Here is Rhett's Bio which I posted in another one of my threads:
https://miami.forums.rivals.com/threads/my-smu-sources-re-rhett-lashlee.192153/
Overall, this is a A- hire.
Rhett was a semi-finalst for the Broyles Award. He was a red hot OC commodity after SMU's season this year, and Penn State, Texas, Texas Tech, Oregon, Arkansas, West Virginia, and about 5 other programs along with Miami had some level of interest in him. There are two reasons this is an overall A- hire. First, Rhett is young, smart, and creative. He will come in an implement a Spread Offense; overnight our entire offensive identity has changed. Second, one has to look at this hire in the context of what an absolute shit show of a Program this is right now. HC on the hot seat; in-fighting between the AD/BOT and Golden Canes/Boosters; players defecting..... Sure, there is talent, but there is a lot of talent at a lot of high caliber Power-5 Programs without all of the same level drama. Manny was proactive before the Bowl Game in his search and fortunately was able to land a high quality OC Candidate.
(Definite) Positives:
(1) Offensive Identity: I'm pumped. We will have bona fide offensive identity now. Enos was all over the place: 12 personnel, 22 personnel, traditional I-Formation, Ace Double TE, Shotgun, Pistol... Enos' offense was all over the place. I expect to see Rhett install a RUN BASED Spread Offense, with RPO and some other concepts, 90% of which will consist of 00, 01, 02, 10, and 11 personell groupings. Tackles will be in 2-point stances most of time, a RB next to the QB out of the Gun, and different looks with WRs (ex. bunch, stack, tight, trips, etc.). I don't expect this offense to be an Air Raid 75% Passing like Leach.
(2) Uptempo: My SMU Mustangs were 3rd in Plays Per Game this year (80.8). I expect to see Uptempo as one of the biggest changes to the offense.
(3) Scoring: More plays generally means more opportunities to score. SMU ran 80.8 plays (3rd); Miami ran 68.2 plays (93rd). SMU averaged 41.8 PPG (7th); Miami aeraged 22.6 PPG (100th). Also, SMU's SOS was #61; Miami's SOS was #59. The American Conference is quality mid-major conference with more than one ranked teams, which sent 8 out of 12 teams to Bowl Games.
(4) Balance: Sonny hired Rhett at SMU to primarily install a Spread Run Game within Sonny's Overall Spread Offensive Scheme. Sonny's Spread Offenses traditionally threw 2-1 Pass-Run, and that was a big reason why Sonny struggled at Cal (also had bad defenses). Rhett did a great job adding different run concepts in SMU's Offense, and the end result was excellent for my Mustangs; SMU scored 70 Touchdowns in 2019: 35 Rushing, 35 Passing.
(5) Coaching: Link to the story of Kylen Granson in one of my threads: https://miami.forums.rivals.com/threads/kylen-granson-someone-for-you-think-about-with-our-new-oc.192325/ Rhett also took a 2-Star RB Xavier the X-Man Jones and made him into a 1,200+ yard 21 TD (Led NCAA) rusher. Oh yeah, all behind a 1 and 2 Star OL.
(6) Gameplanning/Playcalling: Rhett was an OC at Auburn, UConn, Arkansas State, and SMU. He has plenty of experience calling plays, and did so at both Auburn and for Sonny at SMU.
(7) Player Friendly: Rhett Lashlee becamse both a fan and player favoritate at SMU, and as an SMU Alum, he will be a tough OC to replace. He's likeable, relatable, and humble. He did a great job with 6'1" 212 lb transfer Shane Beuchele, who threw for almost 4,000 yards and 35 TDs, while completing 63% of his passes; again with 1 and 2 Star OL. Rhett was a huge reason why our #1 WR Reggie Roberson decided to come back to SMU for his Senior Season, and a huge reason why Kylen Granson had a breakout year at TE (see above link)
(Potential) Negatives
(1) Recruiting: I don't know whether recruiting is a "negative" aspect for Rhett, but it is unknown to a degree; it's not the same at Arkansas State, UCONN, and SMU, where you can get 15 commits consisting of 2 and 3 stars, and be happy. I don't know what impact Rhett had at Auburn, but I have read some tidbits that he was instrumental in getting Jarret Stidham (now in New England) and other high caliber recruits. South Florida/Florida Recruiting is mostly unknown to Rhett, and with a coaching staff which does not have elite recruiter, I can understand why recruiting can be perceived as a weakness for Rhett.
(2) Culture: Rhett is from Springfiled, Arkansas, and 90% of his coaching career has been in the South/Southwest, except for a short stint up in the Northeast at UCONN. Although young, bright, and creative, I have no idea whether he will be a good "cultural" fit in the South Florida landscape. Certainly, his SCHEME will be a good cultural fit for our players; this is more from a personal standpoint.
(3) Not A Savior: Rhett is a young, bright, and creative OC who has been in coaching at some level for FIFTEEN YEARS. He has a bright future. But he's only 36. He needs to be the savior for the Offense; he can't be the savior for the entire Program. Alonzo needs to be hired; Diaz needs to revamp the Defense; and we need a Special Teams boost. If Manny both fails and is fired, then Rhett will likely leave too.
