ACC Football: 5 storylines to watch in spring 2019
By Dana Becker
3. Hurricanes went with known coach in Manny Diaz
Plenty of intrigue surrounds Miami and new head coach Manny Diaz this year. He replaces Mark Richt, who abruptly retired following a blowout loss to Wisconsin. Diaz had already accepted the head coaching position at Temple, but came back home to lead the Hurricanes.
During the offseason, Miami picked up a potentially huge signing, as former top prospect Tate Martell left Ohio State when Justin Fields opted to transfer from Georgia. Martell, who won multiple high school national titles at Bishop Gorman, is on campus and attempting to secure his eligibility to play this season.
For as strong as the skill positions are at Miami, the need to improve quarterback play – and thus, get Martell eligible – is key. With Martell running the show, the Hurricanes could have as explosive of an offense as they have had in years. Without him, the task falls to the shoulders of N’Kosi Perry, who struggled at times last year to get the job done.
We will find out just how good the spring was to Miami right off the bat, as the Hurricanes take on in-state rival Florida on Aug. 24 to begin the 150th anniversary season of college football.