That Hurtt: Hurricanes Defensive Line Coach Leaves for Louisville

The Miami Hurricanes currently have the 17th-ranked recruiting class, according to Rivals.com, and some may consider that poor if you believe that player rankings are an accurate measure of how a player will turn out.

Historically when Miami has been good they didn’t necessarily have the best recruiting classes, according to the rankings. The Hurricanes have historically recruited players who fit their system rather than ones who were highly ranked, according to a service like Rivals or Scout.

Well things are about to change with all indications pointing to Miami recruiting coordinator and defensive line coach Clint Hurtt leaving for Louisville. Many Hurricane fans may not realize the significance of this on the surface, but it is a significant event, especially this close to National Signing Day.

Hurtt is the man who orchestrated the recruitment of Miami's No. 1-ranked recruiting class in 2008 and has been responsible for recruiting some of our best players over the years. In his role as defensive line coach, he has coached former Hurricanes Vince Wilfork, Damione Lewis, Calais Campbell, Baraka Atkins, and many others.

As of late, the defensive line play has not been where it needs to be, but you can argue that youth and injuries have played a major factor in that area. The main reason this stings a bit is because the Hurricanes were hoping to finally enjoy some stability on their coaching staff.

Instead for the third-straight year under Randy Shannon’s tenure as head coach, we lose a coordinator, which means we have lost two defensive coordinators, an offensive coordinator, offensive line coach, and defensive line coach over the span of four years. 

Stability on the coaching staff is a key to success for major programs, and at some point, the Hurricanes will need to get there.

Shannon was a great recruiter, but we lost that when he became head coach, as his other duties prevent him from going on the road. Hurtt learned the trade from Shannon and is one of the best young recruiters in the country, which is the reason Charlie Strong brought him to Louisville.

It is a bit shocking since Hurtt graduated from Miami and played for the Hurricanes—you typically don’t have ex-players leave unless it is a significant upgrade over their current job.

It is rumored that Miami is targeting former Hurricane great Kevin Patrick to replace Hurtt on the staff. Patrick is currently coaching the defensive line at South Florida. If Patrick is indeed the replacement, then I firmly believe our defensive line play will get better, and we won’t miss a step in that area.

Where the drop off may occur is in the recruiting ranks because Hurtt was not the given the recruiting coordinator job for nothing. This crucial area of the team will need to be addressed, and a person who is capable and knowledgeable of Miami’s recruiting habits will need to be appointed.

Looking at the current staff, I believe it will be Jeff Stoutland or Wesley McGriff, both of whom are prominent on the recruiting trail and have personally signed many of Miami’s recruits in recent years. 

We will wait and see what decisions are made by Shannon. He is going to bring in former Hurricanes if at all possible, which can’t be a bad thing.