Why Ray Lewis says hiring Ed Reed is a ‘genius move,’ and Canes make another hire
A six-pack of Miami Hurricanes notes on a Monday:
▪ Count UM legend Ray Lewis among those thrilled by the Hurricanes’ hiring of Ed Reed as football chief of staff.
“It’s genius,” Lewis said on the red carpet outside an NFL event he hosted Friday night at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. “You got to do it. I don’t know his total role, but I don’t care what his role is. The impact of what he has done after college, then goes to the league next level, Hall of Fame, top 100 [player designation]. And one of my closest friends. Great move.
“With his expertise, he’s going to be able to help out in so many different areas. It’s like you say to yourself, ‘How does Ed Reed make sense?’ It makes sense a lot of ways. Recruiting, understanding film, understanding defense, understanding defensive backfield. Understanding from managing so many levels.”
And Lewis added this: “I truly believe if you remember when we were dominant, what was on the sideline? Former players. We did the recruiting. It’s always been that way. It will never change.”
Does Reed’s hiring make Lewis more inclined to be around the program more? “I’m so busy. I try to get back, but I’m crazy busy with things that change the world and help people.”
Former UM great Bernie Kosar also loves the move, saying Reed has a lot to offer.
“From the guy who wore No. 20 in 1983 for the national championship, I kind of look at Ed Reed as my little brother. From one No. 20 to another, I just absolutely love the succession for The U.”
▪ UM hired former FSU tight ends coach Telly Lockette as an offensive analyst, and the Canes believe he will be an asset in recruiting, too. Lockette previously served as head coach at Miami Central High and as offensive coordinator at Miami Northwestern. He lost his job at FSU because of the head coaching change.
“Telly is someone people trust and respect and having him part of the program is a win/win,” local recruiting analyst Larry Blustein said. “People in South Florida go back generations with him as a player and coach and know that he is a person of honor and character.”
Per NCAA rules, Lockette — in his position — cannot leave campus to recruit but can recruit on campus, meaning he can make phone calls and meet with prospects who visit campus.
The question is whether UM can hold on to him. Former UM assistant Larry Scott reportedly is leaving his job as UF’s tight ends coach to become head coach at Howard. Lockette could be a candidate to replace him on the Gators’ staff.
▪ Per sources, UM is moving its Sept. 19 home game against UAB to Thursday, Sept. 17 — five days after Miami hosts Wagner. That schedule change eliminates a conflict with the Jewish holiday Rosh Hashana and also gives Miami nine days to prepare for its Sept. 26 game at Michigan State.
▪ Unless a magistrate grants UM’s request for summary judgment, then we will soon be facing the unusual circumstance of a jury trial involving a prominent former coach (Al Golden) against the school that employed him. The civil trial has been set for May 11 in Miami-Dade County.
Golden claims UM hasn’t paid him all that the university was obligated to pay him when he was fired. UM has said that’s not true.
UM will likely ask that Golden’s other allegations - including unsafe practice field conditions — not be introduced into evidence because of relevance. Golden made that claim to his lawyer in an email that ended up in public records.
Depositions already have been taken with Golden, athletic director Blake James and others. It’s likely that both Golden and James, among others, will be called to testify during the trial.
A pre-trial settlement is viewed as unlikely, in part because Golden has behaved very emotionally about all of this. No television cameras are expected to be permitted in the courtroom, though journalists can attend and document the proceedings.
▪ Frank’s Gore reaction when I asked him last week about his level of optimism that UM football will become a power again: “We’ve been down for a long time. Kids are different now. When I went to Miami, I didn’t care how the facilities looked. I just wanted to win.”
▪ UM isn’t expecting any surprises on National Signing Day beyond learning whether DeLand four-star safety Avantae Williams will pick the Canes or Gators.
This story was originally published February 3, 2020 at 3:25 PM.
