CORAL GABLES, Fla. — On Tuesday, the University of Miami announced the termination of defensive coordinator Lance Guidry following a disappointing conclusion to the Hurricanes’ season, which was marked by defensive struggles in key matchups. Despite the team’s high-scoring offense, defensive shortcomings led to significant losses that ultimately prevented Miami from qualifying for the College Football Playoff.
During the season, Miami had boasted an impressive record of 50-0 in games where they scored at least 38 points and accumulated over 500 yards since the year 2000. However, the Hurricanes faltered in their last two outings, blowing a commanding 21-0 lead against Syracuse and falling 42-38, missing out on a shot at the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) championship game and a potential CFP berth. Their struggles continued in the Pop-Tarts Bowl, where they lost a close match to Iowa State by a score of 42-41.
Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal expressed his gratitude towards Guidry for his contributions to the program but emphasized the necessity for improvement. “In a continuous effort to always improve all aspects of our program, I have decided to make a change on defense,” Cristobal stated. He reiterated the team’s commitment to making decisions that would enhance their chances of success and player development.
Guidry held the defensive coordinator position for two seasons, and the Hurricanes’ defensive metrics this year reflected a decline in performance. While Miami ranked 27th nationally in yards surrendered per game, they were positioned 70th in points allowed per game, with only 18 takeaways across 13 contests. The latter part of the season saw a further drop, as the team was 97th in points given up during November and December, capitulating on several long plays that contributed to their losses against Syracuse and Iowa State.
The season concluded on a bitter note for Miami, despite their overall record of 10-3, especially given that their offense, led by standout quarterback Cam Ward, was among the most prolific in the nation. Ward set several school records, throwing for 39 touchdown passes and amassing 4,313 yards and 305 completions.
“When we win, we win as a team. When we lose, we lose as a team, as well,” Cristobal remarked after the defeat in the Pop-Tarts Bowl. He acknowledged some of the recurring issues within the team, including communication and alignment problems, which fell short of the standards the program aims to uphold.
