Miami Makes Sudden Coaching Change
Miami made a sudden coaching change this week.
Head coach Manny Diaz is adding former Arizona State offensive coordinator Rob Likens to the staff.
Likens will serve as Diaz’s new wide receivers coach.
According to the Miami Herald, the move is guaranteed – barring something unforeseen happening.
Likens has been Arizona State’s quarterbacks coach over the past two seasons and then was the receivers coach in 2017. He will help the Hurricanes’ new offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee right the ship from last season.
In a separate report, Bruce Feldman of The Athletic revealed that former Florida State tight ends coach Telly Lockette would also be joining Diaz’s staff as an offensive analyst.
Likens was previously fired by Arizona State head coach Herm Edwards last month.
Over the course of his career, Likens has worked at seven programs. He started at North Alabama in 1992.
Miami’s receiving group was supposed to be really strong heading into last season, but underwhelmed – much like the rest of the team.
The Hurricanes finished 2019 with a 6-7 mark and a loss in a bowl game that they were favored to win.
Miami’s leading receiver was graduate transfer KJ Osburn, who recorded 547 yards and five scores on 50 receptions.
Will Likens ultimately be able to turn Miami’s offensive attack into something to see? We’ll find out next season.
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Jennifer Withers Hoey is a former Business Development Manager who transitioned to writing about sports. With valuable connections all over the West Coast, she has used those contacts to break some of the most interesting stories pertaining to the Portland Trail Blazers, Oregon Ducks, LA Lakers, LA Clippers, Seattle Supersonics (RIP), and more.
