The natural next step after hanging up the cleats is for players to transition into coaching. But what’s happening at Miami? It’s definitely an anomaly. You’ve got Mario Cristobal, the Miami Hurricanes head coach, who’s been building this program piece by meticulous piece. But after a season that ended in some serious CFP heartbreak and a talent drain, the Hurricanes have had to switch gears.

Losing key pieces to the NFL and the transfer portal has made this offseason an uphill battle. Yet, in the face of adversity, Cristobal has turned to a familiar name, a rising force in the front office who has quickly climbed the ranks in Miami. It’s a move that speaks volumes about the Hurricanes’ vision for the future, even as roster concerns—especially at wide receiver—continue to loom over the program.

Miami’s defense saw some shake-ups, and yeah, that means new coaches for the players. But they’re also seeing some familiar faces stepping up. Devontay Love-Taylor, who joined the Hurricanes less than a year ago as an assistant director of player personnel, just got a promotion. He’s now Miami’s director of player personnel. That move, first reported by 247Sports’ Matt Zenitz, shows how much Mario Cristobal trusts his staff to keep things running smoothly, even when things get a little unpredictable. Love-Taylor’s rise? It’s been crazy fast, but it’s no shocker when you look at his Florida football roots. Playing at both FIU and Florida State, he knows the recruiting scene in that state better than most.

This promotion doesn’t just reward his quick ascent—it positions him as a key architect of Miami’s roster in a period of transition. And with the Hurricanes needing to replenish their receiver corps after losing Xavier Restrepo and Jacolby George to the NFL, as well as Isaiah Horton transferring to Alabama, his job just got a lot more important.

Love-Taylor’s background makes him uniquely suited for this role. He was a cornerstone of FIU’s offensive line, earning all-conference honors in 2019 as the Panthers ranked sixth nationally in sacks allowed per game. His ability to assess and develop talent comes from experience, not just observation. After transferring to Florida State, he became a stabilizing presence up front, playing in 32 games and making 16 starts.

The blend of playing experience and recruiting acumen makes him an asset Miami can lean on as they navigate a critical stretch in their rebuild. He’s been in the trenches, quite literally, and understands what it takes to shape a competitive roster. His connection to the Miami program, however, comes with a twist of irony.

Love-Taylor was on the opposing sideline when Florida State delivered the knockout punch that sent Miami spiraling into a coaching change. The infamous ‘4th & 14’ play in 2021—a Jordan Travis-to-Andrew Parchment miracle—sealed a 31-28 Seminoles victory, ultimately leading to the firing of then-Hurricanes coach Manny Diaz.

That loss forced Miami’s hand, and in came Mario Cristobal, lured away from Oregon to resurrect a once-proud program. Fast forward a few years, and now Love-Taylor finds himself playing a pivotal role in Cristobal’s rebuild. The very player who was part of the loss that led to a coaching overhaul is now one of the architects of Miami’s future.

But despite the reshuffling off the field, there’s no escaping Miami’s glaring need for playmakers. On3’s JD PicKell emphasized the urgency, noting that Miami must act quickly to address its depleted receiving corps. The Hurricanes’ top three targets from last season are gone, leaving a void that must be filled if they hope to stay competitive.

While recruiting and the transfer portal provide opportunities to reload, the challenge will be finding instant-impact players capable of producing from day one. Love-Taylor’s role in identifying and securing those pieces will be crucial, as Miami can’t afford to let offensive shortcomings derail their progress. Cristobal has built his reputation on discipline, toughness, and an eye for talent, and his latest move signals confidence in the infrastructure he’s assembling.

Everyone is new in Mario Cristobal’s Canes defense

After a frustrating 2024 season where defensive struggles kept Miami out of the ACC title game and College Football Playoff, Mario Cristobal decided enough was enough. His solution? A near-total defensive staff reset.

With Miami firing DC Lance Guidry, who then landed at LSU, things got shaken up. DL coach Joe Salave’a also took off, heading to his alma mater, Arizona. Out of last year’s defensive unit, only one assistant, defensive line coach Jason Taylor, stuck around. The rest? It’s all new—new faces, new voices, and a whole new approach.

Leading the charge is new defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Corey Hetherman, who wasted no time assembling his staff. He brought in Damione Lewis to coach the defensive tackles, Zac Etheridge to oversee the defensive backs, and Will Harris to handle the safeties. With all the change, Hetherman knows the key is building chemistry fast.

“Everyone’s new,” Hetherman said. “Even whether you’ve been here, you’ve been here two years, you’ve been here three years, it’s a different defense, it’s a different style.”

It’s not just about learning a new system—it’s about getting every level of the defense on the same page. “Just for everyone, getting to know one another, getting to know the rooms, getting everyone to connect. That’s what it’s all about—getting the DBs to play with the linebackers, the linebackers to communicate with the D-line.” Losing top WRs really had coach Mario change the whole coaching staff.