Postscripts, thoughts after the Miami Hurricanes' 14-0 Independence Bowl loss to Louisana Tech, dropping UM to 6-7 and ending the most disappointing UM season of the 21st century:
_Manny Diaz, barring a shocking change of heart, is going to get right the first painful but necessary step in fixing his offensive mess: parting ways with an offensive coordinator who simply wasn't a good fit for Miami.
What's more important than moving on from Dan Enos is that he gets the second step right after failing in his first try: finding an innovative mind who can jump-start one of major college football's most underperforming offenses.
A source confirmed Thursday's AP report that UM wants to make a change with its offensive coordinator, though Enos is still due significant money.
The ideal hire, as we've written, would be a coordinator who runs a high-octane, up-tempo spread offense.
One veteran college head coach said if Miami cannot find a relatively young but experienced up-and-comer who fits that description, he believes two short-term fixes could be former North Carolina coach Larry Fedora, a proponent of the spread who was an analyst on Texas coach Tom Herman's staff this season, or former Arizona/Michigan/West Virginia coach Rich Rodriguez, who is considered a pioneer of a no huddle, run-oriented version of the spread.
Rodriguez was offensive coordinator at Mississippi this season, and the Rebels were 29th in the nation in yards per game at 445.3. Miami was 90th at 378.9. But Mississippi averaged only 25.4 points per game, compared to 24.6 for Miami.
And here's a veteran name that would be on my list: Texas Tech offensive coordinator and quarterback coach David Yost, who this season guided an offense that was 11th in the country in average yardage (474.3) and scored 30.5 per game despite limited talent at receiver. He uses an up-tempo, spread-option offense and learned passing game concepts from Washington State's Mike Leach.
But let's be clear: UM needs more than a new coordinator. It needs a new scheme. It needs at least two new starters on the offensive line _ probably more _ because this unit isn't Power 5-caliber. And most importantly, UM needs a new quarterback, because it would be foolish to expect Jarren Williams or N'Kosi Perry to suddenly become consistent and reliable.
_ In conversations with family and associates, several players expressed frustration with Enos for several reasons, including his inability to run plays that would put less pressure on Miami's deficient offensive line; a moodiness and demeanor that could be considered abrasive by some; and playcalling.
Sources say Jarren Williams had issues with Enos, but frankly, Enos probably stuck with Williams longer than he deserved. He was 9 for 20 for 94 yards and an interception before being permanently lifted in the fourth quarter.
Williams failed to spot open receivers a bunch of times this season. And his accuracy _ a strength early in the season _ was consistently off the past three games, except during the too-little-too-late rally against FIU.
Could Williams thrive under a new coordinator? Perhaps, but I'm not hopeful, because developing quarterbacks was Enos' strength.
Tate Martell's one series looked like a disorganized fire drill, although it was impossible to tell if he had any receivers open downfield. And N'Kosi Perry _ in parts of two seasons _ has proved too unreliable to be a longterm starter. Perry was 5 for 13 for 52 yards and an interception Thursday.
One person in touch with the UM coaching staff said the Canes privately won't be unhappy if Williams looks to transfer. And they shouldn't be.
It's time to look for a new solution at the position. The preference here would be a grad transfer if the right one emerges, while impressive freshman Tyler Van Dyke acclimates to college football. If there's no grad transfer option, then give Van Dyke every chance to win the job next spring. Nothing Williams did in the past month suggests he should be considered the 2020 solution.
"Jarren continued to struggle to find guys," Diaz told WQAM, after noting that Williams was the best quarterback in practice the past two weeks. "Globally, we were poor. When you can't score a point, there's no excuse for that."
_ Here's what's most galling about UM's dismal offense: Texas scored 45, FIU scored 31, Southern Mississippi 30, Texas San Antonio 27 and Grambling 14 against this Louisiana Tech team. None of those teams _ other than Texas, obviously _ have any players that UM wanted. And those teams score far more against Louisiana Tech than Miami does?
Remember, Middle Tennessee scored 50, Tulane 42 and FAU 37 against an FIU team that held UM to 24.
Thursday's display was so deplorable that Canes great Ed Reed tweeted a vomit emoji.
_ The source who said UM would like to move on from Enos said offensive line coach Butch Barry is seriously at risk, too. Barry coached a unit that allowed the fourth most sacks in college football and couldn't create holes for a running game that was 120th in the country and averaged 2.6 yards per carry Thursday.
An associate of Barry said when he arrived at UM, he was shocked how bad the talent was on the offensive line. But he ultimately could do nothing to make it better.
_ Beyond the offensive ineptitude, UM too often played like a dumb team, including the senseless wasting of two timeouts in the third quarter Thursday.
And freshman linebacker Sam Brooks' late hit was inexecusable.
_ I reported Tuesday that a UM player said some players were unmotivated and disinterested in this game, and the UM offense was whipped by the scout team defense in practice last week.
Williams told Don Bailey Jr. on WQAM: "We were going through the motions" _ which is quite an indictment of the players. And the coaches were apparently helpless to motivate them.
Williams wasn't any good Thursday, but Enos did him no favors by not calling many screens.
_ One person in touch with UM said the Canes would vigorously pursue grad transfers to solve major problems, particularly on the offensive line. UM also is expected to pursue FIU kicker/grad transfer Jose Boregales, who announced Thursday that he will enter the transfer portal.
Borregales hit 14 of 18 field goals in 2018 and 21 of 29 field goal attempts this season, including 50- and 53-yarders against UM.
Borregales' brother, Andres, is committed to UM. He's the No. 1 ranked kicker in the 2021 class.
_ That aforementioned UM person said he wouldn't be surprised to see Lorenzo Lingard transfer. The five-star running back inexplicably didn't get a carry Thursday.
_ Credit the defense for generally strong work, aside from some missed tackles. Greg Rousseau had 1.5 sacks. Shaq Quarterman giving everything he had to this program _ on the field and during a spirited sideline speech.
If UM had 30 Quartermans, the program would be in a lot better shape.
"The guy gave us everything," Diaz said. "There is going to be an NFL team so lucky that Shaq Quarterman goes to that team."
_ This was only the third time this century that Miami finishes with a losing record. But this, to me, stands as the most disappointing Canes season this century because the weak schedule (beyond UF) should have produced at least 10 wins automatically.
UM finished 5-7 in 2007 and 6-7 in 2014.
_ Diaz, to WQAM: "We just couldn't make a play; very disappointed. That's something we've got to get fixed. Our effort was good; our guys competed. Getting points off turnovers has been an issue for us. You don't run the ball very well, so you're going to end up in third and long. That's the disappointing cycle that has led us to where we are."
