Miami Hurricanes: What Should They Do With Butch Davis?

Miami Hurricanes fans cheering in the stands -Shot by Hurricane Sports

Ever heard of the phrase shooting yourself in the foot?

Well, that phrase is way too light for this Miami Hurricanes program. The phrase that closer resembles this program is getting out of your own way. The Miami Hurricanes have been getting in their own way when it comes to being great and now that it looks like the program is about to change once again there are a few things that need to happen in Coral Gables, Florida if Miami wants to continue to set the standard in college football. The Hurricanes need to find that swagger that they once played with, the need more passion inside of the program, and the need to start winning games consistently once again. A school that one point was the crown jewel of the city is now looked as a mediocre college football program and it’s time for a big change.

Everyone and their mother in Miami have been shouting from the rooftops to bring coach Butch Davis back, and why wouldn’t they want to see him here? Davis was responsible for coaching first round talent including Ed Reed, Jeremy Shockey, Santana Moss, Andre Johnson, Clinton Portis, Frank Gore, Ray Lewis, Edgerrin James, Dan Morgan, Reggie Wayne, Phillip Buchannon, Kellen Winslow and Antrel Rolle and that list could continue from now until the end of time. Davis eventually left the program to coach for the Cleveland Browns but then returned back to college football at the University of North Carolina. After his brief stint at North Carolina, Davis is now no longer affiliated with any other school because he works as an analyst for ESPN.

People are right when they have the opinion that Davis should come back to Miami. The school would be wise to bring him back into the fold of the program but just not as a the head coach. At 63-years-old it’s very difficult to see someone coaching college football until they’re 70-years-old. Steve Spurrier just resigned from his job and he was 70 as well, so the longevity concern is real. However, because Davis shouldn’t coach the team doesn’t mean he shouldn’t have a position with the school. Instead of having him call plays, and set up practices, have Davis as the director of football operations. Davis would be the overseer of the program, in the same capacity that Pat Riley is to the Miami Heat. Davis would be responsible for speaking with recruits, he would be responsible for creating the trust between high schools in the area and the school and would be a bridge between the athletic director Blake James and the new coach. Davis would also have a hand in selecting the new coach as well as making sure the staff fits the scheme of the program.

ALSO ON THE WESTSIDE GAZETTE: Why Mario Cristobal Should Become Miami’s Head Coach

In addition, the Hurricanes should also use the fact that they’ve got so many NFL ties to their advantage. It’s time to take away the silly rule that says no one but the team is allowed on the sideline and have a designated area on the field for former alumni to stand and watch. That way when people watch televised games on national television they too, like the recruits watching, can be reminded of the players that have come from the program. Everyone wants to get known as a winner and this program has a myriad of champions at their disposal to show off and they should. People will gravitate towards the NFL talent mob Miami has, they just need to keep putting it on front street.

Furthermore, those same former alumni who complain, and moan about the direction of the program should use their energy in a more positive light. A group of 10 former players should join together and create an advisory board. It would be a group that would work under Davis and would communicate weekly to make sure the ship is running right. Miami is a program like no other in the county and this setup is something unlike any other in college football.

It’s time to get back to being trendsetting. It’s time to start winning again in Miami.

D’Joumbarey A. Moreau covers sports in Miami-Dade & Broward County. You can follow him on Twitter @DJoumbarey.

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