Whether he was ‘let go’, fired or his contract simply wasn’t renewed, the Patrick Nix era is officially over in Miami. The Hurricanes finished 89th in total offense and are 12-13 since Nix took over calling offensive plays.
Of course this is only half the battle. Ridding the program of Nix is huge, but even bigger is his eventual replacement. Randy Shannon settled on Nix last time around – after Kevin Sumlin (Oklahoma), John McNulty (Rutgers), John Bond (Northern Illinois) and first choice Dirk Koetter turned the gig down.
According to the Miami Herald, Nix stated that he wanted to run a more wide-open offense than he was allowed to.
”There were obvious philosophical differences between coach Shannon and I in offense. I wanted to be a little bit more wide open — no-huddle, spread out, go for it. And he wanted to be more two-back, conservative,” said Nix. “It was a fine line in trying to balance the two and not that one is better than the other. It’s just a different philosophy. Both ways can win, just different philosophies.”
Doesn’t sound to me like ‘different philosophies’ was the difference as much as the fact Nix couldn’t run a two-back offense. It also sounds like a one-sided parting shot by a now ‘former’ coach with one foot out the door. Saying he wanted to open it up more is oh so easy to do after the fact. Sounds to me like a man trying to save some face and making himself sound hireable regarding his next opportunity. (“Hey, it was me. It was the head coach. I really wanted to open things up. I didn’t deserve to get fired.”)
No huddle and a ‘spread it out’ offense definitely has a place in modern day college football, but at Miami everything goes through your running game. Always has, always will.
At no point the past two years was Nix ever able to establish the run. Part of that can be blamed on poor offensive line play and banged up running backs. Still, Miami’s ground game remained non-existent.
A lack of balance always plagued Nix, as did his predictability. Pounding it up the gut was the extent of his creativity, proving that running the ball didn’t come naturally to Nix. The concept was foreign to him.
Nix’s highlight games at UM were two solid offensive showings against Texas A&M, as well as a gadget play-filled second half against Florida State this past October. Down 24-3 at the half, Nix went to his grab bag of gimmicky plays and found some reverses and a halfback pass that resulted in a score.
When it came to consistency and methodically moving the ball, Nix failed. Miami averaged 326 yards per game this season. Only thirty other Football Bowl Subdivision schools did worse. Regarding the 27 points per game average, Nix’s Canes were 52nd of 119 schools.
Nix may say he wanted to run a more ‘wide open’ offense, but that doesn’t mean he knew how to pull off the feat. I ‘want’ to be a rock star. I ‘want’ to see the Canes in the thick of things every year. Wanting and doing are two different things.
Before folks get get caught up in Nix’s coachspeak, remember the product you saw on the field the past few years. A complete lack of identity. Trying to run the ball one week. Direct snaps to the running back the next. A second half full of trick plays after a first half where nothing worked.
Nix and Shannon may have had different philosophies, but in the end the only thing proven – Nix couldn’t make either philosophy work in over two years. That signals time for chance.
Next up, the hire of a new offensive coordinator. Curious to see how Randy plays this. Makes you wonder if someone is in mind. Whatever the case, there is no margin for error with this next hire. Nix was the Canes’ fourth offensive coordinator hired in a four year span. Fifth, if you could co-coordinator Todd Berry, who was on board during the Rich Olson era… which was after the Dan Werner era… which took place after the Rob Chudzinski era.
Does Koetter get the heave-ho in Jacksonville and trek south, to the job he almost took two years ago this week? What about former Cane and the recently released Chudzinski? No longer at Cleveland, does Shannon put in the call to the man who was offensive coordinator when he was running the defense? Or is there an unknown Shannon has in mind?
Koetter still seems a viable option if things go south in Jax. A deal was in place two years ago but the Jags offer was one he couldn’t refuse. Chud? Doubtful. Doesn’t make sense for him to backslide and return to a place where he had some past glory. That’s a career no-no.
Whatever the case, there’s reason to take a deep breath tonight and appreciate what just took place. Two years on the job and Shannon has now canned a defensive coordinator and an offensive coordinator. Guys weren’t getting it done and were quickly removed from the equation. Lesser head coaches would’ve stood by their men and simply hoped they’d come around. Randy knew better. Big move on his part and rumor has it a few more firings are coming. Stay tuned.
One parting thought… As frustrating as this rebuilding process can be at times, I truly wish no ill will on any of these coaches or players. Regarding Nix, he worked his ass off the past two years – as all coaches do. I realize that and for that, I thank him. That said, he didn’t get the job done and when you fail at your day-to-day, you’re let go. It’s the nature of the game.
I truly wish he and his family the best and pray Team Nix lands on their feet.
Agree fully with the comments on Nix.
Curious as to your thoughts on the O-line.
They seem to me to be the weakest unit on the team. How much of this is is related to the offensive coordinator vs O-line coach or just players that didn’t reach their potential. I’ve heard little to nothing re Oline coach. It seems that our running backs are often trying to break tackles before they can even reach the line of scrimmage and without play action Harris had no time to go through any progressions.
