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CORAL GABLES, Fl - With less than 24 hours away from the new year, the Miami Hurricanes have made a crucial change for the program's future. Defensive coordinator Lance Guirdy has been let go.
The Hurricanes were ranked 40th in total defense this year but it constantly looked like the worst in program history and Guirdy was in charge of it. Constant big plays down the field with a secondary that looked lost at any given time moment and didn't let a simple motion concept be called and a touchdown was automatic for opposing team.
Against FBS opponents, Miami finished 70th in scoring defense (26.7 PPG), 50th in 3rd Down Defense (37.75%) and 82nd in takeaways (1.3),
Guirdy in his second year looked to have promise after a great defensive job during his first season. Now with clear glasses, it was more of the players lead defense than a coach's one.
Mario Cristobal issues the following statement on the decision:
“I want to first thank Coach Guidry for his contributions to the University of Miami. In a continuous effort to always improve all aspects of our program, I have decided to make a change on defense. We will move forward and make decisions that provide our players, staff, and program the best opportunity to win and develop at the highest level.”
Guirdy in his second year looked to have promise after a great defensive job during his first season. Now with clear glasses, it was more of the player's lead defense than a coach's one.
The Hurricanes will now begin its search for their third defensive coordinator of the Cristobal Era, following Guidry and Kevin Steele.
READ MORE FROM MIAMI HURRICANES ON SI:
The Hurricanes Squander The Final Game of the Season Away, Failing to Crush Iowa State
The Cam Ward Era is Over for Miami, but will Never be Forgotten
Ward and George Opt Out at Halftime, Quit on Their Team
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Ryan Grubb's offense could be a recipe for disaster at Alabama
The first year under the new Kalen DeBoer era didn’t conclude with the championship hopes that the Alabama Crimson Tide were expecting. The Tide finished the season with a 9-4 record and a tough loss to the Michigan Wolverines in the ReliaQuest Bowl. Among the biggest faults for the Tide last season was the inconsistency of the offense. DeBoer expects the offense to click under new offensive coordinator and longtime Fresno State and Washington assistant Ryan Grubb. On July 31, Grubb discussed the offense that the Tide will be using this upcoming season. Grubb said in the Tide’s second fall practice that Alabama will be running a pro-style offense with a dynamic passing attack. This type of offense would be great for past experienced quarterbacks like Bryce Young or Tua Tagovailoa. There are, however, some concerns with this offensive style, especially Grubb's lackluster performance last season in the same role with the Seattle Seahawks. Last season, the Seahawks ranked eighth in passing yards per game (236.5) behind the great play of quarterback Geno Smith and wide receivers Jaxon Smith-Njigba and DK Metcalf. They were also 18th in the league in points per game (22.1) as they were often inefficient in the red zone and third-down conversions. One of the reasons was the offense’s lack of usage of the run game. Seattle had 383 running plays, which was the fifth fewest in the league. As a result, the Seahawks ranked 28th in rushing yards per game (95.7) and 29th in first downs by runs (88). While a bad offensive line was competent, Grubb relied on the passing offense, which made them predictable. One of the reasons the Tide’s offense struggled late in the season despite a Heisman-like performance from quarterback Jalen Milroe was that they were too predictable in the passing game. While Grubb will look to make the Tide more dynamic in the passing game, they’ve already shown they won’t rely on a run game early and often. The Tide will have a new starting quarterback this fall, likely redshirt junior Ty Simpson. While Simpson has shown progress this offseason, there is going to be a lot of pressure on him to carry the offense if they choose to run a pass-heavy pro-style offense. This form of offense under a second-year head coach, with DeBoer still trying to prove himself, could be a recipe for disaster and make the offense stagnant and underachieving. Time will tell if Milroe’s last season collapse was due to the offense being a product of the laziness in play-calling. This could be a similar situation that might have DeBoer and Grubb in trouble, this time in their stint together at Alabama.
