Matt Merritt Heads to NFL, Leaving Miami with a Key Vacancy to Fill
The Miami Hurricanes are waking up to a major shake-up in their coaching staff. Matt Merritt, the man behind the resurgence of the Canes’ ground game, is heading to the NFL to join the Arizona Cardinals. It’s a big-time move for Merritt-and a tough loss for Miami.
Merritt’s departure caught many off guard, and for good reason. He’s been instrumental in developing one of the most consistent and physical rushing attacks in the ACC.
His work with Miami’s running backs helped lay the foundation for what was shaping up to be a dominant unit heading into 2026. Now, head coach Mario Cristobal is left with a critical hire to make-and not a lot of time to do it.
Tony Alford’s Name Emerges-But Is It Realistic?
One name already generating buzz is Tony Alford, currently on staff at Michigan. Alford’s résumé speaks for itself.
He’s one of the most respected running backs coaches in the country, known not just for developing talent on the field, but for pulling elite recruits off it. He’s got deep ties to Florida, which would make him a natural fit in Coral Gables.
But here’s the catch: prying Alford away from Ann Arbor won’t be easy. Michigan’s new head coach Kyle Whittingham clearly values what Alford brings to the table.
After all, Alford made headlines not long ago when he left Ohio State-where he’d spent years building a powerhouse RB room-to join Michigan. That move alone turned heads across the college football world.
And while Ohio State went on to win a national title after his departure, Michigan held onto Alford for a reason. Whittingham knows what he has in him, and it’s going to take a serious offer-likely a blank check-to even get him to consider a move south.
What’s Next for Miami’s RB Room?
So where does that leave Miami? The timing of Merritt’s exit isn’t ideal.
With spring practices around the corner, Cristobal doesn’t have the luxury of a long search. But the good news?
This is still one of the most attractive position coach openings in the country.
Mark Fletcher Jr. is back, and he’s poised to be one of the top running backs in college football next season. Add in the talent behind him, and Miami’s RB room is loaded. For any coach looking to make an impact-and potentially parlay it into a bigger role down the line-this is a golden opportunity.
Cristobal has built his program around toughness and physicality, and the run game is central to that identity. Whoever steps into this role will inherit a group that’s ready to compete at a high level. The search is on, and all eyes are on Coral Gables to see who gets the nod.
One thing’s for sure: Miami can’t afford to swing and miss here. The right hire could help keep the Canes on track for a College Football Playoff push in 2026.