Podcast: Why Guidry to Miami is exciting. And what it tells us about Cristobal’s thinking
The Miami Hurricanes rebounded quickly after Kevin Steele left for the Alabama Crimson Tide, plucking Lance Guidry away from the Tulane Green Wave to become their new defensive coordinator.
Who exactly is Guidry, though? David Wilson and Susan Miller Degnan, the Miami Herald’s Hurricanes beat writer, dive into this question on a new episode of the Eye on the U podcast, examining what the 51-year-old coordinator will bring to Miami and what it tells us about coach Mario Cristobal’s thinking.
At least three more new coaching hires are on the horizon, with two more vacancies on offense, including one at offensive coordinator, and one more on defense.
With Guidry’s hire, Charlie Strong is also leaving his post as linebackers coach, which gives Cristobal and Guidry an even greater opportunity to reshape the Hurricanes’ defense.
Although Guidry is still a relative unknown with limited experience at the highest levels, the recent results are undeniable. The national rankings for his Marshall Thundering Herd defense last year are, frankly, incredible. Marshall ranked:
- sixth in scoring defense,
- eighth in total defense,
- sixth in opposing yards per play,
- 13th in sacks,
- 20th in tackles for loss,
- fourth in rushing defense,
- second in opposing completion percentage,
- 27th in passing defense,
- sixth in interceptions
- and fifth in takeaways.
It prompted Tulane to hire him last month and the Hurricanes to pry him away from the Green Wave less than three weeks later. After it went all in on highly established coaches with loaded resumes, Miami is deviating from its old strategy by going with an up-and-coming assistant coach to run its defense.
It could be a good sign for the offense, too. The Hurricanes need a major change on offense and it’s encouraging to see Cristobal to think a little bit outside the box.
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