Coach Manny Diaz Optimistic On Football Starting In Fall

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In 2020, Zoom Meetings are now a new way of life.  The COVID-19 virus pandemic has shifted the way we exchange information in various arenas and sports press conferences broadcasted via zoom is the new normal.  Miami Hurricanes head football coach Manny Diaz addressed the media today via zoom conference and is confident that college football will be played as scheduled.

“I think there is going to be college football in the fall,” said Head Coach Manny Diaz with a zoom background of a Miami Hurricanes football game at Hard Rock Stadium at full capacity.  “I think a six week time period would be the minimum it would take to get our guys ready even though we have worked on contingencies if somehow it was less.” 

The state of Florida has plans to slowly reopen restaurants, shops, gyms, and libraries at 50% capacity starting Monday according to an announcement made by Governor Ron DeSantis Friday.  Although life will slowly be returning to normalcy, Coach Diaz emphasized that the health and well being of the team is the players’ responsibility.  

Head Coach @Coach_MannyDiaz talks about the preparation it would take to start the @CanesFootball season. @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/gkHda0YuCr

— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) May 15, 2020

“The next six weeks will be more important than the last six weeks because obviously now people will have a chance to become in more contact with one another than we were when we were all sheltered in place, and our players have to understand even if the data says that their age group is not at risk of serious illness, which again at this point we are still learning what that data point is, at the minimum you are talking about a two-week quarantine.”  

The Hurricane football team will rely on the university to inform them of when they can return to the office. The football staff continues to work from home and uses technology to keep players engaged in team activities.

“We do live in these little zoom boxes which kind of have been our normal,” said Coach Diaz.  “We are still working at home right now but in terms of going out, you follow the rules. When you go out, if you are in an area with a bunch of people then you wear a mask. We kind of gotta follow the game plan.  I think that’s why it’s so important for the leadership on a local level, state level, and national level to be consistent with our messaging in terms of what exactly we have to do.  Like any good team we have to follow along.”  

Miami Hurricanes Head Football Coach Manny Diaz

Miami will still rely on the university and government to decide when players will resume normal football-related activities.  The SEC is expected to vote next week on whether student-athletes can be on campus as soon as June 1st.  

According to 247 Sports, Miami currently ranks 12th in the nation with its 2021 recruiting class and third in the conference behind Clemson ranked 4th nationally and North Carolina currently ranked third in the nation.  Miami currently has 13 commits with 5 four-stars and 8 three-stars.  All 2021 Canes commits are from Southern Florida except for four-star tight end Elijah Arroyo out of Frisco, Texas who committed to the Hurricanes two weeks ago.  

100% COMMITTED pic.twitter.com/3gRtJwWCAi

— Elijah Arroyo (@arroyo_elijah36) May 4, 2020

“There is going to be an unpredictability to this recruiting cycle.  We are dealing with something we never dealt with before.  We’ve seen a number of kids that have committed and who knows if that will stick nationally. It’s just going to be different that’s the only thing you can say about this.”

Aside from recruits from the high school level, the Canes have helped to build their roster through the transfer portal. Most recently, four-star offensive tackle Issiah Walker out of Miami Norland Senior High School transferred to Miami from the University of Florida this month. Recruiting has more so than ever shifted to technology in 2020 with the current landscape and Miami has taken advantage of this unique time.

I’m staying home 🙌🏾🙌🏾 pic.twitter.com/rMS35kCaJw

— Issiah Walker⚡️ (@walker_issiah) May 9, 2020

“I really think this has been a boost for our recruiting efforts.  I think we’ve had a great opportunity during a timeframe that we would be in the midst of spring ball.  When everything stopped whether that was evaluating recruiting tape, whether that was getting onto a zoom call with our recruits, really fostering great relationships with some of the families of our recruits, I do think especially with some of the new members of our staff who are all outstanding recruiters, Coach Lashlee and Justice and Likens I think it’s really given us an opportunity to really play catch up in some spots and start to solidify some relationships in the recruiting process because everyone’s home.” 

Miami is rumored to be in contact with Taulia Tagovailoa the younger brother of former Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovalioa recently drafted 5th overall by the Miami Dolphins in the 2020 NFL draft.  The former Bama quarterback Taulia recently entered his name into the transfer portal and would be entering the upcoming season as a sophomore.  Miami was able to attract dynamic dual-threat quarterback D’Eriq King and 2021 NFL draft prospect and defensive end Quincy Roche at the beginning of the calendar year.  Both players are entering their final years of eligibility.

“We have the ability to add players.  We are always looking for ways to improve our football team. I don’t think there is a position that we are not targeting.” 

Keeping the current players engaged has been a challenge for the coaching staff according to Diaz but the focus is to keep hope alive in the minds to play football in the fall.  

“You’re trying to do anything you can to keep them engaged because it is difficult but like I said because the one thing that you have to sell at the end of the day is that you have to sell hope.  When you get to run through that smoke in September no one is going to remember when you were in your feelings on April 14th. It’s just going to be about how we perform.  You’re still trying to sell the idea of what I do today will make me play better in September when I’m allowed to play and that’s been our battle.”

The Hurricanes have high expectations going into the 2020 season even after a 6-7 losing season in 2019.  According to Sportsline.com Miami is favored to win the coastal division and play Clemson in the ACC Championship Game.