Roddy Jones: Miami must figure out ‘operational stuff’ to have success

After posting a 12-13 record through two seasons leading Miami, things are at a bit of a crossroads for Mario Cristobal and his tenure leading his alma mater. The requisite pieces for a successful team seem to be on hand, but can it come together?

That is the question that On3’s Andy Staples and ACC Network analyst Roddy Jones pondered during a recent discussion. And as far as Jones is concerned, getting things going is more on the operation and organizational structure getting ironed out.

“If they can figure out the operational stuff, the communication on the coaching staff to make sure that the fatal flaw, the massive mistake doesn’t happen,” Jones said. “The Georgia Tech game is a big one. But there’s also, and I can’t remember game it was now because it all blends together, but there’s multiple games where they go into the locker room with three timeouts at the end of the first half or at the end of the game. You’re like, ‘What’re we doing? We could’ve used one of those timeouts at some point to try and extend the game. To try and get our defense set.”

The Georgia Tech game Jones referred to occurred during the 2023 season, when the Hurricanes could effectively kneeled out the clock to win but ran the ball, resulting in a fumble and a miraculous last-second comeback by he Yellowjackets.

And given the amassed talent the Hurricanes have, particularly in the trenches, Jones is optimistic that Miami has a fairly high ceiling. That will especially be the case with Cam Ward playing quarterback and Mark Fletcher returning at running back.

“If you go back and you watch that Florida State game, for most of the first half, that offensive line did a really, really good job against Florida State’s defensive line,” Jones said. “And it was really young and inexperienced at spots, particularly the two tackle spots. But if they’re able to replace Matt Lee, the excellent they’ve done recruiting on the offensive line should be able to show. Mark Fletcher’s back at running back. And then you’ve got Cam Ward at quarterback. A guy that was asked to play hero ball at Washington State. He should have more support around him, in terms of a run game and an offensive line, than he did at Washington State.”

And Jones is especially bullish on the state of the Miami defensive front.

“And then you expect the defense to take a step forward, because as you said, on that defensive live, they have Rueben Bain, who is an absolute monster,” Jones said. “He should be one of the best, if not the best player in the league. But the depth that they’ve developed, or the depth that they’ve recruited and brought in in the transfer portal around him should improve them. So I think Miami should be really good. I really do. And I’ll go out on a limb and say ‘Hey, look, Miami should be a team that’s flirting with double-digit wins.’ Because you’ve got the quarterback, you’ve recruited well on the offensive, defensive lines. I think their offensive skill should be good enough. I think their defensive skill should be good enough.”

But even best laid plans don’t always equal success when it’s come to Miami of late.

“The question is: Can you put it all together,” Jones said. “And that’s been the question for the last what, two decades with Miami?”