Eye on the U: Miami’s grand Alonzo Highsmith run comes to an end. What did we learn?

The Miami Hurricanes had a dramatic shakeup this week after a quiet start to the summer, with one coach leaving, another joining, and a significant behind-the-scenes move.

Alonzo Highsmith’s resignation from his alma mater after two years is the biggest story of the week. In a recent installment of Eye on the U, David Wilson and Susan Miller Degnan, the Miami Herald’s beat writer for the Hurricanes, discuss Highsmith’s exit, what it means for Miami and college football, and the Hurricanes’ future plans.

Hitting the jackpot two years after Miami’s audacious move to acquire Highsmith from the Seahawks and install him as general manager was virtually unheard of.

Miami should have given the concept a try, but with such strong, independent personalities as Highsmith and coach Mario Cristobal vying for control in South Florida, it was never going to succeed.

Cristobal will continue to have the final say in all matters pertaining to the Hurricanes, even though Highsmith is returning to the NFL and joining the Patriots.

Jahmille Addae, Miami’s secondary coach, left for the Bills as well, which is likely encouraging for Cristobal’s hiring turnaround. Miami will need to replace one of the best defensive backs coaches in the nation, after the Hurricanes lost two of their assistant coaches and saw both of them promoted to higher-profile positions.

This week, the Hurricanes also hired Matt Merritt to coach their running backs. Although it’s not a very noticeable move, occasionally those work well. Miami most likely needs a combination of young, inexperienced assistant coaches and seasoned head coaches.

Thank you for listening as always, and please return later this month for additional episodes. The Hurricanes will soon take the field in their new appearance as spring football approaches.