Blue Jays demolish MLB records with eye-popping Coors Field performance
DENVER — There's nothing like coming to Coors Field to fix what ails you. Just ask the Toronto Blue Jays. Losers of six of eight games before arriving in Denver, the Blue Jays posted an MLB-record 63 hits in a three-game series while easily sweeping a road series from the Colorado Rockies. By totaling 25 hits on Monday night, 14 on Tuesday and 24 in Wednesday's matinee, the Blue Jays set a new MLB standard for offensive prowess. Toronto passed the MLB record of 62 hits in a three-game series, set by the Boston Red Sox in a June 7-9, 1950 matchup against the St. Louis Browns. As part of the hit parade, Toronto smashed 13 home runs, the most ever surrendered by the Rockies in a three-game set. Included in that barrage were three hits by Bo Bichette, including a three-run shot on Wednesday afternoon that got the Blue Jays rolling in the third inning. Kyle Freeland, Wednesday's starter for Colorado, allowed seven hits in his 4.2 innings of work. That was the fewest amount of hits given up by a Rockies starter against Toronto, as Rockies starter Tanner Gordon allowed 11 in 2.2 frames on Monday, while Anthony Molina surrendered nine in 5.0 innings on Tuesday. "We need to pitch with confidence as starting pitchers. We need to command the baseball better in general," said Rockies interim manager Warren Schaeffer as his team slipped to 30-84 on the season. "We have to put hitters away when we have that opportunity." That was something Colorado couldn't do against the Blue Jays on Wednesday, as their first six runs of a 20-1 blowout win came with two outs in the frame. Wednesday's offensive explosion helped Toronto outscore the Rockies, 45-6, in the series. That run differential was the second-most in MLB's modern era and the most runs scored by an MLB team in a three-game series since the 2019 Chicago Cubs scored 47 runs against the Pittsburgh Pirates from Sept. 13-15, 2019. In all, the 45 runs, 63 hits and 13 home runs allowed in the series were each the most allowed by Colorado pitchers in a three-game set in franchise history. How bad did it get for Colorado at the end of the series? Down 12-1 entering the ninth inning on Wednesday, the Rockies put catcher Austin Nola on the mound for his first-ever pitching appearance. He was nothing like his younger brother, Philadelphia Phillies ace Aaron Nola, as he promptly gave up four consecutive doubles, including RBI shots from Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr., as part of eight hits and eight runs posted by the Blue Jays against him. "It hurts when you get beat that bad for three games," Nola said. "We can compete with anybody. I know we can. We're all Major League players, so it definitely hurts. We're going to have to flush this one and get back out there on Friday in Arizona and have a new competitive attitude." All quotations obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.
Patriots stars react to HC Mike Vrabel getting bloodied while breaking up camp fight
New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel likely won the respect of his team Wednesday. However, he may have needed a few stitches afterward. The Patriots hosted a joint practice with the Washington Commanders at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. New England rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson took a Commanders pass-rusher to the ground in pass protection, resulting in a scuffle. Vrabel then jumped in to help stop the fight. His face was bloodied after both teams calmed down. Patriots second-year quarterback Drake Maye loved that his coach was willing to step in. In a news conference after practice, the 22-year-old passer said that's the mentality the team needs. "That's what we're trying to build," he said. "The intensity, bringing it every day, taking no cr-p when we're out on the field. But also, it comes a time where, with our guys offensively, and getting over there and getting some tussles and kind of having some penalties, and extra after the whistle, can get us in trouble. But for mentality, I like it. I mean, I almost got in there, but I think maybe another day, maybe." His new coach doesn't want the QB to get in any brawls. The Patriots are banking on the third overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft being the franchise's future. Plus, he doesn't need to worry about the Patriots' intensity with Vrabel in the building. New England wide receiver DeMario Douglas noted the former linebacker didn't seem rattled after breaking up the scrap. "I said, 'Coach, what's wrong with you?' And he said, 'You should have seen the other guy,'" Douglas told the media while smiling. "I just saw the scar on his face but didn't know what was happening." Vrabel likely sent two messages at Wednesday's practice. He won't tolerate an undisciplined team but also has his players' backs. That could go a long way for a Patriots squad aiming to improve after a 4-13 season.
Commanders offense suffers in joint practice with Patriots
The Washington Commanders gave their coaching staff a glimpse of what could be if the front office's negotiations with star wide receiver Terry McLaurin result in a trade. It wasn't good. Per Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic, McLaurin's absence crushed the Commanders' passing offense during their joint practice Wednesday with the New England Patriots. Not even newcomer Deebo Samuel could save the unit. "With Terry McLaurin and Noah Brown both out, the Commanders’ lack of receiving depth has been a glaring issue in recent practices, especially so on Wednesday," Jhabvala wrote. "Deebo Samuel, a versatile playmaker who can be a chess piece for offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, doesn’t (and shouldn’t) take on the workload expected of a leading wideout or even a No. 2. "And so far, none of the Commanders’ 10 other receivers has emerged as consistent playmakers or a reliable pass catcher capable of taking on more." Washington has to find a way to pay McLaurin soon. He's too critical to the offense and, more importantly, to the long-term development of second-year quarterback Jayden Daniels. McLaurin had his best career season in 2024, catching 82 passes for 1,096 yards and 13 touchdowns in Daniels' rookie season. He earned Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors for his efforts. The Commanders made aggressive moves like trading for Samuel in the offseason, not to be a No. 1 wide receiver, but to help take a team that overachieved in 2024 and get them past the Philadelphia Eagles, who knocked them out in the NFC Championship game. Washington needs McLaurin on the field to help free up its other weapons like Samuel and Austin Ekeler or last season may end up just being a fluke.
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