Miami hires Oregon assistant to come East to lead Canes’ receivers as co-coordinator
Miami Hurricanes coach Mario Cristobal has announced the hiring of UM’s new wide receivers coach, who will also serve as co-offensive coordinator.
Bryan McClendon is leaving the Pacific Northwest’s Eugene, Oregon, to come to the warmth of Miami.
McClendon, 38, will replace Rob Likens, who followed new SMU head coach and former UM offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee to SMU. Cristobal had not announced any other offensive coordinators as of Wednesday.
McClendon’s last game at Oregon was as the interim bowl coach Dec. 29 against Oklahoma in the Alamo Bowl. Oklahoma defeated Oregon 47-32 for a 10-4 final Ducks record in 2021.
“I’m fired up to have Bryan McClendon join our staff as wide receivers coach and co-offensive coordinator,” Cristobal said in a UM release. “B Mac is an elite football mind, coach and recruiter and has exceptional acumen in the area of player development. Miami is a place that has always been known as ‘Wide Receiver U,’ and Bryan’s combination of passion and energy makes him the perfect candidate to help build on that reputation and elevate our program and culture to new heights.”
Said McClendon in the release: “I’m thrilled to be joining Coach Cristobal’s staff at the University of Miami. Having the chance to reunite with Coach Cristobal, co-coordinate an offense and lead a position room as prestigious as the one at The U presents a special opportunity and a challenge that my family and I are excited to take on together. We can’t wait to get started.”
On Monday, UM announced the hiring of former Oregon strength and conditioning coordinator Aaron Feld to head UM’s strength program and replace David Feeley, who just joined Duke.
Oregon’s passing offense ranked 76th of 130 FBS teams this season (221.3 yards a game). Devon Williams was the Ducks’ top receiver statistically, ranking 175th in the FBS in receiving yards per game (46.4).
But with soon-to-be third-year UM sophomore quarterback Tyler Van Dyke already being projected as one of the top returning signal-callers for 2022, UM’s young talent at receiver should be a boost to McClendon. The Canes’ passing offense this past season was ranked 10th nationally, good for 321.2 yards a game.
McClendon also is nationally regarded as a strong recruiter. He was 247Sports Recruiter of the Year in 2014.
Before his two-year stint at Oregon, McClendon served as South Carolina offensive coordinator/wide receivers coach in 2018 and 19 and as wideouts coach there in 2016 and 2017. He coached at his alma mater Georgia as a graduate assistant in 2007-08 and then as a running backs coach, recruiting coordinator, wide receivers/pass game coordinator and co-offensive coordinator through 2017. From 2009-15, the Bulldogs averaged 33.4 points per game, the second most in the SEC during the seven-year span. From 2011 to 2014, the Bulldogs had four of the top six seasons in Georgia history in total offense and three of the top five seasons for total touchdowns.
McClendon, a four-year letterman for the Bulldogs, graduated in 2005. During his tenure, Georgia won three SEC Eastern Division titles and two SEC championships. UM said his hiring is “pending completion of a standard University background check.’’
This story was originally published January 5, 2022 at 6:10 PM.
