on game day.
“Blake will continue to run our defense and I will call the defensive plays on gamedays, which we feel is our best path to maximizing our strengths on that side of the ball,” Diaz said.
Todd Stroud and Mike Rumph, who were defensive line coach and cornerbacks coach, respectively, last year, will remain with Miami in different roles. Stroud will now serve as senior football advisor and Rumph will assume a role in UM’s recruiting department.
“We also think it’s a tremendous asset to have Todd and Mike continue to work closely with our program,” Diaz said. “Overall, this is a staff that firmly believes in our vision and culture for Miami Football and we can’t wait to hit the ground running with our offseason program.”
Jonathan Patke is remaining on the staff as special teams coordinator and outside linebackers coach. Baker, in addition to being defensive coordinator, also coaches inside linebackers.
Last time Simpson led Miami defensive linemen in 2018, the Hurricanes ranked No. 4 nationally in total defense and No. 1 in several categories, including tackles for loss, third-down conversion percentage and passing yards allowed. Under Simpson’s tutelage, defensive tackle Gerald Willis earned All-American honors.
Before his recruiting role the past two seasons, Van Dyke was defensive quality control analyst for the Hurricanes in 2018. He played an instrumental role in putting together Miami’s star-studded 2021 recruiting class.
The changes come after the Hurricanes were 67th nationally in total defense (408.4 yards per game) and 51st in scoring defense (27 points per game). They gave up program worsts of 554 rushing yards and 778 total yards in the 62-26 loss to North Carolina on Dec. 12.
A potent defense has been a trademark for Miami since Diaz came on board as defensive coordinator in 2016.
While showing flashes of dominance in 2020, that was not the case in the final two losses against UNC and in the Cheez-It Bowl vs. Oklahoma State, the previous defeat at Clemson in October, much of the 44-41 win at North Carolina State or parts of the 25-24 win at Virginia Tech, both in November.
The moves finalize the Hurricanes’ coaching staff for the 2021 season, according to the release. The offensive side remains unchanged with offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee, offensive line coach Garin Justice and wide receivers coach Rob Likens returning for a second season with the Hurricanes while tight ends coach Stephen Field and running backs coach Eric Hickson will be back for a third season at UM.