JG – The offensive line is a joke and has been since 2001. Art Kehoe definitely deserved to go, but Jeff Stoutland hasn’t lit things up. Even from a recruiting standpoint, kids like Reggie Youngblood, AJ Trump and others came in highly touted and were poorly developed.
Stoutland is proving to be a tireless recruiting, but as an offensive line coach he isn’t getting it done. I wouldn’t be surprised to him as one of the heads that rolls pretty soon.
Wesley McGriff’s secondary is also developing poorly (Chavez Grant and Demarcus VanDyke aren’t developing, while Anthony Reddick flat out backslid.)
Randy Shannon will go up a few points in my book if Nix, Stoutland and McGriff are the three who are let go. Those were Miami’s weakest links offensively. Firing those guys is absolute proof he means business and is committed to turning this thing around.
i feel bad for nix but good for miami.
it was impressive of shannon to get this done decisively and quickly; it shows resolve and vision.
PRAISE THE LORD OHHH PRAISE THE LORD.
randy shannon is a better recruiting larry coker.. he’s just firing people at will to earn himself a couple more years.
and anyone with two eyes could have seen that nix wanted to run a no huddle spread, and it was obvious he wasn’t allowed too.. would you hire gus malzahn and try to make him run a 2 back set when he wants to run a wide open offense? and if he doesn’t succeed running an offense that’s not in line with his philosophy would you just write it off as ” he can’t run a two back system”
This team has much bigger problems than one OC. This team is much farther behind than most thought.
Rob Chudzinski.
Does anyone agree that this is a fit for Miami??
Someone who was a Cane. Use to be a coordinator for them.
ZarOkoN
We have to get back to running the football: pounding the football. The one game where Nix really impressed me was the loss to NC State last year. He knew Freeman couldn’t complete a pass but he used the power I the whole game and we ran for 350 yards.
But he got away from that with his handpicked QB, Marve who personally did Nix in the same way Kyle Wright did Rich Olsen and Dan Werner in. Nix stuck with Marve and in the end was a victim of what he sowed. (Yes, I believe Marve should transfer. Prior to the GT game I predicted Marve would start his final game for UM that week because he’d be so bad on the road on the big stage. I was right and wrong: Randy and Nix gave him an unwarranted start the next week and we once again paid the price.)
A good offensive coordinator choice would be Gary Nord from FAU. As much as our fans would go nuts about hiring a coach from FAU, Nord runs the traditional UM/Schnelly pro style and with the budget for paying assistants tight at UM, he would be a decent fit for the right price.
Would Dan Christianson(i think I spelled it correct) out of Mizzou be a name that could be tossed around? I don’t think he’ll ever win a NC at Mizzou and he did run a good offense.
I don’t know what Nix had in mind but he should know that Miami is a pro style school and doesn’t run the spread. That’s why we have put so many players in the NFL. I’m sure he talked to Shannon before he took the job on what kind of offense he would/could run, so taking a shot at Shannon isn;t really called for. That said, I hate for anyone to lose their job in today’s economy and hopefully he can find something else. That said, I hope Shannon has a plan and acts decisively. There were too many games where we could not move the ball and won because of our defense. I will be watching this play out and hope we get someone with some experience and who can react to defenses in-game. In this league of tough defenses, if we can get a dynamic offense, it can make all the difference. I think this was a necessary decision for the better of the program. Good luck to Nix, but things never fit right.
-Columbus Cane
Here’s the audio! Click on this link to hear Shannon’s comments the day after on the Joe Rose morning show.
http://www.wqam.com/index.php?page=347
It is the interview titled ‘Randy Shannon with Big Dog 12-30.
As usual Shannon doesn’t say a whole lot. But he says enough!
He’s not dwelling or harboring ill feelings over Nix’s comment. And he’s total prepared to just move on if Marve wants to leave. Too bad I’m not, as I still want him to stay and get better.
Enjoy all! And have a wonderful New Year.
I couldn’t be happier for our team as his calls were simply too vanilla !!! But I sure don’t want to start a coaching carousel like we did a few years back…..we need stability for Jacory and the others !!! And how’s about this Chambers kid…..looked good on the few runs he had. Miami football is getting exciting again….2010 baby !!!!!!
Let’s go ‘Canes…..
big pimpin
From Manny’s list, the best candidate is Chuck Long. He coached Oklahoma in two national championships and he developed a Heisman quarterback, Jason White. Oklahoma is still good today because of the current OC, Kevin Wilson.
I can’t think of a better program to emulate offensively than Oklahoma. They run and throw the ball. They use the TE and a FB. They use so many receivers, only the QB stands out. They develop Heisman QB’s and their QB’s are going #1 in the draft. Mr. Long, com’on down!
