Report: Miami set to add legendary defensive player to staff in off-field role

Mario Cristobal is adding former Dolphins legend Jason Taylor to the staff at Miami in an off-field role, according to 247’s Gaby Urrutia. News broke over the weekend that Taylor was in talks with the new Miami head coach to join the staff.

It’s easy to see why Cristobal is interested Taylor contributing to the program. While he’s so far devoid of coaching experience, he’s one of the best linebackers to ever play the game. Additionally, he knows how to handle Miami — playing 13 of his 15 NFL seasons with the Dolphins.

A defensive savant, Jason Taylor was elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017 as a first-ballot selection. His immense respect in the football world — especially in Miami — will help Mario Cristobal give another powerful voice to teach his athletes.

Taylor, now 47 years old, is a Pittsburgh native. He went to Akron where he became a third-round draft pick for Miami in 1997. He was a six-time Pro Bowl selection and he was the NFL’s defensive player of the year in 2006. In 2007, the NFL recognized Taylor for his off-the-field work, naming him the Walter Payton Man of the Year.

Jason Taylor retired sixth on the NFL’s all-time sack list with 139.5 sacks. He also had along with 47 career forced fumbles, 29 fumble recoveries and an NFL record six returned for touchdowns.

Miami loses former tight end to Notre Dame

Notre Dame is adding former Miami tight end Ronnie Regula to Marcus Freeman’s first staff, according to On3’s Matt Zenitz. Regula, currently serving as a quality control coach at his alma mater, will join the analysts group in South Bend for 2022.

Prior to the 2021 season, which he spent with Miami, Regula was a quality control coach at the University of Tennessee. In 2020, he was the tight ends coach for the UNLV Runnin’ Rebels.

A native of Miami, Florida, Regula began his coaching career as a graduate assistant on offense at FIU from 2015-16. He then moved on to a graduate assistant role at UNLV where he worked on offense in 2017 and defense in 2018. Regula was hired as the Tight Ends/Fullbacks coach at Lafayette College (FCS) prior to his second stint in Las Vegas.

Regula’s collegiate playing career began at Mount St. Joseph University in Cincinnati, Ohio, before he transferred to the University of Miami. He went on to earn a scholarship and pair of letters for the Hurricanes on special teams and as a tight end. He played under new Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden when he was head coach at Miami.

Regula will presumably work closely with Notre Dame’s new tight ends coach Gerad Parker.