Happy to answer any questions I can. Go Canes.
https://miami.forums.rivals.com/threads/my-smu-sources-re-rhett-lashlee.192153/
Overall, this is a A- hire.
Rhett was a semi-finalst for the Broyles Award. He was a red hot OC commodity after SMU's season this year, and Penn State, Texas, Texas Tech, Oregon, Arkansas, West Virginia, and about 5 other programs along with Miami had some level of interest in him. There are two reasons this is an overall A- hire. First, Rhett is young, smart, and creative. He will come in an implement a Spread Offense; overnight our entire offensive identity has changed. Second, one has to look at this hire in the context of what an absolute shit show of a Program this is right now. HC on the hot seat; in-fighting between the AD/BOT and Golden Canes/Boosters; players defecting..... Sure, there is talent, but there is a lot of talent at a lot of high caliber Power-5 Programs without all of the same level drama. Manny was proactive before the Bowl Game in his search and fortunately was able to land a high quality OC Candidate.
(Definite) Positives:
(1) Offensive Identity: I'm pumped. We will have bona fide offensive identity now. Enos was all over the place: 12 personnel, 22 personnel, traditional I-Formation, Ace Double TE, Shotgun, Pistol... Enos' offense was all over the place. I expect to see Rhett install a RUN BASED Spread Offense, with RPO and some other concepts, 90% of which will consist of 00, 01, 02, 10, and 11 personell groupings. Tackles will be in 2-point stances most of time, a RB next to the QB out of the Gun, and different looks with WRs (ex. bunch, stack, tight, trips, etc.). I don't expect this offense to be an Air Raid 75% Passing like Leach.
(2) Uptempo: My SMU Mustangs were 3rd in Plays Per Game this year (80.8). I expect to see Uptempo as one of the biggest changes to the offense.
(3) Scoring: More plays generally means more opportunities to score. SMU ran 80.8 plays (3rd); Miami ran 68.2 plays (93rd). SMU averaged 41.8 PPG (7th); Miami aeraged 22.6 PPG (100th). Also, SMU's SOS was #61; Miami's SOS was #59. The American Conference is quality mid-major conference with more than one ranked teams, which sent 8 out of 12 teams to Bowl Games.
(4) Balance: Sonny hired Rhett at SMU to primarily install a Spread Run Game within Sonny's Overall Spread Offensive Scheme. Sonny's Spread Offenses traditionally threw 2-1 Pass-Run, and that was a big reason why Sonny struggled at Cal (also had bad defenses). Rhett did a great job adding different run concepts in SMU's Offense, and the end result was excellent for my Mustangs; SMU scored 70 Touchdowns in 2019: 35 Rushing, 35 Passing.
(5) Coaching: Link to the story of Kylen Granson in one of my threads: https://miami.forums.rivals.com/threads/kylen-granson-someone-for-you-think-about-with-our-new-oc.192325/ Rhett also took a 2-Star RB Xavier the X-Man Jones and made him into a 1,200+ yard 21 TD (Led NCAA) rusher. Oh yeah, all behind a 1 and 2 Star OL.
(6) Gameplanning/Playcalling: Rhett was an OC at Auburn, UConn, Arkansas State, and SMU. He has plenty of experience calling plays, and did so at both Auburn and for Sonny at SMU.
(7) Player Friendly: Rhett Lashlee becamse both a fan and player favoritate at SMU, and as an SMU Alum, he will be a tough OC to replace. He's likeable, relatable, and humble. He did a great job with 6'1" 212 lb transfer Shane Beuchele, who threw for almost 4,000 yards and 35 TDs, while completing 63% of his passes; again with 1 and 2 Star OL. Rhett was a huge reason why our #1 WR Reggie Roberson decided to come back to SMU for his Senior Season, and a huge reason why Kylen Granson had a breakout year at TE (see above link)
(Potential) Negatives
(1) Recruiting: I don't know whether recruiting is a "negative" aspect for Rhett, but it is unknown to a degree; it's not the same at Arkansas State, UCONN, and SMU, where you can get 15 commits consisting of 2 and 3 stars, and be happy. I don't know what impact Rhett had at Auburn, but I have read some tidbits that he was instrumental in getting Jarret Stidham (now in New England) and other high caliber recruits. South Florida/Florida Recruiting is mostly unknown to Rhett, and with a coaching staff which does not have elite recruiter, I can understand why recruiting can be perceived as a weakness for Rhett.
(2) Culture: Rhett is from Springfiled, Arkansas, and 90% of his coaching career has been in the South/Southwest, except for a short stint up in the Northeast at UCONN. Although young, bright, and creative, I have no idea whether he will be a good "cultural" fit in the South Florida landscape. Certainly, his SCHEME will be a good cultural fit for our players; this is more from a personal standpoint.
(3) Not A Savior: Rhett is a young, bright, and creative OC who has been in coaching at some level for FIFTEEN YEARS. He has a bright future. But he's only 36. He needs to be the savior for the Offense; he can't be the savior for the entire Program. Alonzo needs to be hired; Diaz needs to revamp the Defense; and we need a Special Teams boost. If Manny both fails and is fired, then Rhett will likely leave too.
Happy to answer any questions I can. Go Canes.
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