Director of athletics Blake James addressed the report that recently-hired linebackers coach Travis Williams is leaving to be the defensive coordinator at UCF:
“I don’t know anything being official yet,” James said Tuesday afternoon. “Obviously I’ve heard the speculation that Travis has an opportunity to be a defensive coordinator and work with coach (Guz) Malzahn at Central Florida. If you look at it from that perspective, it’s an opportunity for him to better improve his situation because that is not his role here with us.”
James continued as he was asked about if he was disappointed about the quick departure:
“I think any time someone leaves you’re disappointed, the timing is part of the industry that we live in. I think you’d be hypocritical to question on one case, but be fine with it when it benefits you with others. I accept that it’s part of the industry. Obviously you’d hate to lose people who are great coaches and great parts of a staff. Unfortunately I haven’t had the chance to meet Travis yet in person given the COVID situation and lack of ability to really interact within the department. If the rumors are in fact true that he is going to become the defensive coordinator at Central Florida, it’s something that’s disappointing, but I would understand and obviously be supportive as I would with any of our staff that would have an opportunity to improve their position in life and do what’s best for them and their family.”
One notable way it affected Miami was when current head coach Manny Diaz left Temple after taking the head coaching job there just three weeks earlier back in 2018.
More details coming.
Christopher Stock has covered the Miami Hurricanes since 2003 and can be reached by e-mail at [email protected] and on Twitter @InsideTheU.
