Miami Announces Its Next Running Backs Coach Explicitly
The hiring of a running backs coach by the Miami Hurricanes is another step in their ongoing coaching staff building project.
Tim Harris Jr.’s replacement is not a simple assignment. He was successful at The U and will continue to be so as the co-offensive coordinator at UCF. The next coach overseeing UM’s gifted running backs has a strong recruiting background in addition to a coaching background.
As of right moment, Matt Merritt is an official Miami assistant. His most recent coaching position was at USF, where UM’s official announcement states that he has made remarkable progress.
In 2023, USF recorded 5,871 total yards (451.6 per game), the third-best number in program history, and rushed for 182.8 yards per game (2,377 total yards), good for third place in the American Athletic Conference. USF scored 415 points, the fifth-highest total in team history, and was ranked No. 17 in the country in total offense.”
Previously, Power 5 coaches have worked as graduate assistants for Ohio State under legendary NFL running back Ezekiel Elliott and as offensive analysts for Tennessee under legendary offensive play caller and strategist Josh Heupel.
Merritt gained experience in managing several facets of a football game while serving as the running backs coach and assistant head coach at USF. He now understands everything, from how practices run to making decisions during games.
His coaching abilities and recruiting contacts are further enhanced by his stints at Georgia Southern, James Madison, Elon, Old Dominion, and Capital during his journey.
Working in Ohio (Ohio State, Old Dominican, and Capital), North Carolina (Elon), Georgia (Georgia Southern), Florida (USF), Tennessee (University of Tennessee), and Virginia (James Madison), Merritt has experience recruiting collegiate athletes.
