Miami Hurricanes lose third coach, now have lost three of 11 primary assistants
For the second time this offseason, the Arizona Cardinals have plucked a key assistant coach from the Miami Hurricanes’ staff.
Defensive backs coach Zac Etheridge, who joined the Canes a year ago, is leaving to become the Cardinals’ cornerbacks coach, CBS’ Matt Zenitz reported.
Earlier this month, new Cardinals coach Mike LaFleur poached UM running backs coach Matt Merritt for the same job with Arizona.
Etheridge is the third of UM’s eight 2025 position coaches to leave this offseason. Tight ends coach Cory Woodiel was the first; he took a job on the University of Mississippi staff.
UM coach Mario Cristobal is expected to fill all three positions in the weeks ahead.
Etheridge, a former safety at Auburn, joined the Canes as defensive pass game coordinator and defensive backs coach last offseason, after three years at Auburn and one year at Houston.
Of UM’s 11 coordinators or position coaches last season, the eight that remain are coordinators Shannon Dawson (offense), Corey Hetherman (defense), Danny Kalter (special teams) and position coaches Alex Mirabal (offensive line), Kevin Beard (wide receivers), Jason Taylor (defensive line), Damione Lewis (defensive tackles) and Will Harris (safeties).