I just saw miami herald article stating Marve has requested and been given ok to transfer. No surprise. Truth is, I think he wouldn’t start next year anyway. I think he would have been better off staying and competing for the qb spot at miami. He certainly got the bulk of playing time last year.He reminded me alot of Kyle Wright. I believe he will have to sit a year. Hopefully Miami will never use the 2 qb system again. Now Jacory has the qb job and deservedly so. It will be interesing to see how the future plays out for Marve. Regardless of where he lands he’ll have to earn the spot. It’s not a given anywhere.
We should all wish Marve well. In the end this may be best for him and also for the U.
Wow you’re killing me Allcanes!
Who was worse Coker as a HC or Nix as an OC?
Yet, you murdered Coker on his way out and here you are wishing well to Nix. He was absolutely horrific as you correctly pointed out. At least Coker coached us through a couple of undefeated seasons (OSU game we got robbed) and a nat’l championship and another (again OSU game we got robbed) AND what are always forgotten: an Orange bowl against FSU and a Peach bowl against UF.
Coker may not have sustained a legendary program like the U because of poor recruiting but he produced in other areas (including getting Berlin to pull a 4 TD 2nd half comeback against the Gators)
Sorry to rehash old memories but I still stand by Coker. While Nix can go to…
Its a U thing, you wouldn’t understand.
Only the Miami family understands this. Randy must bring back family members that understand what Miami football is all about to bring us back to national prominence. Where is Gary Stevens? I would offer Chud an Assistant or Associate Head Coaching/Offensive Coordinator position with some real dollars and big incentives based on scoring/winning. Bowden did the same with Chuck Amato. Bowden has three “Associate/Executive Head Coaches” on his staff. Chud will never be an NFL head coach. He wont land an NFL offensive coordinator position next year after not making a name for himself with the Browns. He knows he is much better off being Miami’s Associate Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator then a tight ends coach in the NFL.
I just heard that Robert “Cry baby” Marve has been granted his transfer!
The hell with NIX. He says he wanted to run the spread but couldnt because of ONION. Well I guess you couldnt figure out how to run the ball either. You and Marve can maybe hook up at some directional school together and throw a pity party…Bye bye to both of you..I just ask the next OC to please have an identity and stick with it..
I have to agree completely with the Bowden “Assoc./Exec Head Coach” comment re: Chud. Go Canes.
anyone with two eyes could have seen that nix wanted to run a no huddle spread, and it was obvious he wasn’t allowed too.. would you hire gus malzahn and try to make him run a 2 back set when he wants to run a wide open offense? and if he doesn’t succeed running an offense that’s not in line with his philosophy would you just write it off as ” he can’t run a two back system”
Nix came to Miami with a very light resume. He was all but out at GT when Randy came calling.
I don’t care what Nix wanted to run — he needed to run what his head coach wanted. In two years, Nix couldn’t run the ball and his so-called vision seemed to change weekly.
He may have ‘wanted’ to run spread and no huddle, but does he really know how? If he did, where was it with 2:41 left in the Emerald?
Wow you’re killing me allCanes! Who was worse Coker as a HC or Nix as an OC? Yet, you murdered Coker on his way out and here you are wishing well to Nix.
He was absolutely horrific as you correctly pointed out. At least Coker coached us through a couple of undefeated seasons…
(1) Coker was a worse head coach than Nix an OC. Nix will get another job. Larry will remain in the booth.
Coker was handed arguably the best college football team ever. The cupboard was full. In a matter of years, he drove it into the dirt. I give him little credit for what he did here when his only job was to NOT screw up. He rode talent for years, which made up for awful coaching.
(2) Nix said his bit and left. Days before the firing and right up through today, Coker still felt like he was doing a good job and is baffled as to why he got canned.
(3) I judge the head coach harder than a position coach.
(4) Nix is 37 years old and is learning. Coker is an old man with decades of experience. He finally got his dream job as a head coach and he blew it in the worst possible way.
(5) Larry Coker is the reason Miami even ended up with a Patrick Nix. If the old man came in with an agenda and did his job, we aren’t having this conversation. Miami is still on a USC-like roll.
Rob Chudzinski. Does anyone agree that this is a fit for Miami??
Not at all. First, you don’t go backwards in your career.
Chud is and fifth-year NFL assistant, with aspirations of being a head coach. Only way he’s back at Miami is as head coach.
Also, the revisionist history with Chud comes on harder with every OC fire in his wake (Werner, Olson and now Nix).
Chud got it done ’01-’02 with Dorsey and his arsenal of players, but never got rolling with Berlin. Where was Chud’s O in the 31-7 loss at Virginia Tech or 10-6 loss to Tennessee?
He was also eaten up by Ohio State’s D in the Fiesta, when he had Dorsey, W-Mac, A.J. and K2.
Would Dan Christianson(i think I spelled it correct) out of Mizzou be a name that could be tossed around? I don’t think he’ll ever win a NC at Mizzou and he did run a good offense.
He Coaches for Idaho now right..? didnt he just get hired..