Miami Football: There is no ‘I’ at the ‘U’ under Mark Richt

DURHAM, NC - SEPTEMBER 29: Head coach Mark Richt of the Miami Hurricanes watches on against the Duke Blue Devils during their game at Wallace Wade Stadium on September 29, 2017 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
DURHAM, NC - SEPTEMBER 29: Head coach Mark Richt of the Miami Hurricanes watches on against the Duke Blue Devils during their game at Wallace Wade Stadium on September 29, 2017 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Miami football is back. The Hurricanes are winning and Notre Dame is next. Still, there is a difference in this team versus the original “U.”

The Miami Hurricanes were so dominate yet polarizing back in the 1990s under Howard Schellenberger and Jimmy Johnson. They were so fascinating that ESPN not only did one story on the ‘U’ but a two part series that features a colorful background past.

Colorful meaning a team that lived off swagger and confidence. Those were the days when everyone wanted to be a part of the ‘U.’

However, now Mark Richt is the coach of the Miami Hurricanes. Richt doesn’t exactly have the reputation of an outlandish personality. Nor does he instill an environment of anything resembling the “in your face” taunting dominance of the Hurricanes.

No, Richt is more like the “Little House of the Prairie” or even closer to “Touched by an Angel” type of a leader. Richt came from Georgia and ran a very disciplined straight laced program.

No doubt, going from Athens, Ga., to Miami had to be a challenge in many ways. Although that may be true, Richt has his team totally bought in at 8-0. They are in complete control of their destiny if they can win out.

And Richt knows that swag comes from winning. Miami wouldn’t be the ‘U’ if the Hurricanes weren’t winning championships back then. Richt wants it bad. Is he the guy to put the ‘U’ back into the No. 1 spot at seasons end? Fans are gonna have to wait and see. And don’t underestimate the the drive that Richt has. He has the pulse of the Hurricanes.

Next: NFL Mock Draft 2018: Post-Week 10 edition

Regardless, there’s a buzz in Florida and it’s not the Gators or the Seminoles.