With 10 of 11 starters returning, the University of Miami is expected to have an explosive, high-scoring offense next season.
But the Hurricanes will have to do it without Jedd Fisch, who resigned after two seasons of running UM’s offense to become offensive coordinator with the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars.
Fisch, 35, is the first hire by Jacksonville coach Gus Bradley. Bradley and Fisch worked on Pete Carroll’s staff with the Seattle Seahawks in 2010. Fisch replaces Bob Bratkowski, a former UM assistant coach under Dennis Erickson, in Jacksonville.
“There are 32 NFL offensive coordinator jobs, and the opportunity to become the Jacksonville Jaguars’ offensive coordinator this year was based on all of the successes our program has had in the past two years,” Fisch said in a statement.
Fisch also held the title of quarterbacks coach at Miami and probably did his best work with his two starting quarterbacks — Jacory Harris in 2011 and Stephen Morris last season. Harris corrected his proclivity for turnovers and had his best season as a senior in 2011 under Fisch, and Morris directed the Hurricanes to 40 or more points in six games in 2012 during his first year as a starter.
There are no obvious choices on coach Al Golden’s staff to replace Fisch.
On Jan. 10, Mario Cristobal was named the Hurricanes’ new associate head coach and tight ends coach after six seasons as FIU’s head coach. But Cristobal has no experience calling plays in his previous posts.
Former Hurricanes receivers coach George McDonald likely would have gotten a crack at replacing Fisch, but he left to join Bret Bielema’s staff in the same role at Arkansas on Dec. 20. After only four weeks at Arkansas, McDonald resigned to become offensive coordinator at Syracuse, which is joining the ACC next season.
Fisch’s resignation comes at a difficult time in the recruiting schedule. The Hurricanes are looking to put the finishing touches on their 2013 class before National Signing Day on Feb. 6. Among those visiting UM’s campus this past weekend were Kevin Olsen, a highly rated quarterback from Wayne Hills, N.J., who has orally committed to the Hurricanes.
Fisch’s departure is not expected to affect Olsen’s decision, but that might not be the case with other recruits, including South Plantation running back Alex Collins — another weekend visitor to UM who is ranked No. 57 among ESPN’s top 150 high school players. Collins was originally committed to Miami before backing out last year. UM’s coaches were hoping to change Collins’ mind during his visit.
The offensive coordinator position has been a revolving door at UM. Since Rob Chudzinski ran Miami’s offense from 2001-03, five men have served as offensive coordinator in nine seasons. The four offensive coordinators prior to Fisch were all fired.
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