For what it's worth I saw this from another source online: There is a new defensive coach to know as Mario Cristobal looks to put together his first staff at the University of Miami. There are rumors that California outside linebackers coach Keith Heyward and Mario have had conversations about working together again. In what role exactly? I am not sure. Heyward currently works as the outside linebacker/nickel corner role. Heyward has also coached defensive backs and played cornerback at Oregon State, so he could also fit that role on UM’s staff. Heyward also has aspirations of being a defensive coordinator. The connection point between Heyward and Cristobal is at Oregon. Heyward worked at Oregon from 2017-2020, first as a part of Willie Taggart’s staff and then as a part of Cristobal’s staff. During his final year with Oregon in 2020, Heyward held the title of assistant head coach/co-defensive coordinator/safeties coach.
Outside of one year at Louisville in 2016, Heyward has primarily coached in the Pac-12 with stints at Oregon State, Washington, USC, Oregon, and California. He is respected as one of the top recruiters in Pac-12 circles and has been the primary recruiter for players like DE Kayvon Thibodeaux and DB Jevon Holland while serving as the secondary recruiter for WR JuJu Smith-Schuster. Heyward has also been a part of landing four prospects from the state of Florida over the years. Heyward has coached 19 players who have been selected in the NFL Draft including four first rounders in Washington's Desmond Trufant (2013 – Atlanta) and Marcus Peters (2015 – Kansas City), USC's Adoree' Jackson (2017 – Tennessee) and Louisville's Jaire Alexander (2018 – Green Bay).
Cristobal wants to expand Miami’s recruiting footprint to a more national feel and adding a coach like Heyward helps accomplish that. California finished the 2021 season with a 5-7 record. Five of those losses were by a one score margin.
Outside of one year at Louisville in 2016, Heyward has primarily coached in the Pac-12 with stints at Oregon State, Washington, USC, Oregon, and California. He is respected as one of the top recruiters in Pac-12 circles and has been the primary recruiter for players like DE Kayvon Thibodeaux and DB Jevon Holland while serving as the secondary recruiter for WR JuJu Smith-Schuster. Heyward has also been a part of landing four prospects from the state of Florida over the years. Heyward has coached 19 players who have been selected in the NFL Draft including four first rounders in Washington's Desmond Trufant (2013 – Atlanta) and Marcus Peters (2015 – Kansas City), USC's Adoree' Jackson (2017 – Tennessee) and Louisville's Jaire Alexander (2018 – Green Bay).
Cristobal wants to expand Miami’s recruiting footprint to a more national feel and adding a coach like Heyward helps accomplish that. California finished the 2021 season with a 5-7 record. Five of those losses were by a one score margin.
